Cousin Fun in Rathdrum, Idaho

The first cousin Ziya and Kenai got to meet was little Diego. He is Carlos and Colomba's 4 year old son. My sister Colomba is a chef and even in his young years, Diego has already learned a lot from her. Here are Diego and Ziya making a breakfast milkshake.

This is my youngest sister, Colomba. She immediately fell in love with Kenai (and he certainly is not complaining that he has aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents that constantly want to hold him!).
So there's not a cousin in this picture, but the pajamas and the purse are wonderful hand-me-down gifts from Ziya's only girl cousins, Aitana and Acasia, who live just about 15 minutes away. Ziya has scored an arsenal of barbie toys, fun little girl clothes, a pink Disney TV, her own big-girl bed and lots of other fun stuff. The three girls hit it off instantly. I think Ziya is relieved to finally have some girls to play with (even though the girls are 12 and 9 - they are absolutely wonderful with Ziya).

The same day that Jacob and the boys finally rolled in from their long 6-day drive, Diego broke his leg. He got a walker, but he only used it for about a day. His cool green cast with a train track drawn on it didn't stop him from playing and playing and playing! Just like Ziya is excited to have some girl cousins, Diego is excited to have some boy cousins to hang out with! They talked Jacob into setting up the tent in the back yard (just what he wanted to do after camping for a whole week straight!) and having a boy slumber party.

Aitana and Acasia came over to spend the day with us. We picked strawberries from my mom's garden and made strawberry freezer jam.


And then of course, there is plain ole' TV watching fun!