June 19th - The Cochrans Come a Callin'

June 19th
Today was gorgeous…perfect temperature, in the 80’s…and the sun shined all day. Yeah.
Despite the tumultuous pre-bedtime events, I had the most incredible night’s sleep. The bed in Ed & Kelly’s guest room is so comfortable…I enter a coma-like state. After a tense breakfast (Edmund was completely ignoring me)…Kelly and I headed to Howell to see Jake and Jesse.
Jesse is Kelly’s niece, but she’s only 5 years younger than Kelly. Jesse’s cool. We were pregnant at the same time (Aud) and her second child is only 1 year older than Cammy. Her husband is a sweetheart and I’ve always enjoyed spending time with them. They always send us packages, with presents for everyone…for no reason at all!
So they invited us out to their house, which is on a lake, for a boat ride. I never say “no” to a boat ride! Bear was so excited, but I was nervous, because he kept trying to jump in the lake, en route to the little island where they usually dock. Once we did dock, and everyone got in the chilly (imo) lake water…peace and calm were restored. We had a really fun time.
Back at their house…the kids had a blast. Barrett was jumping on the trampoline, naked. Hunter found a Wii! Aud was flying on an honest to God tire swing, while Cammy mowed their grass with a bubble mower. We could have stayed all day…but our phones were starting to ring. The Cochrans had arrived back at Chez McGrath.
I love my cousin Jeff…when he gets going on the bourbon/vodka…he can be funny, loving and sometimes annoying – he likes to stir the pot. He’s also a teaser and anyone who knows me, knows I don’t take well to being teased. I also have a very colorful past with his wife, Jan (Miss Lavender). So although I was looking forward to seeing them…I was more than a little nervous at the possibilities…especially with my brother so firming in the enemy camp. I would be a walking target.
Jan and Jeff have three kids. Their son has Aspergers, so we were an interesting crowd. The sun was shining and the kids were in and out of Ed’s hot tub and their neighbor’s kiddie pool. Everyone was nice to each other, even with the cocktails flowing (a frozen concoction of Jan’s – Sweet Tea Vodka mixed with ice and crystal light lemonade).
We put most of the kids in tents in the basement with a movie. Jan bowed out early, which I also really wanted to do. But for the sake of harmony, I had to wait for dinner, which didn’t hit the table till 10 p.m. During dinner, Cousin Jeffy dropped the first conversational bomb by mentioning that he missed my dad. That was my ticket out. I very quickly excuse myself…I wasn’t ready to go another round.

Quote of the day: “Where’s my breakfast?” – Camden, fist on the table, demanding daddy cook faster.
Silly Band Award: Barrett (although, I think that Auntie Kelly gave out bands to all the kids, from her own personal stash).