I didn't grow up close to any cousins. I like all my cousins, a lot, but I'm not really close to any of them. I did spend a weekend in Seattle last year getting to know one side of my family better - and we had a great time - but still, we're not involved in each other's day-to-day lives.
That's where things are different for our kids. With 11 cousins within a 17 minute radius of our house (and 2 more just an hour away) - not to mention all of those cousins being boys (plus two wives of the oldest cousins) - their cousins are absolutely their closest friends. On the Roth side, 12 grandchildren (plus two in law granddaughters) span from age 23 to 2, with Abby as the only girl. On the Bulgin side, 5 boys - 4 living - came before Abby, the youngest and only girl. (Can anybody say "princess"?) So, my boys have friends in their cousins like nothing I ever experienced. And Abby, well, there will never be a shortage of young men to look out for her, love her, protect her, and encourage her. Let's just say I'd hate to be the guy taking her out on her first date! :)
Last month the Marion County Fair provided an opportunity for the 6 youngest Roth grandkids to spend the day together - here are some pics to give you just a taste of the joy we experience with family. If you're on Facebook you can also catch a glimpse of the Bulgin side with a pic my sister-in-law, Tiffany, posted.
I grew up with my cousins and we are all still close. My kiddos don't have cousins near by that's why we've adopted the Campbells as our's! It works! Maybe after Mondays this Fall we'll adopt your 3 also!
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