June 01, 2006

The traditional JESS photo

My extended family spends quite a bit of time together both at home and up at camp so the cousins know each other very well. The grandchildren are sort of naturally divided into groups. The oldest four call themselves JESS, an acronym based on their names. The fifteen-year-old group, Shaggy Hair Boy, Blonde Niece, and Drama Niece, are called the middles. Then the youngest three are called the littles, a nickname that they are protesting as they get older. Eleven-year-old Suburban Nephew considers it an insult to be called little. I mean, eleven years old is practically a grown up.

Although I told no one about it, some family members have gradually discovered my blog, and this last weekend when we were all together at camp, it became apparent that the younger generation at least all know about it. I was taking a quick photo of JESS when one of them yelled, "Hey, everyone turn and hide your face so she can put us on the blog."

So here they are. Boy in Black, although he is by far the tallest, is still somehow overshadowed by his sister and his cousins. You can just see the top of his head. And the women in the photo, from left to right, are Wonderful Smart Beautiful Daughter, Schoolteacher Niece, and Red-haired Niece.

JESS

11 comments:

EmmaNadine said...

I have five siblings. There are the three big kids and then there was an eight year gap, and then there are the three little kids. The youngest of the little kids is now 27 and an officer in the Marine Corps. Yeah, I'm going to be one of the little kids until I die, and there's nothing I can do to change it. Tell Suburban Nephew to turn it into a badge of honor.

Mona Buonanotte said...

I have 15 cousins on my dad's side, so reunions are like a crazy love-in. It was quite a big deal to graduate from the card-table 'little kids table' at Thanksgiving to the Adult table, with real china and silverware.

This photo rawks! Even though we can't see their faces, we know these kids are the coolest!

ccw said...

I love this picture!

Coffee-Drinking Woman said...

I just love your family, jo(e). Such life in all of you.

Yankee, Transferred said...

Funny how even hidden you can see the energy in the kids. Great photo!

Anonymous said...

Such great hair genes in your family.

BeachMama said...

Another great photo. The hair in your family is just amazing, any hair care tips you guys should be sharing??

Liz Miller said...

I love these photos.

Look at how poised they all look.

Anonymous said...

Interesting picture. I like the poses, would they have done the same if they were looking at the camera?

Anonymous said...

Suburban Nephew is just going to be stuck with that "little" title, I'm afraid. In my family, I'm the oldest, my sister is 2.5 years younger, and my brother is 2.6 years younger than my sister. Despite the incredibly even spacing, we've always been "Olivia and the little kids", even after I went to college. (I always felt lucky at getting the named spot!)

halloweenlover said...

You make me want to go camping! And you further cement my desire to have 4 kids!

Love the picture.