My brother Fran has four kids, 3 of them are boys. Nick and I try to visit their family in North Canton as often as we can. Now that the weather is turning, it’s easier to get down there and let all the kids run around. (Well, Isaiah, for now, just kind of lays there.) It’s amazing to me to know they will all grow up together and are so close in age. Cousins are an invaluable part of our lives and I know it’s true for Nick and I that we love spending time with our cousins. So, it’s important for us to see Isaiah grow familiar with his.

When we see our niece and nephews, we get a glimpse of what’s in store for us down the road. A lot of it looks wonderful. Some of it looks a bit intimidating…

Right after this picture was taken, Zach started hiding in the living room. He finally admitted to Suzi (my sister-in-law and Zach’s mom) that he had swallowed a nickel. Specifically, it was Jesse’s nickel.

Apparently this wasn’t the first time one of the kids swallowed a coin. So after a scolding and punishment, Zach was sent to his room. Jesse, looking adorably confused as to why Zach was in trouble asked what happened. When he realized his beloved little $.05 was missing he screamed at the top of his lungs, “MY NICKEL!!!!!!”

As sad as he was, I couldn’t help but laugh my butt off — he was just so darned cute and the situation was so ridiculous. He left the table with his head down in utter sorrow.

I looked at Isaiah, munching away on tongue and watching angels float around him, and wondered what was in store for him. If he was going to swallow any precious heirlooms or coveted trinkets in the future.

God, I hope not. I still need to learn know how to do the heimlich maneuver.