The Richardsons

Video #5

"There is a process that only the Richardsons know about every season. While most people get ready for the new season by freshening up their houses or decorating, my family takes that term a little differently."

Whenever a new season begins, we switch houses.

Yeah, you heard that right, switching houses.

My family technically owns about 100+ houses across the world, most of which are under my father and Pablo's company. However, there are 5 houses that we bought out on our own. Let me explain.

We have a little system called a "house rotation" that involves my mother's parents, my mother's cousins, my father's cousins, and us. The house we are staying at is called "the summer house" and it's only used by my household.

Every time, we meet up at the summer house and we chill for a little before we go to our houses. Often in the middle of the night. It's like taking a road trip and stopping at a hotel.

I turn off my camera and close my laptop when I hear the doorbell ring. I go down the stairs and my mother's cousins and my grandparents are there.

"Kat!"

One of the cousins hugs me.

The cousin has yellowish blonde hair and is a little bit shorter. Her name is Sophie and she's about my age. Along with her family is her older sister, Jordon who is an art major at Rhode Island School of Design and their parents who are low key hipsters.

My grandparents come in not long after.

To describe them, my grandmother is very traditional and can be a little cold. My grandfather is way more out there and likes the fact that I do what I want when I want. Trust me, I've seen worse. It's not that bad.

They are my family, and everybody is different. Not everybody is cuddly as can be, but everybody's different. It's just how life functions.

I quickly went upstairs to grab my bag when I heard the front door slam open.

"Hellooooooo! Tallyho!"

My father's cousins are here.

They have a tendency for being pretty much late for everything. Because they have 2 little kids, it always makes them even later.

Let me introduce you to all of them. My cousins Sophie and Jordan are the Van family. A very chill and loose like family. Sophie is the cousin that I am closest with. Jordan is great as well. Alexa doesn't like Jordan because Jordan can be a little bit out there, and Alexa doesn't think that suits her.

My mother's grnadparents are both a little bit stiff, they do love each other a lot. However, my  grandmother can be a little bitter and traditional, it's clear that she favors Alexa over me because she's more ladylike than me. As in, she wears skirts and dresses and tries to look good while my hair is always in a messy ponytail and I'm always in sweats.

And finally, the Harnes. Uncle JJ as we call him is a master with the grill, he can grill absolutely anything. But then again, they only eat grilled, frozen, and whatever they can make that doesn't require extensive meal preparation. Auntie Amy does not know how to cook whatsoever. She has a fear of kitchens. As in, when she was little, she tried cooking something and ended up getting a third degree burn in a spot that I will not name. They have 2 little twins full of energy, Edward and Amanda.

Since tomorrow is the first day of fall, everybody gathered in our living room while my father read the paper with everything.

"First off, my family will be going to the Autumn house."

We all knew that already, we've been doing this for who knows how long? 16 years? More?

"The Azuls will be going to the Winter house."

They understood.

Because of their age, my grandparents don't stay where you would normally want them to stay. They will stay in the basement of a house or in a smaller house on the lot.

"The Vans will be going into the Spring House."

Jordan and Sophie squealed while their parents gave them dirty looks. Maybe because the two of them are over excitable and get excited over every little thing, not like it's a bad thing.

"So that means that the Harnes are going to the Hamilton House."

"ALL RIGHT!" My uncle JJ put his fist in the air.

I look at Alexa, who is happy that we are going to the Autumn House. She likes all of the houses that are in our house plan except our current house, the Summer House. Maybe because it's not big enough? Whatever, what this house lacks in house, it makes up for that in yard. This house is more of a party house than a place where you can settle down and start a family.

"Ok, so the next major holiday and family event is Thanksgiving, which will be held at the Autumn House as per usual. Everybody will be coming this year as well." My father read from the paper.

Everybody comes for Thanksgiving, first and second cousins as well. While most people prefer Halloween or Christmas, I love Thanksgiving. Not because it's all you can eat, but it's the one time of year where everybody comes together and enjoys each other's company. And that just warms my heart.

"Ok, so that's all I wanted to say. Let's all get some shut eye and go to our new seasonal houses." My father clapped his hands at the end of his sentence.

We all said our goodbyes and my family hopped in all of their cars while I just went with my father as his co pilot.

About 5 minutes later, we arrived at the Autumn House. I remember doing some history research on this place and this place, although it has a mansion exterior, used to be a hotel and a bed and breakfast until the 80's. Then, Pablo and my father redid the place and everybody has their own room and more.