The cousins & Grandpa visit!

This past July we were given a truly miraculous gift. Not only did we get to hang out with the Ball cousins for a couple days, but we got some super amazing quality time with Grandpa Freeman, Ed's step-dad. Since Ed's mom died, things have been hard. But time has passed and God has granted some healing and some new experiences and a new graciousness with each other...and I feel like our family received it's own little miracle. Plus, we also get to have his Karen (whom we are so much looking forward to meeting in person) in our lives.

Our time with Ed's family in July was precious. We didn't do much...we explored on the snow at Mt. Baker (because the hike we headed up to do was impassable due to snow) and made some awesome memories sledding! We played a lot of corn hole, ate a lot of food, laughed, talked, played games, and more. It's easy with them, and now even sweeter.

We had some time with Grandpa before the cousins arrived and it was so good to get reacquainted.

Then the cousins came and the crazy cousin fun began!

The pictures below all uploaded kind of out of order...but I'm too tired to fix that. They're all from the same day...so good enough. ;) We had a great time at Mt. Baker!

And there was lots of fun just hanging out at home, too. The cousins did a sleepover (because they came up in their trailer and parked at the KOA behind us, so one night HAD to be spend together!) and we just enjoyed being together.

It was hard to say goodbye and we can't wait for our next trip together - hopefully a vacation to Banff this coming summer, if we can get those details worked out!! These few days were a salve to my soul and a gift from God.