Arizona Cousins

I'm jumping ahead a bit in my posts, but this will be an easy one to post prior to doing all my vacation pictures.  We arrived in Iowa from our Missouri vacation on Wednesday evening, just in time to go straight to a family picnic.  Several of my mom's cousins from Arizona were in town.  Many of them I haven't seen since I flew my Grandma to Arizona in 1998.   This is where Facebook comes in handy--a great way to keep in touch with family across the United States.  

The children enjoying the toys.  

Mom's cousins John & Judy taking a ride on Uncle Dean's tractor.

Then it was Russ & Nancy's turn.

A picture of just a few of the great-grandchildren, there are 33 in all.  Front: Eliza, Eden, Alyssa & Hayley.  Back: Ephraim, Garret, Emmet, Lindsey & Chelsea.

A picture of just a few of the 14 grandchildren.  Seth & I, Kim, Amber, Heather & Scott.

A photo of my mom & her siblings with spouses.  Bob & Marilyn, Dean & Karen, Harold & Twyla, Marvin & Lois.

And the cousins with spouses.  John & Ann, Judy, Russ & Nancy, Bob & Marilyn, Dean & Karen, Harold & Twyla, Marvin & Lois.

Just the cousins: John, Judy, Nancy, Marilyn, Marvin, Karen & Twyla.

It made for a big day for us to drive from the Missouri/Arkansas border to be back in time for the picnic, but it was worth it.  We enjoyed visiting with family, sharing laughter and stories.

"Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful  God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands." Deuteronomy 7:9.