Cousins

In some families there may not be many cousins, but in the Wass family there are many. I have two cousins that are going through some stuff in their lives, but neither one of them complain, they love their families, love their work, love to take care of their homes.

 

When we were younger the three of us spent a lot of time together during the summers staying at each others houses, going to camp (with my Mom and Dad, or Shirley and Rodney), getting ready of important seasons of the year - the Mariposa County fair, and the family reunion(s) we always knew we would find each other and "hang out".  I was the tall blond, Tanya was the cute, friendly Brunette, and Ronda was the pretty redhead. The three of us are close in age, within 1 1/2 years of each other.

As the years passed we had many boyfriends (and a few husbands too!) but we have always remained close. And somewhere behind us was Missy - quite a few years younger, a little sister to us all.

When one of us was going through something we could always count on the others to help, talk to, be there. When cousin Marie moved into Mariposa, she was often with us also. She looks the same as she did in High School, loved by all.

We had a lot of girl cousins, and too many boy cousins too. Kendra and Kelly, our brothers - Brian, Darin and Jason, "Bub", Lonnie, Greg, and Shelly, Tammy and Jimmy were a little younger, Amy and Bodie (the baby), cousins who moved to Mariposa during Jr. High or High School, Patty Jon, Marie, and Barbara, David, Vicki, Sue, Rick, and Angela. Cousins who were a little older Cathy, Debbie and Robert, cousins who lived out of town; Mike and Karen, Carole and Jake, Terry, Steve, Jeff, Cliff Jr, "Spudder", Cathy and MANY more! We even got an additional cousin who we did not know about until we were adults - Ben!

 

We all did not see each other as much was we would have liked, I think that happens in a very large family. We have been able to stay in touch more with the help of the Internet, knowing what each are doing with facebook, email, and blogs.

 

Got to spend a few days with Tanya this week, talked more than we have gotten to in years, but we always pick up right where we left off. Tanya and Ronda are especially dear to me, been through a lot together. Love you both!!

Tammy, Missy, Cathy, Karen, Patty, Julie (me), Tanya, Ronda, Vicki, Marie

Outside the fish and game and one of the many family reunions.



Tanya at a Christmas party she hosts yearly, holding a baby as usual!

Lisa (Tanya's sister in law) and Tanya

 

Ronda holding Shelby (who she babysat) during a Christmas eve

 

Almost yearly a picture of the three of us was taken on a tailgate of a truck - since we were teens

Ronda, Tanya, and I - this is the year we were all redheads (naturally of course!)

 

Missy, Tanya and their Mom (Aunt Pat) at the family reunion

Tammy (cousin by marriage), Brian, Kendra, Me, Jason, Greg, Kelly, Ronda, Bodie, Lonnie, Tanya and Allen at a family reunion

same year - in red Carole, Cathy and Debbie, and Karen

Tanya and her husband Don at Tom and my wedding (look so young!)

Tanya and I (at my wedding)

Marie and kids, and Ronda and kids at my wedding

Tanya, Aunt Pat and Aunt Shirley  <3 p="">