Quite simply, in a nutshell, THIS is one reason why I cannot wait to return to Kansas. See these little people? All four of them each out in la la land and blissfully unaware of the others? These two are the only two cousins Huntler and Gentry have for the time being and forseeable future! TWO cousins. It seems absolutely absurd to me considering I grew up with a whole slew of cousins right around my age and lots more that came along later on, but so it is. Because we were all in the same town and so close in age, I have countless wonderful childhood memories with the aforementioned cousins. Sleepovers. Playing Racko and Bingo and winning gag gifts. Riding the four wheeler. Pallets on the living room floor with a quarter for the first one asleep. Holidays. Birthday parties. High school. You name it, my cousins were around!
I know for a matter of fact we will never live in the same town as my sis and her family. It just isn’t realistic for Chris’ job. BUT…that doesn’t mean that once we make it back to Kansas our kids won’t be seeing these two all the time! I want so desperately for them to have the memories that I have. For them to one day twenty five years from now to be sitting at their own computer writing about campouts in Grandma and Papa’s living room and bike rides to the park. I want for them to remember Easter Egg hunts and fireworks shows with their cousins nearby. It is something I think about, a lot.
{And please excuse how horrible this picture is…it has issues I am quite aware of but I like it anyway!!}
Before I introduce sweet Trig and Taverli, I’ll let you meet my sis first. She will probably kill me for posting these, but since I am states away, I am willing to take that chance!!
This is Natalie. We are 18 months apart. I am older. She is funnier. She is actually down right hilarious if you want to know the truth! She is the mama to my favorite niece and nephew and she also just happens to be my favorite, and only, sister! I’ll take ya back in time 20-some years…
I love this next picture…her cute smile, my adoring little look. And of course our Dad whipping up something tasty behind us. I had so much fun looking back through some of these old images tonight. Remembering years gone by. Remembering the people that shaped me into the person I am today and the people I miss with all my heart and then some. I LOVE how one simple image can trigger such powerful memories and emotion. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that I am doing what I am supposed to be doing and the thousands and thousands {and thousands more} of pictures we have will one day be priceless to our kids. They won’t care about white balance or aperature or any of that mumbo jumbo, just the moments. When I look at this picture below of my YOUNG Dad and baby sis, the only important thing there is the moment that was captured. {But it is fun to see the blue cabinets and ancient mixer in the midst of it!!}
Now, I look like a total {and I mean TOTAL!} goober in this one, but Nat looks darling, don’t ya think? I see SO many of her characteristics in Gentry as well as her daughter Taverli. It’s funny how much one of my kiddos favors her as a baby!
Here we are at a high school Homecoming dance. I have always treasured this picture for some reason. The lighting or something totally grabs me! Of course, it wasn’t taken on a digital camera and you can totally tell, but it is the memory that counts anyway, right?!
And I just think this is a super cute pic of her and our brother, Garrett. And speaking of Garrett…Are there any SWEET, adorable single girls in their early 20′s back in Kansas looking to meet a great guy?! He has a college degree AND a job!! And if Nat doesn’t kill me first, he is going to!!
So that was then…man was life ever simple back in the day!! Homework and “Dragging Main” were the only things to worry about! My how things change!! My how things change…
Fast forward a few years and meet Trig and Taverli. These pictures were taken, ahem, at Christmas and I am just now editing most of them and blogging them. If it makes me look any better, we JUST got our Christmas decor put away like two weeks ago. It has been sitting around the guest room collecting dust since November. I can’t believe I am even confessing that, but it is the truth. I have no excuse whatsoever about just now getting to the pictures other than I simply put it off. There were SO many to sort through after Christmas it was slightly overwhelming to say the least. And then I would forget about it. And then I would remember again but still not do it!! But Chris’ mom arrived today and is here for a few days and I am on a mission to get through some of my own images and get an order placed so I can have some new prints!!
First of all, meet Trig. He had just turned 6 when these were taken but is now 6 1/2. He is a STAR student and reading at the third grade level!! And comprehending it all too! Taking pictures of him is like taking pictures of Huntler…a TOTAL challenge. He wasn’t so much in the mood and getting him to act natural was HARD. Just like Huntler. So, you’ll notice there aren’t a whole ton of him, but the ones I did get are pretty cute! And his mama and my mom are going to love them!
Such a handsome little fella he is!! I remember like it was yesterday going to the hospital when he was born. He was several weeks early and just the tiniest little thing!! It is SO hard to believe he is six already. Time just FLIES. It really just flies. I don’t think I could pick a favorite out of these if I had to! I love them all and for different reasons!! I’ll be anxious to see what my sis thinks!
And then came Taverli. Much like Gentry, she is the wild one in their family. The one who knows how to push everyone’s buttons and drive you absolutely crazy, but then smiles and it all fades away. She and Gentry could really get into some mischief I do believe!! Two little fire cracker girls with wild personalities just screams chaos!!
And she, like Gentry, couldn’t get enough of the camera. I could have shot pictures of her ALL day long. This girl LOVES getting dolled up and working it in front of the camera! Just take a look yourself…
I keep coming back to this next one. There is something about it I simply adore!! It feels almost magical…
And this next one too…biting her lip!! EEEKKKK!!! So, so sweet!
Talk about cute, hunh?!! I can’t wait for our next trip back so I can get them in front of the camera again! I have some fun cousin shots in mind that I really want to see become a reality!
And one last one…a little sibling love!
We miss you Trig and Tavi…LOTS!! And we can’t wait to get back home so we can have sleepovers and ride bikes and tear up Grandma and Papa’s house with you!!
Filed under
sour-patch-kids,
by Bethany
Hi – what a great post! I love the memory lane photos, and the ones of the kids are darling! The photo of you girls and Dad were taken on Memorial wknd if I remember correctly. I think you were making lemonade pie. And notice the Chips can ……….. And I am sure that avocado green mixer was quite stylish back then and would definitely qualify for “vintage” if I still had it around. I really like the picture of Tavi biting her lip and the way you edited it. Off to get ready for work, my last day before a 10 day break!!!!!!!!! Thanks for posting the photos! We love you all! Dad and Mom
wow! they are getting so big! I haven’t seen them in forever! I love their blue eyes! the pics turned out really good! Great job
You sisters kids look just like her! And I think your 2 cuties look like you! Great photos:)
I think these are the best pics you’ve ever posted! Love them!
Oh me, oh my…what a sweet post! I LOVE pictures that take me back down memory lane. Ahh, those were the days when we could just sit up on the kitchen counter while Dad made us a treat
All of the pictures of Trig and Tavi are adorable too!!! They are so photogenic!! Great models for you when you’re home! I am lovin’ all the hats that Taverli has!! I’m sure they can’t wait to have you all back a little closer! I know how hard it is to have your siblings and nieces/nephews so far away…so very hard! Have a great weekend~love ya
First let me say.. GREAT PICTURES! Your Niece and Nephew have georgus eyes!! As I tell you often, I so so so understand where you are coming from. Everytime I see my little nephews or nieces, it is like they have changed completly, and it breaks my heart because I miss so much! When I call on Holidays and they are all there, and I am here, it is almost unbearable! When we are in Cali or Idaho, I just want to cherish every second! One of my best friends Melody had her first child yesterday. We have been friends for a LONG time… before boyfriends, let alone husbands and babies! When I had Jakob she was there to hold my hand through it, she was there when I brought him home, and for so many other memories that followed. Yesterday, while she expierenced all those things, I was 5 hours away, and with every bit of my heart wanted to be there! I know how hard it is to be missing so much! Friends like you make it easier, of course! But home is home, and that never ever changes!!!
you have gotten so good so fast! those headshots are fab-u-lous!
cute pics…and love the glimpse into some fun history!
xoxo
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