Hooray for Cousins!

We just got back from a week in Houston with T.J.'s family. Even though we had only been back in the U.S. just over a week before we packed up and took off for Texas, it was such a fun, relaxing time that we were glad to put our to-do lists out of our minds temporarily and enjoy the time with family.

Thanks to the oil spill our family vacation was moved from the beach at Gulf Shores to poolside at the family homestead in Houston. We had a great time being together just the same, and of course the kids didn't know the difference.

The big event of the trip was meeting Penelope's cousin Ella for the first time.

T.J.'s sister Lindy and baby Ella

It was hard being away in Germany and not getting to meet Ella when she was born back in April. But we tried to make up for lost time by covering her in kisses and cradling her in our arms every chance we got.

Ella has the sweetest face and is on her way to making arm rolls in fashion.

Penelope was very excited to meet her new cousin, but she wasn't quite sure what to make of her.

Penelope kept trying to give her hugs and kisses, which Ella wasn't too fond of.

And this little cutie is Ella's big brother Cade.

Cade and Penelope hadn't seen each other since last summer when Penelope was just a baby. Boy have things changed since then! They were good friends in no time--and in no time up to no good. (More on the adventures of Cade in Penelope coming soon.)

DeDe and Poppy T (or whatever their 'names' will evolve into) were only too happy to have all of their grandchildren in one place.

We tried really hard to get all three cousins to sit for a picture. Who were we kidding?

After take 154 we finally had a winner.

We also inforced a cousin dress code for the girls.

Even DeDe got in on the act.

Beach or not, we had a wonderful, relaxing week. Cousins make vacations so much fun!

goodbye kisses for Uncle Matt