My Contributions For Cousin Camp

I just have a few pictures to add for cousins camp. It is a tradition that I heard about years ago and just knew that I would have to copy it. We have been doing it for about 4 years now and I have loved every memory made. I hope the grandchildren have too.

This year we had the opportunity to expand our borders a little. Two of my nieces came to help out. Thank you so much Aubrey and Brianne, we couldn’t have done it without you! My cousin, Tara, and her two boys Gage and Brody also came from Kansas City. (Tara, I feel badly that you mostly have me, an old person, for your first cousin, but I couldn’t be happier!) They were an added bonus for our celebration. We also had Lacey and her two girls who have recently moved to Colorado (also a second cousin on Richard’s side) come and play.

I honestly think the big girls had as much fun as the little girls and that is a wonderful blessing as well. We are a tight knit group!

Jerianne was a huge help to me this year. I got home about four days before camp was supposed to start. I had been in KC helping my dad recover from his last surgery. Knee replacement, and I think this is like his 32nd surgery! Anyway, Jerianne did a lot of the work. She is amazing.

Each day had a theme. First day was a “Buggy” situation. We had the menus’ even planned to go along with the day.

We started off by having an opening ceremony and giving out shirts and magnifying glasses for our adventure.

We took the kids to the Butterfly Pavilion that I had heard about and we all loved it! Taryn especially. We got to hold a tarantula, (what I won’t do for these kids!) see and touch all kinds of little buggy animals, and see them let the butterflies loose. touching the turtle.

This butterfly actually landed on Aunt Nacky’s finger! Stuck in the spider web! Finding a place in the hive!

After the kids went to bed at night (Nonna’s bed was the sleeping place of choice,) then it was party time for the big girls. Lots of games, and laughter, laughter, laughter, stories, and more laughter.

The next day was our pirate theme. We started off by eating cannonballs, thanks to Aunt Nacky. Pancakes filled with chocolate chips! Aye

Matey! Then on to the treasure map. We played pin the ship and then looking for clues to lost treasures. Next lunch was had and it was Pirate Ships! Then it was on to one of our favorite ocean places, the Denver Acquarium! Man is it amazing. The kids loved every minute of it and would go back time and again. Everything from Jelly Fish, to Sharks, Tigers? and Stingrays that you can feed. (You’ll have to refer to the girls’ blogs because I left my camera at home on this trip) Then on to Long John Silvers for supper!

Day three was our Luau theme. SWIMMING was on the docket. The pools here in our rec centers are wonderful and the kids all love to swim and walk across the log, float the lazy river. Which happens to be indoors, because of all things………………………………………………………….

IT SNOWED!!!!!!! My Arizona children loved it and so because they didn’t bring any warm clothes, it was only March, we made snowmen inside. Navie won the snow-elephant contest…… Reflections of Nonna by Shea and Brianne.

The day was completed with a Pinata which we broke with a toilet wand!!!!!!! And then we made cousin camp pillows with everyones name and date. Thanks to Aunt Nacky and Tia Jaimie, they were a big hit.

We had closing ceremonies and gave each child an award. During this last day Poppa came home and brought the lady who started this all. My what a posterity she has. Grandma Jardine was a little overwhelmed but the kids thought that she was something. They were as tall as her!

PS We also celebrated birthdays and then Nonna fell over! Until next year………………………….