When I was in the 7th grade I got to meet my second cousin from Arkansas, April. We clicked immediately. I even remember her making me a black, red and white friendship bracelet. I wore it on my ankle and swore I'd never take off. It came off two months later because it was so worn. Apparently string from Michael's did hold up forever like I dreamed  it would.

We even went to summer camp together. My mom bought her and me matching MSU/Mickey Mouse themed shorts and t-shirts to wear while we were there, and a matching UofM/Mickey Mouse t-shirt and shorts for Ginger (we all went together, and Linda, Ginger's mom, was our camp counselor).

We had a ton of fun at camp. Leather crafts, shrinky dinks, cantine (buying slurpies, pop and candy from the camp store), and eating food out of the back of Linda's trunk (the food at camp was notoriously bad, so Linda would always bring food with her).

Anyway, April and I hadn't seen each other in like, 17 years. The timing worked out perfect, because she planned to visit MI the same time I was going to be there!  Her husband Brian, three kids, Ford, Loralea, and Mabry-Kate (the youngest), and her mother (my mom's cousin) Pam, came up as well. It was so great to see them! Her kids are so cute and her whole family is so sweet!

They were only in MI for the weekend. Our first day started out as a road trip to the popular German town Frankenmuth! Which ended up being a two-hour car ride because of traffic. Two "alternate routes" and a viewing of Shark Tale on the car DVD player later we gave up and went to Partridge Creek. Which was just as awesome. I love PC, so that was fine with me!

The next day we went to church and then had a cookout. I love having cookouts and I never get to have them  in L.A. Loralea was so sweet and was my buddy all weekend. I'm pretty sure it's because she was fascinated with the necklace I was wearing.

Even Ginger got to reunite with April! Here's a pic of the three of us:


My gram is so cute. We'll be taking a picture and everyone's like "oh, get one with mine, too!" So there'll be a line of new, sleek, up-to-date digital cameras. Then my grandma pulls out her rectangle cardboard camera. Which I love and is hilarious.


I loved seeing everyone! I know we're all hoping to get together some time next year!