This year, in lieu of our annual Koosmann Get-Together-At-A-Hotel-With-A-Waterpark Weekend, we decided to get together at Jill and Chuck's new cabin for the weekend. Our plan was to spend our time outside ice fishing, skating, sledding, and playing hockey. Well, this particular weekend ended up being one of the coldest of the winter so far, so we did manage to spend some time outside, but also spent plenty of time indoors visiting, celebrating Alyssa's 12th Birthday, and listening to the kids play and play and play.
Alyssa made me an aunt (actually, she was born before Brad and I were married...but the sentiment felt the same.) She is one of the first examples of whole-heartedly loving a tiny little person more than I could have imagined. I remember watching her turn over, I remember making her baby-giggle, I remember cuddling her in my arms and feeling my love for her grow. I now am lucky enough to be an aunt to seven amazing children, and each one is so special that it chokes me up.
The Koosmann family getting ready to celebrate Alyssa's birthday.
Mary, sharing her seat with Reese and Emily.
Happy 12th Birthday, Alyssa!
We made up a game where the kids did handstands and they were judged based on the length of time they could hold them. Above, Marni's got it down!
Reese could definitely hold her own too!
Above, Brad decided that his fish-house needed to be moved, so instead of going through the work of taking it down and re-setting it up, he hauled the darn thing (and all of his fishing gear) across part of the lake himself! It took some time. And, yes, I am warm and snug inside the cabin, laughing and taking pictures with my zoom lens instead of helping him. I mean, someone had to watch the kids, right?!
An adorable smile from Signe. I love that girl to pieces!
Emily, enjoying a snack with Grandma and Signe.
Do they look like they're connected? They just may be...
Brendan and Charlie, sledding down Jill and Chuck's hill. Actually, they're rolling out of their sled down the hill. And they're making snow-packed jumps for their sled. And talking about how much fun it would be to make a sled themselves (which they later do). They're 7-year-old boys...they do whatever comes into their little minds!
Grandma was at the top, I was at the bottom, and various children were quickly going from one to the other.
Megan, sledding.
Reese and Emily, sledding.
Catching Reese at the bottom of the hill.
Ice hockey!
It was so cold out that Alyssa's eyelashes and eyebrows were covered in small ice chunks.
Tami and Signe, all bundled up.
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