Family Christmas

The Best Friend Cousins, youngest to oldest.

Last night was my family Christmas party.  Always held the week before Christmas.  We rent a hall.  We started this tradition many, many years ago.  It started because as my siblings and I had our own children, we wanted our own traditions.  We did not want to give up celebrating together.  We have changed locations over the years.  For a long time we had it in the back of a pizza place and ate the pizza buffet.  I think that was my children's favorite spot.  The most important thing about our party is that everyone comes.  We want it to be easy.
Last week one of my cousins died.  She was 62.  I did not know her.  We read about it in the paper. I do not have contact with any of my cousins.  My family did not spend time together on holidays.  Most of the time I only saw family at funerals.  Very sad.  I always wanted my kids to know their cousins.  I think cousins should be special.  My kids did not grow up in the same time as any cousins.  My grandchildren will grow up with their cousins. 
As you can see by these pictures, the cousins LOVE each other.  Four of these girls are what we like to call double cousins.  When brothers marry cousins, their children are SUPER related.

 There were boys at the party too.  They are not as entertaining as the girls.  They are getting older and boring.  Some of the boys only see each other once a year.  The City Cousins, do not visit our little Village.

 The girls keep an eye on each other.  Coco shows off her new Barbie.

There are three generations of us at the Christmas.  One of my brothers has passed on.  We know he isn't there.  It is obvious because we have leftover hard boiled eggs.  That did not happen when he was at the party.  I heard several people mention the eggs and my brother.  His boys live out of state and do not make the party.  We were able to text them a picture to let them know they were missed.  I would like to think when all of my generation is gone that the cousins will keep up the Christmas tradition.  But, I don't think they will.  The cousins that live in town spend time together all year.  The cousins that live in the city, do not have a bond with their small town cousins. 
We have given our children the opportunity to know their cousins.  To be there to help each other through their lives.  It is something I never had.  I know this group of little girls will know each other.  I hope they will be able to call each other friends years down the road.  Last night they were best friends.