Monday Musings: Family

I am so thankful for family.  This past week was full of celebrations and sleepovers.  We spent time with grandparents, in laws and cousins.  My children are grounded with strong family roots.  I watch Ella with such a happy feeling...she is very open.  She will hug any family members...loves cuddling and joking.  She does this with any and all family members...the ones we see all the time and the ones we see only a few times each year.

Coming from a reserved person, this is refreshing.  Nathan is more like me, but still adores his family.  He has such a sense of loyalty.  He completely loves his cousin and best friend, Christian.  You worry about cousins growing apart as they get older, but I don't see that.  Nathan will also have him as an active part of his life.

The best part and one that I feel blessed by is that my side of the family and Steve's side of the family get along fabulously!  Birthday parties and BBQs are always fun.  My mom and dad, affectionately known as Nonnie and Poppi, love all of their grandchildren without boundaries.  Let's be clear, Christian is right in that mix.  Even though Christian is not really a grandchild. When Nonnie buys an Advent calendar for my kids, cousin Christian gets one too.  I love it!

When I asked Nonnie and Poppi to pose with their grandkids, they pulled Christian into the photo.  This is the spirit in which I want my children to live...deeply embedded in family life with strong bonds.

I used the January kit by My Scrapbook Nook to make this layout!  Love the Lilybee Heads over Heels line...I matted those banner stickers on black card stock to make them pop!  The Stuck On You was actually a part of a square sticker, but I cut them apart to use as my title! 

What a blessed life we all have...as long as we have each other!