Extended-Family Fun Day

Our last full day on this Maryland visit was reserved for spending at the house where I grew up, with my dad, my siblings, and my brother's kids, (aka "the cousins" to Derek and Riley). First, though, we had to take a moment to...appreciate?...the light dusting of snow that had fallen overnight, as well as the swirling flakes still dancing around in the air when we awoke. I swear that this happens each and every time we travel north in December--although I wouldn't be able to prove it without looking back at previous years' posts, so you'll just have to take my word for it, okay? However, I can tell you with great certainty that I enjoy the icy vista so much more when I know that I'm only going to be seeing it temporarily!

Fortunately, they know how to deal with such minor meteorological inconveniences in the greater DC metro area, so that--even though the temperatures remained sub-freezing--the roads had been pre-treated, and were safe for driving by the time we embarked on our morning journey. Thus we were able to navigate our way to my childhood home, for a day of cousin bonding and family catching up.

Speaking of the kids, they pooh-poohed the temperatures in the teens, not to mention the wind chill, and engaged in some spirited "snow football" in a neighbor's yard. (And if they couldn't exactly, you know, feel their fingers, faces, or feet when they came back inside, they shrugged it off as "just part of the game"...or some such nonsense...crazy youngsters...) I speak from experience, because when I ventured out for a stroll around the block...well, let's just say the sharp, dry, biting cold, combined with the stiff breeze, made for an extremely uncomfortable jaunt.

Anyway, it was toasty and pleasant INDOORS, especially when my brother put his Winter Survival Skills to good use...by creating cozy, crackling flames in the family room fireplace, to warm everyone up while they cheered on Penn State in the Fiesta Bowl. (Or in my case, I made a half-hearted attempt to at least pretend to pay attention....while soaking up the ambient heat). Then, when the Nittany Lions had secured their victory over the Washington Huskies, another form of entertainment was introduced--one that would prove addictive...ultra-competitive...and polarizing for everyone within earshot (and, given that it inspired an alarmingly-elevated decibel level, this probably even included anyone within about a quarter-mile radius...)

You see, one member of the tribe introduced an app called Trivia Crack to the rest of us. If you're not familiar with the game, it's kind of like Jeopardy...but without the supervision of Alex Trebek, to temper the contestants' impulses to yell, taunt, cheat, and engage in some truly creative trash-talking. (Right...that's probably just MY clan...) Basically, you challenge other players, and can have multiple games going at once. The only ones actually participating in the online version were my sister, niece, and nephews; however, when one of the adolescents didn't know an answer, they'd read the question to the group, and accept the most reasonable, enthusiastic...or loudest....responses. In a nutshell, it was equal parts deadly serious battle of wits...and freakin' hilarious.

Finally, the moment arrived for the yearly Cousin Photo. This has gone through various stages, from posing them when they were babies and toddlers, to wrangling the elementary-agers, to...brow-beating the tweens and teens, who should fully well know by now how to quickly, cooperatively--maybe even attractively--arrange themselves for a picture, for the love of Pete! (Seriously, is that too much to ask? Apparently so...) Both my sister and I attempted to achieve an acceptable shot, in between giving the beloved crew constant directions that increased steadily in volume...and level of exasperation: "Closer together. You moved off center--get back in front of the tree. Look over here. Stand still. Stop poking him. Okay, SHHHHHH!"

Mostly, these helpful instructions only served to reduce them to hysterics. (Can you imagine that? Hooligans...) At no time were ALL of them facing the right way, smiling, and/or motionless. And inevitably, after each flash, at least one of the bunch would call out brightly, "I blinked!" and then ask, "Are we done yet?" Oh. Good. Heavens. I almost long for byegone days when we could bribe them with treats, snap a few frames before they had a chance to get all silly and whatnot, and call it a success (or at least "over with"). Siiighhhh....

But ya know, I wouldn't trade any of these...special memories...or big old goofballs...for anything. Now it's time to bid a fond farewell to the northern Mid-Atlantic, and head back to the slightly-more-temperate Carolinas to ring in the new year. We had a heartwarming--if frigid in other ways--mini-vacation with friends and loved ones, and we look forward to our next rendezvous...in the Summertime!