Happy Birthday Cousin Series: Happy Birthday Jillie!

Wait for Baby, Jill is bringing up the rear in the cousin series. She isn't an orphanage anymore, finally she gets her birthday blog. I had to add some favorite family sayings in to the opening, only family will get them and soon I will blog on what they mean.

Ah Jill, another of the ''J'' girl cousins. Jill is number ten in the cousin line up, definitely not last or least. Jillie was truly, the cutest little girl you've ever seen. She had the cutest little face and personality as a little girl, one of my favorite memories is her singing ''Little Ducky Dawdle'' as a little girl.

Jill and her sister Caiti

Jill, Julie, Carrie,Brianne, Rissa and Andy being Andy

Jill often got called by my name and I've often been called by her name. We both are swimmers, though she is a far better swimmer than myself. We both swam competitively in high school.

One my wedding day, my feet hurt so badly in my wedding shoes and at the time Jill was about the same size shoe. So she gave me her shoes to wear around so that my feet wouldn't hurt. The funniest part about that story is at the time she was 11 years old! she had normal size feet and I was still wearing kid sizes at the time.

I moved away and rarely got to see Jillie. Thankfully Myspace was invented and that is when I really got to know Jill. We both love to read and have bonded over our mutual love of classic books. I love talking with Jill, she is so intelligent and we just understand one another. It's been awhile since we've talked and I am missing her writing this blog.

My favorite thing about Jill is her fun bond with Elizabeth. They are both a lot alike and just clicked when E was very young. She LOVES seeing Jill and talking to her. They both love cartoons and reading amongst other things. Jill once wrote a story using E's nickname of "Bibbeth'' and actually created E's own special nickname from her. 

Elizabeth had a pair of purple pants that were hand-me downs from a friend. She wore them to a family function one time and Jill told her ''Those are your amazing purple pants'' and kept the joke running about E and her ''amazing purple pants''. She actually had my mom buy her a pair of purple pants this year because she didn't have a pair. It's a cute little running joke that has endeared Jill to E, which everyone will tell you is no easy feat.

Jill is also a red head like myself, as our aunt Alison always tells us ''you both were meant to be red heads'' and we both enjoy it. This is one of my favorite pictures taken last year

Jill, it's so nice to have a cousin who just gets me and I get her. I love the fun bond we share and am sorry that I've been MIA recently. I miss our little chit chats and look forward to catching up soon. You truly mean the world to me and I am thankful for you.

Cousin Series:

Julie: http://www.julesmpg.com/2012/09/happy-birthday-cousin-series-happy.html

Brianne: http://www.julesmpg.com/2012/07/happy-birthday-cousin-series-happy.html

Sarah: http://www.julesmpg.com/2012/06/happy-birthday-sarah.html

Rissa: http://www.julesmpg.com/2012/09/happy-birthday-cousin-series-happy_22.html

Jessie: http://www.julesmpg.com/2012/11/happy-birthday-cousin-series-happy.html

Andy: http://www.julesmpg.com/2013/02/happy-birthday-cousin-series-happy_18.html

Jamie: http://www.julesmpg.com/2012/06/cousin-birthday-series-happy-birthday.html

Caiti; http://www.julesmpg.com/2013/02/happy-birthday-cousin-series-happy_24.html

Jillie; this blog

Ben; http://www.julesmpg.com/2013/03/happy-birthday-cousin-series-happy.html

Lacey; http://www.julesmpg.com/2013/01/happy-birthday-cousin-series-happy.html

Alex; http://www.julesmpg.com/2012/08/happy-birthday-cousin-series-dear-alex.html

Randon; http://www.julesmpg.com/2013/02/happy-birthday-cousin-series-happy.html

Happy Birthday Cousin Series: Happy Birthday Ben!

Second to the last in the series is lucky number 11, Ben. He is the second boy in the gaggle of girls and our grandpa's namesake. Ben has a hefty weight on his shoulders being the only grandson with the Brown name. I remember the excitement when he was born, another boy to add to the mix. Three grandsons out of fourteen grandchildren isn't many, so the boys were always special to all of us!

Ben was a rambunctious little boy, always into something and on the go. I remember him always with a scrape on his eye or some story of him doing something crazy. He was our little Bart Simpson of the family, cute blonde but a handful.

What a face!!!

Ben lived far away and we only got to see him every once in awhile. I never will forget the many trips to visit his family in Arizona. We always would go to the London Bridge and hang out. Ben and Lacey would give me tours of their house and room. 

As time passed Ben grew into a quiet young man of few words. Our Grandpa was a man of few words himself. I think it is so fitting that he is quiet like our Gramps, he may look  like his other grandpa but his personality is that of our Gramps.

A few years ago, Ben stayed behind to work and live on his own in Arizona while his parents moved to TN.I was so impressed that he stayed and lived on his own with his sister. 

He eventually followed his family to TN. He and his sister Lacey have both acclimated so well. Ben is a hard working young man who has even bought his first house already. He is polite and friendly, I just love listening to his TN twang. I look forward to knowing him better now that we are living in the same state.

Happy birthday Ben! I hope you have a great day filled with happiness and joy! Thankful to have such a great cousin to know. I look forward to knowing you better as the years go on.

Happy Birthday Cousin Series: Happy Birthday "C.. C... C.. Caiti"

The last of the February birthdays in our family is "CccCaiti, Beautiful Caiti" as the song goes. Caiti is number nine in line right behind Jamie. I remember the day Caiti was born, my grandpa drove all the way to our house in Buena Park to tell us she had been born. Yet another girl to add to the mix!

We often sang this song to her as a young girl. So it is only fitting she hear it on her birthday  


Caiti was always one of the quiet, good ones among us. She was truly one of the cutest little girls you've ever seen in your life. Round cheribic face with curly brown hair, the definition of adorable. Caiti was always good, well behaved and quiet.

Even crying she was cute. I love how Andy is pointing to her !

 My earliest memory is of getting to hold her and give her a bottle. I remember she loved to watch "Sharon, Lois and Brahm's The Elephant Show" and sing 'Skidamarinkadink' with her younger sister Jillie.




Andy and Caiti really started the second generation of cousins. Caiti was nine years younger than myself, so I always have thought of her as a little girl until recent years. Caiti, Andy and Jillie really were the three Amigos, they did everything together. I always remember them saving money for pool toys in the summer, hanging out together and having fun just like us older girls.

The Three Amigos

I got married when Caiti was 11 years old and moved away not to long after. It wasn't until the invention of Myspace did I really get to start knowing Caiti. She has grown into a spunky, strong, outspoken young woman. She like myself is of short stature enduring much ribbing from our family about being short. Everyone has to be measured to us. We've had to stand back to back many times to see who is taller. Caiti is actually taller than I am, lucky girl.

She had a friend who lived in my area and actually her and her sister Jill were the first of the cousins to come visit me in my new hometown of Visalia. We all had lunch together and it is something I will never forget.

Recently Caiti made a huge leap and moved out of California away from our family to start her own adventures in Washington State. It was a brave choice that was very inspiring to me, she may not know this but it gave me the courage to do the same myself. I am so proud of her for making a huge leap of faith and it was been so inspiring to watch her soar.

Thank you Caiti for being an inspiration to me. You've grown into a wonderful young woman that I am proud to call my cousin. So grateful to have been able to get to know you as adults, I look forward to knowing you better as the years go by.

Have a wonderful birthday filled with love and happiness. Love, Julie

Happy Birthday Cousin Series: Happy Birthday Potato!

When I started the series, I can tell you this is the blog I have been waiting to write and planning for months. Today is my cousin Andrew's birthday, he is lucky number seven and I do mean lucky number seven. There were six of us before Andy and we were all girls. Andy is the much longed for first grandson and was the only boy in the family for many years to follow. Andy was the king in a sea of princesses, we all adored him and he couldn't do much wrong!

Andy and I on his first birthday. YES, my head is bandaged. Long story.

Just French Fry and Potato

Andy was born with a personality and a half, from the very minute that kid could talk he had our family in stitches. Very few people are born with a wit like Andy and he has used it to his advantage over the years. He memorized movies and comedy bits from a very young age.  His sharp wit and humor are bar none, if I ever need a laugh, I call on Andy.

Such a cute boy!

Our close bond formed when he was very young. He like his sister Rissa was my little shadow and never very far when I was around. We loved to watch movies and tv shows together, quoting them back and forth.  Our most favorite pastime was playing something we called '' The Flying Circus''; I would lay on my back while flying Andy on my feet in the air. We would do this for hours well into our teen years, perfecting our act and making up our own tricks. We would make everyone in the family room at Grandma's watch our act over and over.

My little shadow and I

These were the days. Hanging out in the family room, watching tv and chatting together

When I was in high school, I took French as a language and was obsessed with all things french. It was during this time that Andy started calling me his ''French fry''. Not wanting him to be left out, I started calling him Potato. The names have stuck and we still call each other by these names over twenty years later.

this picture cracks me up. Andy will get why.

I was eight when Andy was born yet this age difference has never made much of a difference to us. Throughout the years Andy has become one of my closest friends and allies. Of all the men in my life, he is in the top four behind Marty,Conner and my Dad. He was the first cousin to meet and hang out with Marty, a story he likes to tell often about our famous Taco Bell trip.

  If you are a reader of this blog, you can thank Andy for being my very first reader and urging me to write more. He has read this blog from its inception and been my strongest supporter from day one. He has continued to encourage me to take it farther and farther, cheering me on along the way.

In the last five years or so, Andy has taken to calling me frequently. I always get a bit giddy when I see his name on my caller i.d., I think it is the sweetest thing in the world that he calls me to chat. It is through these chats that our bond is strengthened. I love our tete a tete's and look forward to them immensely. We share our dreams, encourage each other and BS along the way. He like his sister Brianne is often amused by my odd outlook on life, I know he loves to laugh at me too.

He is so thoughtful, he wrote me a birthday blog this year which was one of the best birthday presents I've ever received.

My very last goodbye in California was Andy. He drove all the way from Irvine to Montebello to come say goodbye to me. We stood in the parking lot of Penske truck having one of our famous heart to hearts.  It will probably go down as one of my all time favorites. It was truly special and even Marty could witness our bond in person. At one point in the conversation Andy started talking about something he was hesitant about. He really couldn't put into words his issue, I just looked at him and said, " I know you, I know exactly what your issue is.'' Our relationship is such that there isn't much we can hide from each other because we know each other that well.

Andy, Words could never really capture how much you mean to me. You truly were lucky number seven and I am so thankful to have you in my life. You inspire me to dream big while being myself. You are always there for me in the good and bad. You have one of the best hearts and are a wise young soul. I love you to the moon and back kid. Thank you for being one of my best friends, I truly don't know what I would do without you.

Happy Birthday Cousin Series: Happy Birthday Randon

The next in the series is my baby cousin Randon, the baby cousin of the bunch. He is the youngest and last first cousin in the cousin bunch. When I was two months pregnant with Conner, my aunt Maggie found out she was pregnant also. I remember saying to her that I wanted a boy and she said, "What will you do with a boy?" meaning that I come from a family of almost all girls and we had only two boys in the family. Then she found out she was pregnant with a boy herself!

Randon and Conner have grown up together. It has been fun having kids close in age even though we live far apart. Randon is truly one of the smartest people I know, a whiz in math with a funny personality. My Dad says Conner,Randon and my cousin Andy are all so much alike. He would know, he spends more time with the three of them than anybody else.

If you cannot tell by the pictures above, Conner loves his cousin Randon. He gets so excited when we go to Southern California because he gets to spend time with Randon. That is his cousin so much that I often forget Randon is my cousin too. I realized a couple of years ago, that I never had gotten a picture of Randon and I together because we always get pictures with him and Conner!

My first picture with Randon and his sister Alex

We are alike in some ways. He has a penchant for the offbeat like myself, he was talking about his love for all things Korean the other day. I keep telling him to watch my favorite Korean soap opera!

Randon is a wonderful boy with a bright future ahead of him. I look forward to watching him grow and go places in life. He is a kind, smart, talented boy with a great sense of humor. 

Happy birthday Randon, I hope you had a wonderful day today. I was waiting for my internet to get up and running so I could write this blog for you. So glad I got to hug you just a few days ago. Hope 15 is a great year for you.

Happy Birthday Cousin Series: Friday's with Drew

Today is my second cousin Drew's first birthday. Her mom Rissa is my cousin, for the last year every Friday her momma has been sending me pictures. I live far away and don't get to see baby Drew often and Rissa has done a great job of making sure I know her. I look forward to my Friday's with Drew even though sometimes it has been a few days later I get the picture. Sometimes I harrass Drew's momma when she doesn't send them on time. It has been a fun way to get to know Drew while living far away.

I have some favorite pictures that I have loved! She is such a cutie and very photogenic. I saved every picture so that I could make a collage and share them with you on her first birthday. A year has flown by and I cannot believe she is one already.

My cousin's Rissa and Drew. Just for Jules with the leg lamp!

Happy first birthday baby Drew!!

My favorite is when she wore a Cure shirt!

When she played under Grandma's table like we used to do

The Cutest Friday ever!

I love the one with the yellow bow!

The very first Friday pics!

Thanks Rissa for helping me see Drew every week even though I am far away. It has made for such a fun year and I truly look forward to seeing these texts every week. I cannot wait to see the next year of Friday's with Drew!

Happy Birthday Cousin Series: Happy Birthday Lacey!

The first installment in 2013 goes to one of my younger cousins Lacey Jae. I remember when Lacey was born in the beginning of 1991. I was in high school and remember being excited that we had a new baby cousin. She lived far away and we didn't get to see her for a really long time.

My memories of Lacey are of her sweet, cherubic face. She was the cutest little girl!

Our own little Shirley Temple

Lacey and Barney

Lacey on my wedding day

Lacey on her first day of school

Lacey sitting on Sarah and Brianne's lap

Age and distance really prevented me from really knowing Lacey well until the invention of Myspace. Lacey and I have gotten to know each other via the internet as adults. We both love to read and had our very own Twilight book club via chat. We love to talk about music and tend to like the same kind of music. It has been fun becoming friends and knowing each other better. 

As Lacey gets older, she looks more and more like my Grandpa's family. I think out of all of us cousins she looks the most like a true Brown. I even was showing my cousin Sarah pictures this morning while writing up this blog and she couldn't believe how much Lacey looked like our Grandpa's sister Leona

Our Grandpa's sister Leona.Crazy resemblance to Lacey

Lacey

She looks like my Grandpa's sisters especially Leona and Eloise. Really amazing when I look at the pictures to see how strong our family genes are.

Lacey on the left

It's been fun watching Lacey grow up and turn into a lovely young woman. She is a very talented cake decorator and just a joy of a personality. She makes me laugh all the time with her witty ways.

Happy birthday Lacey, I cannot wait to move to TN and get to know you even better. Much love, Julie

Happy Birthday Cousin Series: Happy Birthday Jessie

Jessie is the youngest on the far left in this picture. Number six in line

Next in the series is my cousin Jessica aka Jessie. She is sixth in line and the third Brown grandgirl. She is the daughter of my Uncle Bill and the third grandchild to carry the Brown name. She is also the second J named grandchild. We've often been called by each others names throughout the years.

When Jessie was born and we became six "The Cousins" were truly born

Carrie, Jessie and Julie

She is also the first cousin with a resemblance to myself. Carrie, Jessie, her sister Jamie and I all have the same hair color and features. It's kind of funny in our family, the sisters children all look alike and the brothers children all look alike. Just worked out that way.

My favorite memories are of going to Jessie's house for sleepovers and playing with her really cool Barbie collection. My Aunt Donna had saved all her Barbies for her girls, so we were playing with antique Barbies mixed with new Barbies. Jessie had the best Barbie collection. 

One of the saddest days of my life was the day that Jessie moved away with her parents to Arizona. I understand why they needed to move but it was hard to lose one of my beloved cousins. Taking the trip to Lake Havasu to see them was always fun though. 

Jessie was a true easy going middle cousin always going with the flow and following along. She was always a excellent student and truly very intelligent. She was a straight A student for her school career. In college, Jessie became a mother to a handsome boy Anthony.

The battle she faced at such a young age, she faced with courage and strength. She was truly born to be a mother and fought hard for her son Anthony to have the best schooling and resources available. I am truly in awe at the mother she has been to him. It shows when you're around him, that boy has me wrapped around his little finger along with his cousins Conner and Elizabeth. 

She is now a wife and mother to another beautiful child Peyton. Peyton is a cute little firecracker who gives Jessie a run for her money! Jessie works hard for her family and it is clearly evident by the smiles on her kids faces that she is a great mom.

I am looking foward to living in the same state as Jessie again and seeing her more often. We went to visit her family last year on our big vacation and spent a fun day in Nashville with Jessie and her family.

Brown girls: Lacey, Jamie, Julie and Jessie October 2012

I am thankful that Jessie and I have grown closer as adults. We often talk on the phone or Skype sharing stories of motherhood, knowing each others kids and just being good friends. I look foward to that continuing in the years to come. She is truly one of my sister cousins.

Jessie standing next to Sarah on the left. The Cousin grew and grew

Jessie helping me open birthday presents

Jessie on Grandma's lap. The Cousins now had a boy member!

Jessie on the right. Just us girls!

Our last sleepover before Jessie moved away

Jessie sitting so nice while Andy explores next to her

Jessie laying across the back of the couch

Our famous celebrity back to school party

My kids with Jessie and Jamie's kids in Tennessee