Family

Another one of my favorite things to do when visiting NJ is to head to South Jersey to visit my Aunt Kate. When I was Kenzies age I would go down to Aunt Kate's house and spend a week there.  It is some of my favorite summer memories.  So now making sure my kids get a chance to go down and spend time at her house is tops on my list.  A few years back we started a new tradition with Aunt Kate's oldest daughter my cousin Maryann.  When we get together we always go down for lunch.  Maryann is a wonderful baker.  I have never had anything I didn't like.  So a few years ago we started what we refer to as "The Great Cousin Cake Swap".  I make something (usually her favorite Raspberry Lemonade cake) and she makes something and we take home our new goodies.  I look forward to it every year.  The kids go in the pool, we eat lunch, we laugh and tell stories, the kids go back in the pool and then we have dessert, and more laughing and stories.  By then everyone is tired and full and it is time to go home.  Cam sleeps all the way home and Kenzie reads.  And I leave with a smile on my face knowing the kids got a little glimpse into my childhood and  I get to enjoy my family.  This year was great because not only was my family all there but Aunt Kate, Maryann and her daughter Sarah was there.  Funny thing is Sarah lives about 75 minutes from us in VA and we both had to drive 4ish hours to see each other.  Spending time with all of them was a hoot.  I can't wait to do it again next year.