On our Wisconsin visit, Sarah really enjoyed getting the chance to hang out with her rarely seen cousins.
She doesn’t have any girl cousins near her age but she does have two guy cousins who are one and two years younger than her, respectively. We immediately dubbed her the rose between the thorns.
Andrew, the cousin on Sarah’s left looks a whole lot like another guy you may be familiar with.
Is it just me, or could they pass for brothers? (Nathan was about fifteen in the picture below.)
Andrew even plays basketball and is a percussionist so they have a lot in common besides appearance!
The day before we left for our trip home, we spent the day with my sister, Ruth, and her family who live on a beautiful piece of land set in the rolling hills of Wisconsin.
Here is Sarah with 5-year old Levi.
I may be a bit biased, but I think he is one cute kid. (No doubt takes after his Aunt Becky.)
Levi took Sarah off to do some bow and arrow shooting.
And then the two of them had some doggie time. (Don’t tell Snowy that Sarah was fraternizing with other dogs.)
Levi’s sister, Hannah, showed Sarah how the gathering of eggs was done.
Later in the day we drove over to a nearby farm . . .
. . . where Hannah’s boyfriend works. (Levi is helping to shovel, um, poop.)
Hannah introduced Sarah to the wonders of having a calf lick her finger.
As the newest cousin, Meagan got the lesson as well.
Our visit ended with Nathan and Meagan running around outside and playing with Levi. I just can’t tell you how much it filled up my heart to watch the three cousins enjoying each other’s company on that calm country afternoon.
Cousinly kin. Does it get any better than that?
Beautiful pictures. I live in Wisconsin so it’s nice to see those beautiful Wisocnsin country scenes. Looks like you had a fun time here.
Sarah,
I absolutely adore the Wisconsin country side. You’re blessed to get to see it all the time!
They could be twins! Wow! Brothers for sure. I noticed him in earlier photos and thought the same thing. Was hoping for a close up! Whose son is Andrew? I always thought Nathan looked like Steve so I am confused now!
Looks like a wonderful time!
Jill,
Andrew is my oldest brother, Tim’s, son. You can sure tell they have ancestors in common!
Thank you so much for sharing the pictures from your WI trip, as these are all the kids of my cousins who I don’t know at all. Who does Andrew belong to? wow I can’t believe how he looks like your Nathan. Ruth sure lives on a beautiful piece of property… looks so peaceful there. Your mom looks good I’m sure she loved having all you kids and grandkids there with her for a few days. Keep the pictures and the stories coming.
Sandy, I’ve thought of you so often over these past few weeks; so good to see your name show up here!
Andrew is Tim and Berit’s son. And yes, Ruth’s property is gorgeous; I could stay there forever. I took quite a few pictures that I’ll be posting soon.
Wonderful times of laughter! Couldn’t resist “playing” with that impish pic of Levi!
Guerrina, love your version of Levi! Makes him even cuter! 🙂
Nope, there is little better than Cousin kin and love. My cousins were and still are my best friends and supporters and the people I can laugh with the most. In fact, my cousin and her family that live near my older daughter have taken on the role of grandma and grandpa to my grandson (in my absence) and it does my heart so much good. I observed that last weekend as I spent a wonderful family reunion for my aunt in Coffeen, IL – special, special people.
Glad Snowy got the hugs he was missing!
Mary, so glad you got to go to a family reunion and so happy that you have special cousins in your life. Family is such a blessing!
I am so enjoying your stories and pix of your trip here. However, I am still mourning the fact that you LEFT! I am so sad! But I am also so thankful that all of you came–what an incredible time it was.
You already know how much I love you regular Smiths, but can I just say how much I love the newest Smith, Meagan? What a trooper she was the whole time, being dropped in the middle of a bunch of people she didn’t know, meeting them for the first time as Nathan’s wife (pressure!), plus not feeling well for a few of the days–wow. But when she got splashed with cow manure when we were visitng the farm and didn’t even flinch, I knew for sure she was a keeper! 🙂 She is so dear, just as the rest of you are.
OK, I will go back to wandering disconsolately around the big hole you left, sighing every now and then. sob.
love deb
Thanks for your gracious words, you old softie, you.
Steve
Deb,
Thanks for missing us!
And I’m glad you love Meagan as much as we do; she is truly a sweetheart.
Me too, you made me smile as well. Looks like you had a wonderful time in Wisonsin, and so well deserved. I can’t believe how much Andrew and Nathan look alike, wow. Two Nathan’s, what a very lucky family 🙂
Nancy,
It’s funny; I didn’t see the similarity between the two of them until this particular visit. It will be interesting to see if they continue to look alike as they got older.
Glad the post made you smile!
Ok, you made me smile.
Steve
I made ME smile, too.