Cuz'n Camp: Boys Gone Wild

We now have had Aidan home from Cousin Camp for 6 days and the normalcy of screaming, running around the house, and general chaos has returned. Aidan and his cousins were at Cousin Camp in Del Rio,TN in the Smokey Mountains , from June 23rd until July 5th. Christopher and I flew up up with the crazy monkeys on the 23rd and stayed for the first five days. The boys had an absolute blast getting outside, fighting, enjoying the scenery, fighting, helping with all of the farm animals, fighting, swimming, exploring, and creating outdoor adventures. The fighting amongst the boys was just a necessary part of having three boys together with two 7 year olds and one 10 1/2 year old. You can imagine the craziness I am sure but the fighting was usually short lived and then the fun would begin again.

First Day of Cousin Camp

Christopher & Nana Enjoying An Early Morning Donut

It is absolutely beautiful at the farm and it is easy to get lost out there, away from a lot of "civilization" so to speak.

View from the second story deck.

Shelly Rock Farm Creek

Nana's Flower Garden.

Christopher and I really enjoyed getting to be a part of the experience and being able to spend more time with Nana, Papa, Jackson and Wyatt. Christopher loved chasing and petting all of the 8 dogs, although some of them did not always appreciate his attention.


He also really took off with his language when he was around all of the animals, especiallye the horses, cows, & chickens. Christopher's favorite dog is Bear, a Great Pyronese that looks like a polar bear.


When he is not watching over the farm he likes to give big slobbery kisses. I also enjoyed visiting with Nana & Papa, although the time is never enough and the visits always seem short. It was wonderful to watch all of the boys delight in the outdoors especially when they were hiking, swimming, fishing, or working on their "Man Badges". The Man Badges were a list of badges they could earn while they were at Cousin Camp.

Earning their sucker badges.

Marco......Polo

How many boys can you fit in one tractor?

Christopher and I left for home leaving Aidan with his cousins, and Nana, & Papa. I felt very odd leaving Aidan behind but I knew that he was going to continue to have a wonderful time and that he was ready for some grown up boy time without Mom. William had stayed home so he was missing all of us as we were also missing him. I quickly learned how very strange it is to be home without Aidan. Christopher was no longer the pterodactyl and was much quieter without his big brother around. He was a bit confused though because he would continually ask and look for Aidan, then Nana, and then Bear. I even found myself looking at Aidan's empty room and missing him. I remember thinking what will we ever do when he goes off to college. Thankfully we have a little while to worry about that one. We would always talk to Aidan on the phone at night and hear the excitement in his voice talking about the fish he caught, the camp fire, working with the hay, and the most exciting thing: his rock collection from the creek.

Cricket flew up to take the second shift of Cousin Camp. She helped provide Nana relief after Nana and Papa had the boys for 2 days without additional help. Let me tell you the three boys are a full time job for anyone. Cricket had a great time at the farm and I know that everyone enjoyed her being there and being part of the festivities. Cousin Camp ended with an early birthday party for Papa and later that evening July 4th fireworks and festivities in Hot Springs, North Carolina.

The following day the 3 monkeys flew back home with Cricket. All of the boys seemed a little older, maybe a little wiser, a little crazier at least in the car, and they were already missing their Nana & Papa. Aidan was excited to see his Mom, Dad, and even his little brother much to his own surprise. Christopher was so excited to see Aidan that he immediately screamed and then began hitting Aidan with his Diego ball, definitely brotherly love.
Our quiet house had now been restored to the exhuberant and rowdy place with the pterodactyl and the monkey boy. Although Nana and Papa were exhausted after the monkeys were gone even they found themselves missing the constant activity and craziness.

Aidan and the boys are already looking forward to cousin camp next year and more time with Nana & Papa.


Thank you Mom and Steve for taking such good care of the boys and letting them come up and be boys in the mountains for 2 weeks! They all enjoyed themselves immensely and I know that they will always treasure their time at Cousin Camp. We all look forward to next year!

Lori