Here is where I sheepishly admit how behind I am at blogging “real life” events. My cousin and his girlfriend got engaged this past July, and the engagement party was Columbus Day Weekend. That’s right. In October. So any references to nicer weather and October are not a strange accident, but the work of a procrastinator (who is, currently, procrastinating as I need to vacuum the bedroom right now but am instead doing this… it’s amazing how much I can get done when I need to be doing something else).

With one wedding done, we turn our attention to the next one! Shortly before Lindsay’s wedding, my cousin Jordan and his girlfriend Colette got engaged. On Columbus Day weekend, we headed out to celebrate with them. Colette’s mom hosted the lovely party, complete with “the tackiest cake possible” (what Colette asked for specifically):

A very nice job was done on the tackiness front: a beach scene complete with silhouette chocolate people (and dog!), and shells and various other sea paraphernalia on the side.

The evening passed pleasantly, with good food and good company. And of course, it wouldn’t be a family gathering without cousins photos:

The weekend was finished off with a stay at my aunt and uncle’s house, much like we used to when we were kids. For years, we would visit each other and have elaborate adventures and sleepovers. Growing up with cousins is one of the greatest things ever. My sister and I are very close to our cousins on both sides of the family, and we always have been, despite the wide age difference (there’s ten years between some of us, and a twenty year difference between myself and my youngest cousin; he, in fact, is currently a student at the school where I teach!). We’ve always been there for each other, and celebrate with each other, and I expect that to continue now that the new generation is starting.

So, congratulations to the happy couple, and I can’t wait until the wedding!