Episode 28 - Cousins Trip

Family + adventure = unforgettable memories! In this episode of Unfiltered Us, we share all the fun (and funny) moments from our cousins’ trip to Colorado. From breathtaking mountain views to late-night laughs, we dive into the highlights, the unexpected surprises, and why trips like these mean so much to us. ❤️

Whether you’ve traveled with family before or are planning your next getaway, this episode will make you want to pack your bags and create new memories of your own.

🎧 Tune in now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to your favorite shows.

✨ Don’t forget to share this episode with your cousins or tag them on Instagram—because family adventures are always better together!

#ColoradoTrip #CousinAdventures #UnfilteredUs #FamilyTravel #SpotifyPodcast #ApplePodcasts #TravelPodcast #FamilyMemories #MountainVibes #PodcastLife

Go support us by following us on socials!

Instagram: @unfiltered_us_podcast

Miguel's Instagram: @wealthy.1

Susie's Instagram: @sdguzman98

Transcript

You're listening to unfiltered us, where we keep it real and unscripted. I'm your host, Suzy, along with my husband, Miguel. Ready to dive in? Let's get started. Okay. Welcome, everybody. Welcome to our newest episode. I don't even know what number this is, but welcome, my love. How are you? I'm great. Awesome, awesome. Hey, I just want to say the podcast that you and Steph did was amazing, by the way. Thank you. You guys did a great job. I'm a little upset about the sound. Yeah. So tell people what happened and what we're gonna do. So obviously the sound was a little off, which we don't know that until we upload it and hear it, so. Or at least we didn't catch it. And so, um, Steph and I were saying that we will be doing a second episode, but this time we'll be doing question and asking people to submit their questions so that we could answer them. And obviously we'll do a better job as far as the Down. Yeah. Yeah. Obviously, you know, and and you and I have done a few of these, so we know exactly how. Excuse me. How the microphones work. And, uh, Steph's being her first time, but, you know, it's okay. And what's funny is that before we even knew that that sound actually would come out like that. You guys even talked about it on that episode that you guys were going to do a second. Um, just because of the fact that, um, it, uh, you guys ran out of time. Yeah. Or you guys had more stuff to talk about. I mean, as best friends, you always have a lot of stuff to talk about. Yeah, no, it was a great podcast. I loved it. So I did get feedback that my chemistry is better with her than it is with you. Whoever said that as a hater? No, I'm kidding, I, I mean, I don't. I mean, clearly people listen to the podcast. And I was sitting here when you guys were recording and I mean, it is what it is. We, you and I have had, um, this conversation about it so many times, how it feels like I am the third wheel on that relationship, but, hey, that's okay. You know, many men wish they were the third wheel. You have a husband and a wife. I do. Which is amazing. It is amazing, actually. Yeah. So lucky you. Thank you. I want to know who said that, though. Hey hey, hey. It might be. It might be the Steph and Susie show from after this. So maybe. Hey. What? You never know. I might get replaced, which is fine. I'll produce it. You know, it's because we laugh a lot. Yeah. Okay, so let's go. So, what are we talking about today? Today's topic is family. Family. Okay. I mean, and I don't I am trying to. Okay. So, like, let me just go back. So obviously with everybody knowing my aunt passed away earlier this year and we as cousins decided to do a cousin trip and become more involved with each other, which is actually really sad that one of our aunts had to pass away to us, realize that we wanted to spend more time together. Yeah. And it isn't that we don't talk because I actually talk to my cousins, not on a daily basis, but we are close, especially my cousin in California. And so we decided that we would do a our an annual trip, a cousin annual trip. Yeah. So let me, let me let me backtrack. Okay. Go ahead. You're missing a couple of things. Um, first of all, one of our cousins, and I'll say my cousins, because they're your cousins. They're my cousins. One of our cousins. Um, mom. Passed away last December and the services were held in January. And so we were in California in January. And of course, we saw everybody out there. And then your, your, your aunt passed away here in, uh, June. And the services were in. I actually had another aunt passed away before her. Yeah. But it wasn't this year. Yes it was, it was this year, but it was a month before. My my dear, my dear, uh. My dad passed away, and then a month later, my dad passed away. Oh. That's right. So there had been you, the the cousin's mom. Right. And then two more of your aunt passed away. And so we had seen we had seen our of our family more often, but it had it had been on, funerals had been on. And so we I remember we talked about how and I, I remember telling him this, I remember telling him I said, man, I love seeing you again. I love hanging out with you because, you know, when they come, uh, sometimes they stay with us. I said I just the unfortunate situation. You know so we love hanging out with them. It was just unfortunate that we were seeing them so often, but just on funerals. And it also happens to have that. We have a friend that we work out with. And he talked about doing that. He always so talk about that because you're the one that talked to him about this. And then that's how you came up with the idea. Okay. So that's that's what I wanted to introduce him to. Go ahead. No, no, you do it because you were the one that originally talked to him about this. Yeah. So there's a person. There's this gentleman at the gym who was telling me how he started a annual cousin trip, and that every year they plan to go somewhere, and that this year will be their very first year that they actually go out of the country. So he was telling me on how he they're going to Cancun. So they're actually I think he told me this year is going to be 38 of them. Oh, wow. If I remember correctly. And when they started, how many were there? And I think he told me when they started there was only ten. Yes. That's right. Damn, I don't I don't think or I don't remember at least him telling me how long ago he started. But he says that every year it's been added more and more. I think the last one they did was San Diego. Yes. And yeah, he told me, since this has been coming, so many that a lot of times they even take over restaurants, that they ended up at a small this last trip, they ended up at a small pizza shop and that the they walked in and like the, the business of the small business order was like, what in the world is like, is it okay if we just take over the whole restaurant, you know, like we'll order a ton of pizza and alcohol. And the owner was like, okay. And so they actually took over the whole restaurant. Uh, and I thought, that's amazing to be able to do that. You know. Right. Especially if you're close to your family. Yeah. Which we are we're extremely close to my my family. Not so much yours because you were the baby of seven. Well, it's there's a huge it's a numbers game. You have you have so many more. So you have so much more family here than me. Yes. And and you know, my sisters. Are both older. And then I have my other nephew and he's, you know, too busy. Is that how you want to put it? Yeah. Well, I mean, I mean, they're busy, you know, they got little ones still that go to school and, uh, my other nephew, obviously same thing, but he's busy with his law firm and stuff, so we put plus we don't we're not as close. Yeah. So as far as my family, we're super close, even with my siblings. Like I said before, we live a block from each other. And so our, um, cousin trip, I put it out there. And so we actually ended up having four couples, which you and I were one, my cousin in California. Um, my closest one is the second couple. The third one was her brother. So my boy cousin. And then the fourth one was my other cousin that lives here in Vegas. So four couples. Right? And, um, we decided to go this year to Colorado. Yeah. Which, by the way, we get along with every single one of them individually, you know, and we've hung out with every with all of them individually. And we've had a great time. So it was just. The perfect yes, together company was the perfect mixture of almost like all personalities, because we're not the same at all, but we all seem to mesh well together, right? To where there is no drama and it's just a bunch of laughing. Yeah, I promise you, I don't think I've laughed so hard and so long because that that tour from beginning to end was just a little laughter. Yeah. Um, the the first time, the first night when we're all hanging out together. Oh, my, my cheeks hurt so much because the laughing so much. Yeah. We had a great time. Uh, so we actually, I ended up planning the trip. Uh, we rented an Airbnb, which was perfect for. We ended up getting a really big, like, cabin in the woods, and we had deer in the morning, which was amazing. I didn't get to see, but my cousin recorded it for me. Um, and we got deer, and it was just gorgeous. The weather was perfect. We rented the Airbnb for all of us. Um, we did trails and hikes and bike riding, which I have to say, the bike riding tour was the most that. I think that was the favorite one that everyone loved. I think so too. Yep. Um, and then we did the first night. The first day we did the seven falls. The second one was the Pikes Peak, which I don't think I would ever do again. You know, I have to say this, okay, for maybe people that are listening. We have been to Colorado a few times before, and I think that was my, uh, fourth time. And that was your fifth time, I believe. And we had done Pikes Peak, but we had done it in August, so the weather was not as cool as it is right now, because right now they're transitioning right on the, uh, the seasons. And so when we went to Pikes Peak the first time, it was a complete different experience the second time. I don't know if you felt that. Yes, it was completely different. And so so we I think we were expecting Pikes Peak when we went in August and when we got to Pikes Peak right now and middle of September, it was completely different. The weather. Well, not even just that it was. Um, I don't know if I remember the weather being that much different. It wasn't. Let me tell you why. As far as the look. No no no no no. The weather was finished. The look itself too was. Oh, yeah. The train, which I like the train better because the train was so pretty. And it actually gave an effect of like, I don't know, I feel like the train looked more like, realistic or like you're actually going up a mountain. The old one. The old one. Yeah, I like, so it looks like a tram. Yeah. This one looks like the airport tram when you're going from one gate to another like that. And so I think that threw it off. I felt like they should have kept it like a train. Yeah. And then when you got to the top, I remember it being more homey looking like, you know, like you're almost walking into someone's home and they're making for the people in Vegas. It was almost like when you went up to Mount Charleston before that restaurant burned, and they used to get a hot chocolate and chill. And it was like old and. That's what it felt like. Now it's all new and it's been renovated. Modern or that. Yeah, yeah. It took away I think the, the essence of how of the whole. Yeah of what it was. So, so on that aspect. Yes. But the reason why I was saying that we, we, I felt that it was different this time as far as weather wise, it's because the first time we went, obviously we had never been there before. I didn't even take a jacket. I didn't have any jacket, I just had my polo shirt that I was wearing. And when we got up there, you know, it wasn't as cold as this time around. It was zero fog back then. Today, this time around was foggy and it was colder. And so I think because obviously it was colder and it was foggy and all that, I think the air gets so thin that it affects the altitude sickness more. Might be wrong. I'm not an expert, but that's the only thing I can attribute to as far as weather wise, different from the first time to the second time. So my boy cousin had a horrible time. I actually felt really bad for him because people experience high altitudes, like really bad, and he was definitely one of them. You could get they say you get anywhere from like lightheadedness, like small lightheadedness to like really like having a hard time breathing. Yeah. And as we're going up the mountain, he was definitely having a hard time breathing. Um, to the point where I saw his lips turn purple. And I was starting to get really worried for him. But thankfully you changed seats with him and he was able to get a little bit of air. Yeah, which helped him a little bit. But I actually was low key having like a panic attack that I wanted to go back down the mountain to get him to feel better. But he didn't want to. He didn't want us to say anything to anyone. So. As we're coming back down the mountain. Once we were done, I was starting to feel more relieved because I thought, okay, it's only a matter of time before he starts getting better, before he starts getting better. And by the time we got to the bottom, he was fine. But I felt really bad for him. Yeah. I mean, again, you know, it was if we would have known that it was going to be different than the first time. You just don't know. You know, it's just it's just nature and it's the altitude. And obviously we all experience it in different ways. And, um. Yeah, but I agree with you, I don't know. Um, now that we've done it twice, I don't know if we'll do it again. If you're listening, if you ever go to Colorado and want to go to Pike's Peak, I mean, that's up to you. You can do it. I think it's beautiful. I think it's nice, but it it was it was, in a sense, two different experiences. Even though it's the same tour, in a sense, it was just two different tours. I didn't I don't I was probably, or at least I actually don't even recommend it. To be honest, I didn't care for it. I mean, if you if anyone that wants to try a try. But I didn't really care for it, I, I think the first time they were it was way better. Yeah. And then the second time was just so it's fair to say you would recommend it if it was like the first time, but yeah. Okay. Yeah. I actually remember the train, the train person, whoever, I don't know, the conductor or whatever you want to call them. Yeah. Um, be more like, stop being almost showing you animals. I remember there was like some animals on the side, and I remember they stopped the train and, um, was like, look at this animal off to the side. And. Yeah, I don't remember that. Yeah. And and this time they was just like straight through. We saw some. Deer eating some big bighorn sheep and bighorn sheep. And they, you know, was just like, look off to the side. And I just I didn't I didn't care for it. Yeah. And I actually don't recommend it. Yeah. On the other hand though, I had my girl cousin who lives here and her husband. Oh, they loved it. They. So from one of my understanding, because me and her actually looked into it, some people actually get, like, a natural high. Yeah. And that was like the opposite effect. A natural high. And they actually get more energy. So they ended up getting more like the energy, the natural high with all the energy. So I actually had a girl cousin and her husband running around like if there was no thing. And then I have one over here dying. So it was like the extreme ends. I was like, somewhere in the middle. I didn't feel good. In fact, my hands started shaking. And, uh, but it's funny how we had two extremes and the cousin group and I. And she's like, I'm gonna go outside. And her and her husband are like, outside looking at everything. And I'm like, girl, what were you? Were you normal? And when this time when we got. Yeah. When we got all the way up there. Oh, no, not at all. I feel horrible, my hands started shaking, I got lightheaded, um, I felt like I was going to pass out like, no, no, it was bad. I, I was, I was okay, I didn't have I felt that altitude and and but I was okay. I just remember taking like deep breaths, you know, like inhaling through my nose and exhaling through my mouth and taking a deep breath just so that I can get, you know, more oxygen into it. Um, it wasn't until we sat down and, like, the cafeteria and I remember I was trying to eat something in my. I felt my hand kind of shaking a little bit, but I, I, I was fine going up and coming down and I, I, I do I did feel the difference of sitting where your cousin was sitting from when we switched, because where I was sitting on the aisle, I remember getting fresh air, so that helped that a lot. And on when you went inside on the window, you were kind of like enclosed, you know. Yeah. So I, I mean, obviously he needed it, you know, but um. But yeah, until that one, I mean, we can. Yeah. I mean that that one. So that would definitely. Like I said, if anybody wants to do it, I know you don't recommend it. I don't discourage anyone from doing it. But it's like they could be like your cousins that live here that had a blast and they wish it would have more. It wasn't just that even if you get the natural height, I don't even think there was a whole lot to see. And and I don't know if it was because of the fog. Yeah. But then again, you never even know when there's going to be fog up there or not, right? So you're paying all this money to go see. Well, if they go and call, if they go in August, if they go in Colorado, if they go in August, you know, most likely maybe. Yeah. Unless it's a clear day. Yeah. Or winter, I don't know. But that's nature for you. But nonetheless, it's beautiful nonetheless. I mean, the views that we got from the train. Oh yeah. The views from the train were really, really beautiful, uh, which you could actually drive up there, but I guess it's supposed to be one of the most dangerous, deadly drives. It's like the deadliest drive in the United States. Yeah, because you only have when you're going up. When you're coming back. Since you're on the right hand side, the car is closer to the mountain, but driving, you're on the right hand side, but you're on the outside lane and you only have. I think you said a two feet, but a foot, a foot I foot after the road. And then after that it's nothing but downhill. Yeah. And there's no rails, no guards, no nothing. So yeah. No, no, I'm, I'm I'm good. And yeah, we saw cars driving. Yeah I was like I wouldn't, I wouldn't, I wouldn't trust me driving it and I wouldn't trust another person driving it. So yeah. Because you could be the most careful person. But if there's somebody, an idiot in front of you or even behind you, something, you know, you never know. So yeah, no no no no no no, I don't know why I thought oh I'm like people actually drive it though. That's insane. No, no. So Pikes Peak your own risk. Yeah. The seven falls that we did, I thought was fun. That's beautiful. We actually did the stairs, which is like 240. Did we do them the first time I didn't I remember we did them then I did it, I did it, yeah I did the first time. I remember going up there the first time. Um, and then you go up all the way up the stairs, which takes you to see all the waterfalls, which is absolutely beautiful. I do recommend that one. It's just amazing, like nature, you know? And the beautiful thing about Colorado is that it's filled with, um, man, just so many awesome. I mean, that we've done other stuff that we didn't do this time, and there's a lot more that we didn't even get a chance to do. But it's just beautiful, you know, to see that stuff. Stuff, things that you don't see here in Vegas, you know, unless unless you're from there. Unless you've gone there, man, I, I highly recommend it, but there's just a lot of places to see. Wonderful in Colorado. So then we also did, um, a cocktail tour, which that was so much fun. Yeah. That was that was great. Is actually the introduction of all of us was the highlight of my trip. So let me just tell you. So when we got to the meeting place of our tour to meet our tour guide, um, he had us all set in like a circle to introduce ourselves. Um, there was so he started, he introduced himself, and then he moved on to two friends that were there. They introduced themselves, and then a couple that was there celebrating, uh, the husband's birthday. And then it was Miguel. Me. So the tour guide wanted you to say your name. Where are you from and what? The reason that you came to Colorado. Yeah. While you're celebrating? Yes. Was your celebrating? So there was Miguel, me, my cousin Roxy and her husband, my cousin Kyle and his, uh, girl. And then it went to Adrian, which is my cousin's husband. And Adrian was like, I. My name is Adrian. I'm from California. And then he dropped down to one knee to, like, propose to my cousin. He was pretending. He was proposing to my cousin. Oh, my gosh, the people that didn't know us like their faces were like, oh my gosh, he's proposing you like that type of face. But of course, all the cousins, since we know that they've been married for the longest time, we all started laughing. And I think everybody else started catching on that, you know, this was like a fake proposal. So they started laughing. And then of course, Adrian gets up and is like, oh no, we've been together for 28 years. And but the way it happened to me was like, yeah, I cannot stop replaying it in my mind. And I keep laughing about it. And then like, obviously then my cousin introduced him herself, but oh my gosh, that was like the highlight of my trip for some reason. Yeah. You know, if I had, I had we known that he was going to do something like that, I probably would have been recording it. But since it's Adrian, it is unexpected, you know, you don't know. He's the one guy that. And he's just so fun. Every everyone. But he just comes up with stuff that. Because even when we told the story to our son, he was like, how does he do that? You know. Yeah. Like, how does he come up with these things? Yeah. How does he come up with these things? Like, what was he thinking? You know, because now nobody thinks about that. You know, it doesn't matter whether you're first or last. You know, he would have done it if he was first, you know. Yeah, he would have come up with that if he would have had the spoken first. You know. So so. Yeah. So and so then we started the tour. The tour was maybe highly recommend the cocktail tour. Yeah. So they do four restaurants and each restaurant you get like an appetizer and, uh, like a bite right from an appetizer and then a drink, a cocktail. And then every restaurant was different, which is awesome. Delicious, delicious. Every single treat. Every single one drink. And they were all very unique. Yeah, they were different. They were all very. The first one was more like dinner, like couple vibes. And apparently it was a chef that had won some sort of food competition. Someone like from the Food Network. Yeah. Um, he beat Bobby Flay. He bought? Yeah. He was like one of those people that beat Bobby Flay. Then the second restaurant was, um. Was that the pupusas girl? The. Yeah, like the Salvadorian. Yeah. Well that it this one was a Latin restaurant. It was in the South Salvadorian. Was there other restaurant? But this was like a Latin restaurant. And then. Uh huh. They gave us, uh, like an avocado toast, which was amazing. Incredible. Delicious. The third restaurant was the the wings. The wings with the. It was a speakeasy. So we actually went through a restaurant into, like, a private door. It it was like a heavy private door that you had to open, and then it turned into a speakeasy. That what it was? Yes. You did it. Were you because you weren't in the front. You didn't see when they opened the door? No no no no no no, I, I believe you, I'm just saying. Okay, so let me, let me say something. So the first place we went to, they gave us a drink that was made with vodka. This is true. And then we got to the second restaurant, which was tequila. And then they gave us the chela. But I drank mine and I drank yours. And they were extremely strong. So by the time we got to the fourth restaurant, the third restaurant, the third, I'm seeing what I'm saying. By the time we got to the third restaurant, I was like, halfway. I was I was happy face. Yes. You were, I was happy. I could always tell one year and then they gave us an old fashioned there. Yes. So now we got vodka, tequila, strong tequila, and then we got whiskey or bourbon or whatever they made the old fashioned out of. By the time we got to the fourth one, and the fourth one was made out of vodka and wine. Oh, yes, vodka and wine they had. They had somehow, someway made the drink where the vodka was on the bottom. And then the wine went on like sitting on top. They looked two different colors. So if you tasted the drink without mixing it, you would taste wine. Yeah. Which is kind of like what I did. I took a sip and I tasted like a diluted wine, but then I left it there because I. I remember telling myself, man, if I'm already feeling like this, if I drink this one. Yeah, I know, so I didn't drink that one. I actually did drink that one of yours. And then Adrian finished it off. Yeah. Um, because I'm actually not at the. I'm only a vodka girl. I don't drink baca. I know, that's why I drank yours. And that's why I drank the very first one. Because I. And that's why you drank my thinking. Oh, okay, I got it because I don't I don't I. So you drank that one in mine. Adrian finished it. Yeah. Yeah. Okay, I get you. So, um, I only had the food. The food on the first one was, um. Sum up in your papers, which were delicious. I mean, I honestly would go back to Denver to try this restaurant and eat there. Uh, the second one was the avocado toast. The third one was wings, which were lavender wings. I don't even know how they get last. I don't know either, but they were so good. Yeah. Lavender wings. And then the fourth one was some sort of dip that they did with like feta whipped feta. Yeah. And honey. Yeah. And like pistachio on top or something like that. It was it was really good. I mean I, I, I, I, I actually thought that was the appetizer before. What they were going to give was. But that was really good. No. Yeah. I, I recommend that the our tour guide Adam was a great time. He wanted to join the cousin group. Yeah. He took a picture with the picture with that. Yeah. No, he was a good guy. Yeah. And then after that, we ended up going to dinner at a place called the Rabbit Hole, which was supposed to be like Alice in Wonderland. Mhm. Um, they actually served rabbit. They served. Duck, duck. They served like bison. Yeah. And then they also have, like, regular stuff like regular steaks and steak. Chicken and stuff like that. Um. Super cute. You actually have to go down into the restaurant like a rabbit hole. Um, it's very, very small, but the food was so, so good. Yeah. I actually wish I would have ordered the steak like you did, because I ordered the mac and cheese with chicken. But it was thick. It was heavy. Yeah, I only could take, like, three bites, and I was done. Yeah, it was super like, I don't know what they use, but I don't know if it's the pasta or the actual heavy cream that they used to make it, but it was super heavy. Yeah. Um, what's funny about that place is that we eat. We couple a couple of times. A couple of us contemplated cancelling that that reservations. Right? Yeah, because we were doing so many things. And I think one I think the guy says, yeah, it's pretty hard to get in there. Yeah. And he goes, you. You'll like it. You go and then you know. And so we kind of kept it. And even though we had already had those small bites, we everybody still ate. Yeah. You know, because the food was so good. Yeah. Yeah. That's one thing I remember going last time, too. And that's one thing I liked about there. The food, the the, um, how do I call the Cullen the culinary art that they have right there in downtown Colorado is just amazing. In Colorado Springs, um, this was Colorado Springs. Yeah, yeah. Even Denver. Yeah. Denver and Denver. You know, Colorado Springs? Yeah. Even Denver. We saw a bear. We got to talk about that. We saw bear. We're coming back from Seven Falls. Yes. And my cousin pointed it out. He pointed it out. We thought he was live there, but nope, it was true. And sure enough, there's this big black bear walking right in front of the bus, going into houses that were on the left, and he was going into the backyard. I think. I think the bus driver said they're pretty used to them and that they don't really mess with anyone. Like they just want to, like, grab food and then go back that they don't see if they find food. Yeah, yeah. But that they don't, they don't really bother. Like if you don't bother them, they don't bother you type of deal. And you know. So they're pretty used to them you know. I think one of the things that we, we should get into talking about right here before we, we finish is more of the, the reason why the family bonding time. You know, the family part of it. I mean, obviously, you know, when you go to places like and really anywhere in the United States, um, you're going to have a great time, right? Because obviously it's just a great place to go. Um, as far as destination goes. Right? If you pick a good one. But I think the most important thing that we can maybe finish up with is the the bonding, the family. You know how you said it at the beginning? Every single one of us were so individually different, but yet we can figure it out and find a way to just come together and have a phenomenal time. You know. So yes. And that's I that's what I think I love so much too, about our family is that. Oh, there really isn't a lot of drama in, and I don't know if it's because, um, if you know that side of the family, our moms and our dads are like the, you know, the siblings that made us into cousins, um, they are very dramatic and very like. And so I think that what bonds us is that our parents are very much alike. And so we seem to come together. So we seem to understand, um, how our parents are. And so which makes us come together even more because then we're like, we bond on the fact that our parents are so much alike. I don't know if that would, if it makes sense, but it's almost like the way I see it, obviously from not the blood cousin like you guys are. It's almost like you guys are trying to do things differently. Than what? Your parents. Yeah, yeah. So, um, I think it's important to start the family. Like, if you can't, some kind of family trip. And some people have it. Yeah, some people have it. Like, I try to make it a point as far as with my kids and now my grandkids, to do a family trip. But I've never thought of a cousin trip until the guy at the gym said that he did it. And man, I highly recommend it because I think kids know kids. We don't take kids. Kids, uh, there is my cousin that lives here, does have two small ones, and she did have to have, um, the two grandmas help her take them. Yeah. And I was telling my girl cousin that, um, because of course, she was like. Nah, I don't want to say sad. I mean, she was a little nervous about leaving them, especially because they're so little. Um, but she was like, look, sometimes I need time for myself, too. Like, right, you get lost as a mom and you. And when you become a mom, it's almost like it's just them, them, them, them, them. And you forget that maybe. Hey, sometimes it isn't so bad to take time for yourself. And that's exactly what she did. And so I told her. Absolutely. Like that's the way it should be. You should be able to take time for you and your husband, you know, the get away as a couple and to understand that that's okay to do that every once in a while. Um, thankfully, when my kids were little, your mom was alive, and she helped us a lot when it came to that. So if we wanted to do like a weekend getaway, we did, because a lot of couples, I feel, get lost. Yeah. In, um, raising children that they forget how to be a couple even. Yeah. And you sometimes need that bonding time, um, for yourselves. And don't feel guilty about it. Right. And I, we did that a lot as our kids were small. And I think that that's what helped our relationship even, like, get closer because we were able to still spend time as a couple. Yeah. Together. And hey, if you could have, like, other family members that are adults like you and you guys could all have a great time, like, why not? Yeah. There was, um, now that you went back to the the times that we took the kids on trips. Obviously we there was a lot of trips we took. We took them with. But there were some that it was just you and I, you know, and I, I don't know if we've ever I don't think we've ever done a trip where it's been um, obviously family, not siblings, but cousins. Right. Like this. There's never been anything like that. We have travel with other couples before, um, to other places, but nothing like this. And so, yes, you're still going to have your family trips? Yes, we're still going to have our family. And what? I mean, our families, you, me, our two kids, and obviously the at least that's boyfriend and kids, right. And and our son. And so those trips are going to continue to still be there. But I think it's so important for you guys to especially if you're close with your cousins, right, to do those kind of trips like that and to build the memories and to spend time together and, and, and to be honest, I think this trip I think I heard you said this earlier today, How it's actually somewhat brought us closer. Yeah, right. Because now we have a little text group chat and we post things all the time. I would make fun of you there this morning. Yes, but it was a good one. I was on this trip for sure. Like the drill sergeant? Yes, you were, but I'm the tiny girl time like I am a person. That's always on time. Um, I'm. I'm. I get anxiety to be late somewhere. Especially if somebody. Yeah, that's the one thing. Well, you know, you gotta remember, there's eight of us and. Yes. And and so it it not everyone's up at the same time. Yeah. It's getting ready at the same time. But that's why I made sure like before we fell asleep, I was like, we're leaving at, you know, like 1030. So there's a liberty, there's a, there's a, there's a limit on the bathrooms, you know. And so people I mean, the only one that had to struggle was like me, you and my cousin and her husband because we we shared the one bathroom, but the other two couples actually had their own bathrooms. Well, they still had to share it themselves. Yeah, but turn with your man. I mean, you could take a shower together. There's nothing wrong with that. I mean, you and I. You save water, you save time. So many things. No, but you know what? Yeah. So going back to that, I think it's it's definitely made us closer. And we we hadn't even finished the, the this trip when we're already talking about the second one and where we're going and yeah, the things that we're going to do and um, we know that there might be like maybe your sister Cindy, my maybe joining us on the next one and low key, I was telling my this cousin trip, like, I almost don't want to add anyone like this. This group, like, gets along really well. And, you know, like, we understand each other. And sometimes when you start to add more people, like, it's like it can be too much, it can disturb the vibe. Yeah. And they can disturb. But you know this, that's why you pick and choose, right? I mean, but we did extend the invitation. They just obviously couldn't choose not to. Yeah, well they couldn't do it. Um, I like to think they chose not to. Because if you really ever want to do something, you could do it. That's true too. But I mean, we're we're in a different position. They have little ones still in school and I. And again, you're right. I know what you're saying. They could have if they wanted to. They could have done it. No no no no doubt about that. But I just think it's amazing. I think it was a great trip. I love again every single one of them. There are so many videos, so many memories, so many things that you can. That we're going to take, you know, every single one of us. I only know my only regret is I wish we would have done like some TikTok. Mhm. Once I started talking to my daughter today about our trip and all the things, she was like, oh, you should have done this TikTok and you should have done this TikTok. And I'm like, where are you going? There is there's still a ton of pictures and photos and videos that, um, we haven't posted, you know, because even though, yeah, we, we, we were recording some things, nobody was really on their phones, you know, everybody was busy, everybody was on it. Everybody was, you know. No. Yeah. But TikToks are fun to recreate, like ones that like she said, you should have done the one where like, hi, my name is Susie and I. Oh, that's what I wanted to say. I wanted to say how every person, including myself. Because for people that don't know, I think we talked about it in one of the episodes. How you plan everything. I just show up. Yeah. And I didn't know what the house looked like, I don't think I don't think I saw what the house looked like until we got there. Um, but every person that went, including me, told you how great of a job you did. Uh, on planning everything from A to Z, from the getting there and the time, the airfare. Um, everyone was pretty much there. The same time getting there, same time going back. Um, let me see what else the the, uh, the house, the activities that we did, the timing of the activities, the the everything, the days, everything. The times that we chill at the house, the times that we did this, the time that we did that. You were like the perfect trip coordinator. So you are for hire. Okay? Anyone needs a trip plan. Hire my wife. She will do it and she will do a great job at it. Yeah. So I was definitely the drill sergeant. So your budget has to be. Big one. I don't think we spent that much money as we, you know, I, I feel like it was a pretty decent trip. Like it wasn't super expensive. The one that we're planning on or rethinking on for next year is definitely going to be way more money. So hold on to your checkbook therapy. And, uh, that's if we we go to where we're thinking, I don't want to say where we're thinking, because just in case we change our minds. But I'm excited for it. I'm excited for the annual trip. Yeah. That's all. Anything else you want to add? I mean, this was obviously like you said, you know, this were, you know, the the thing I was thinking about also it's man how obviously they're these these are your cousins. Right. And you've known them your whole life. Us the partners that were there with you guys that were blood related. We came into your guys's life, you know, way later at a at a later time. But how amazing is that? You know, to have your cousins like that, that you get along very well going trips like that. And obviously again there are family too. But I was thinking, man, imagine if I was to go on trips with my cousins that I grew up with and their spouses. You know, first of all, we don't have that connection. Number one. Number two, not not all of us live in the same city, you know, and it's not I don't want to say strangers, but it's just something that's just missing. And again, there might be somebody listening today that might say, oh yeah, we got that and we got it even better. But for me, looking at all of that and being a part of your family and being able to make them our family and being able to bond like that, man, it's a it's it's a plus. It really is a blessing. I think my family is great at, um. Including you, making you feel like you're a part of it and not like a plus one. You're right. Is it really? We're really great. Even from my siblings to my cousins to anybody making you feel like you are part of the family and not just another person, you know? Yeah. So. Correct. I mean, we. Yeah. I mean, I love it, I, I love that I mean, we've been together 30 years, so, you know, but still not to say that it's your guys are not my family because you guys are. But it's just awesome to see that, you know, with your blood cousins that you grew up with since you were little and you known them, and now you get a chance to do that. And yeah, some of us just don't have that luxury. Yeah, but if you do, I highly recommend a cousin trip 100%. And if you need help planning it, I'm your girl. Reach out. And then also. So, um, for those of you guys that are still here with us, we're going to be doing Steph part two. Yeah. And then submit questions. Right. So send us a DM on Instagram or text message to me and Susie. If you have our numbers and then sending questions, we're going to post when we're going to reshoot. Number two, we have to see what staff schedule looks like. And yeah, hopefully we'll have enough questions by then. So start sending them in or start saving them. And then we'll record number two. And then we'll we'll let you guys know what the answers to those questions are. Yep. Awesome. Then anything else? Nope. Okay, guys, don't forget plan your trips with your family. Life is short. Make it happen. Love on them. Love you guys too. All right. Goodbye. Thanks for tuning into this episode of Unfiltered Us. If you enjoyed this conversation, don't forget to hit that follow button so you never miss an episode. We'd love to hear your thoughts, drop a comment, and join in the conversation. If you think someone else will enjoy today's chat, go ahead and share this episode with them. Your support means the world to us. Until next time, stay real and stay unfiltered.