Paynes at the Pool

Josiah and Reese

We were so excited to have a week filled with family for the week of Independence Day.  My entire family came here to celebrate Pop's retirement for the first of the week.  It was so blazing hot that we spent 99% of our time in Nonie and Pops pool lathering in 30 SPF.

Payne and Addelyn

Rebecca and Anna Blair

Anna Blair and Rebecca tossing Addelyn

The kids had a great time playing in the pool.  The older ones loved throwing the younger ones and the younger uncles and aunts had fun (right guys?) throwing the cousins.  See?  I have told my younger siblings for years that all things come full circle.  All those years of them doing "Fast Piggy" (piggy back rides sprinting, for those who don't know that Payne-family term) when they came to visit would all pay off because one day the firstborn cousins would be the ones to give their children Fast Piggy rides.

Uncle Justin tossing Leah

Uncle Justin tossing Julianna

Uncle Eric tossing Leah

Anna Blair and Rebecca tossing Julianna who is prepared for holding her breath!

Leah - mid air

Leah - no turning back

Ruth must have watched Julianna's example of breath holding

And that would be Josiah mid-air

And here are all the cousins!!  Funny to think that the Payne kids grew up with 2 cousins whom we barely got to spend time with and here's what we have now.  I'm convinced from pure observation that cousins have got to be one of the best things since sliced bread!  And just for anyone who wants to know who is whose, I will go left to right.  Ruth, Caleb, Lydia, Leah (all Fish Sticks), Julianna & Christian (Katie's), James on floor and Reese in Anna Blair's lap (Justin's), Rebecca (Katie's) holding Addelyn (Rachel's).  Back row is Josiah standing up and Payne (Rachel's) with the big smile on his face.  :) 

With the 4 Payne kids taking photos, be prepared for several more posts of our 4 days together!