Marisa and Marina

Probably two of my favorite cousins! :) Both Marina and Marisa were born before my mission. I can't remember exactly, but Marina might have been born a year before I left which would make her about 4 now, I think and Marisa was only a few weeks old when I left and now almost 3. I got to hold her before I left though! They are adorable, and for the most part, they both know it too! :) I loved being home for Christmas for many reasons but they were two reasons. I saw more of Marisa, which isn't to say anything less about Marina. I saw Marisa first at church in nursery. She is SO funny! She will pretend to be shy sometimes as she did that time. We have a love/hate relationship. That is, sometimes, to my face she pretends to hate me, and she'll hide from me and won't come to me, but apparently when she goes home she'll say how much she loves me and is glad I'm home. There were many times this break, especially with the excitement of Santa, where Marisa and Marina were so cute! But my favorite was my last night. We try to go up to my grandma's house every Sunday and so I went and found my girls almost right away. I started chasing them, and they pretended to be afraid of me and would run until I caught up to them. But my grandparents aren't overly excited about kids running around in the house because accidents have happened before. So when I thought it was about time to stop I suggested hide and seek. We took turns hiding and seeking. They were always with someone. Marina was the leader here, but both of them get along great together and are both really animated! :) We hid in the dog kennel of the new puppy... we hid behind doors, under desks, we even took a break and ate some cupcakes that one of their moms had helped the two of them make. But finally it was about time for me to go, cause I hadn't even finished packing to drive back up to school. So I told them one more game which then turned into two... because they protested and were just too cute! But I did eventually have to go and we said goodbyes... I think Marina understood more because she's older... but Marisa got a sudden sad face and as soon as she gave me a hug she ran down the hall. We found her under a desk she had previously hidden under curled up in a ball... It was so sad... she was pouting, or trying to cry... but at the same time, endearing, and somewhat funny. :) Anyways, I love Marina and Marisa and miss them while I am away at school. :)