A lot like Hannah Montana...

...Teagan has the best of both worlds. She's the first of the first on my side, so enjoys gifts and attention galore as the only niece & granddaughter. I love watching her interact with my family and seeing them as aunts, uncles & grandparents. LOVE. And on the other side, she's lucky #13 of 15 grandchildren and so enjoys the benefits of playing with adorable littles her age and learning from older, wiser kids who also happen to be family. I couldn't get enough of watching her with her cousins at our Richards reunion.

Emma took Teagan under her wing like a mother hen. It was adorable to watch and SO relaxing knowing she was in good hands. From helping with the bedtime routine to watching her so I could participate in the fun, I was so glad to have her around. I'm thinking about adopting a 10 year old of my own.

Particularly sweet are the 3 cousins born within 7 months of eachother. Teagan was born in October, Sam in January and Camden in May. As adorable as it was seeing them lay next to eachother when they were babies, it's become infinitely sweeter  now that their personalities are shining through and they can actually enjoy one another's company. 

We were fortunate enough to share a cabin with the Taylors, so Cam and Teagan got to spend some quality time together, watching Signing Time, eating and blowing bubbles. Oh, and kissing. That came toward the end of the week - there was some warming up to do. He was so happy to share his toys, bubbles, food and anything else with Teagan. Camden is such a sweet, obedient little boy who is so quick to learn - a good influence to be sure.

Sam and Teagan could not get enough of eachother. There was a whole lot of hugging and kissing, and Brenda was quick enough to catch a incredibly sweet photo.

 

When his arms weren't around her, his hands were in her hair. Sam would follow Teagan around, playing with her hair the same way cats tend to play with balls of yarn.

And Teagan can learn a lot from him. With 4 older siblings, he is aware of so much around him that it embarrassed me that Teagan doesn't know or think about planes or bugs or any of the hundreds of other things he can identify. She loved him so much she even let him sit with her while she pooped - she doesn't let me get within 50 feet...although lately, that isn't necessarily a bad thing.

Although they're all living far apart, I hope that these three grow to become wonderful friends and influence eachother for good.

And I'm so glad that Teagan will be able to turn around and be a great cousin to the sweet souls waiting to join the Haw family as well. Like I said: the best of both worlds. And her blonde hair isn't even a wig!