Cousin Camp!



Yep, it's that time of the year again- Cousin Camp with all the Lawlers! This year we headed to Pacific Beach on the Olympic peninsula over the Mother's Day weekend. The weather held out with occasional sun and only minimal rain and, strangely, the ocean water was actually rather warm. There were even a couple of surprise visits from cousins very far away that nobody was expecting to be there- very fun!

Uncle Chris did some impressive sand-scaping.

 

 

Since it's already 100 degrees in CA, it was difficult finding Nathan something warm that would fit him. This was the only sweatshirt we could get. Notice the gold tooth on the monster... classy!

 

The next generation of cousins had all kinds of fun rolling down the hills and running around like crazy people behind our beach houses.

 

"Tag! You're it!"

 

"I always end up being 'it'. Gosh!"

 

 

Aunt Elaine got some cool beach gear for the kids, including sunglasses and hats with giant cranes on them. Perfect!

 

She even knew the right sizes to get.

 

Even Amy was... well, we aren't really sure.

 

Nothing like a good, old fashioned digging-to-China competition!

 

Nathan was really upset here because he got sand glued to his leg. HE DID NOT LIKE THAT!

 

It was actually pretty warm on the beach, but Jack decided he was cold. We knew the cure for that!

 

Super Grammy brought her official tea party gear with her. In a training session for the big event, everyone played tea party on the iPad.

 

Here are the big kids waiting patiently as the table was being set. Super Grammy had made real tea and promised the kids they would be able to add their own sugar! Jack had never been invited to a real tea party before so we weren't too sure how this was going to go down. Manners are VERY important at a tea party after all.

 

First, Jack used his sugar spoon to "eat" his tea just like cereal.

 

Once that behavior was corrected, Jack tried to impress everyone by lapping up the tea in his cup "like a cat." Super Grammy did not approve.

 

But poor Jack was so proud of himself for his excellent tea party skills!

 

Finally, it took a really stern talking-to for her to instill the notion of proper tea party etiquette.

 

When Nathan showed up at the tea party, it was described as "Godzilla arriving in Tokyo" and the tea party promptly ended!

 

In keeping with Jack's cat theme from earlier, Cousin Molly fashioned him a tail from a balloon.

 

This centerfold picture will be blackmail for future use.

 

The entire gang all rounded-up and actually looking at the camera at the same time!

 

Here's all the little cousins. Jack was asking for a little help with Cousin Matthew (center).

 

Nathan passing some gas. Future invites for tea parties were promptly rescinded.

 

All the older cousins all rounded-up and actually looking at the camera at the same time!

 

After we were officially dismissed from Cousin Camp, we headed back to Tacoma for a Mother's Day dinner with Gramma Jean. She was super excited to have the kids around and refused to let go of Nathan the entire time. Diaper and wardrobe changes were a real challenge.