From horseback riding to basketball to water-skiing to college, the Olaveson and Dunn families have always been close.

“It’s amazing being up here at school with my cousins,” said Alyssa Dunn, a senior from Rexburg. “They are some of my closest friends.” Between the Dunn’s and Olaveson’s, there are six cousins at BYU-Idaho.

Though college was not something the families decided to attend all together, that happened to be the way things worked out.

“It was fun when we realized just how many of us were going to be at school together, especially because we never planned for it. We’ve just always grown up to be so close, so knowing that family would be right on campus with me turned out to be a nice comfort,” said Sadie Dunn, a junior from Rexburg.

The cousins contribute the closeness they share to their grandma.

“We’ve always been a very close family — our grandma always made sure of that. She is the glue that holds us all together so strongly. That’s why she was so happy when she found out we were all going to school together,” Sadie said.

The cousins’ grandma, Janice Olaveson, growing up in a rather small family, has always enjoyed holding regular family activities and gatherings. “Our family has grown to become very large. Everyone contributes different qualities and talents and it’s amazing to see them shine when we are all together,” Janice said.

The six cousins, consisting of two boys and four girls, are hardly strangers on campus. “We meet pretty regularly for lunch which is always a highlight of our day,” Sadie said. “Not only that, but every month our grandma makes sure that we still have a huge combined family home evening.”

Both Alyssa and Sadie attribute their grandparents not only for much of the closeness they share, but also for their growing gratitude for one another.

“It’s been a definite adventure with my family all here with me. It has made me extremely grateful for my heritage. So many sacrifices have been made for my benefit; sacred sealing and bonding covenants came at such a price [for our ancestors], but I can see that my family is reaping all of the benefits from it today,” Alyssa said.

Many students will admit that being around that much family all the time can get tiring, but not for these two families.

“We don’t have a perfect family — no one does,” Janice said, “but we sure do have a perfect love for each other. We are all trying to love one another and help one another and that’s why we are close.”