Easter

We might all be suffering from this. Fatigue. Only FIVE more days, just FIVE more days. 

Between the bouts of fatigue we celebrated Easter.

One of the first things we did when we arrived at my parent's was an Easter egg hunt for the kids.

 Hope was excited!

She runs around and laughs all about it.

Excited at every egg she spotted.

She also helped her brother out when she knew he couldn't see an egg because of his color blindness. "Pierce there is a green one in this shrub let me get it for you because you'll NEVER see it."

 Her brother.

He's so in the "tween" stage of life.

 "Pierce do you want to hung eggs? I guess so, but I think this will be my last year."

 Not quite a baby, not quite a teen.

 But he did it and dare I say, enjoyed it.

Finding money in an egg didn't hurt at all.

At least I still have one left who doesn't think she's too big yet. :(

 Per our normal tradition we always celebrate the April birthdays on Easter.

Of course the grand baby landed a picture on the table.

We got all gussied up and went to our old home church Easter morning

Then Hope obliged me in a little picture time

She was in an extra good mood since we were getting close to celebrating her birthday with the fam.

Mom cooks, we stand around and wait to pounce.

Like literally just watching and waiting...

 You know how fun it is to have a two year old in the family? I SO LOVE IT. Errrrrrbody knows when Camden is in the house, because you hear him SCREAM as he runs through the entire house. SO SO TWO.

Hope was so happy to help him on his own little egg hunt. 

Sometimes his little two year old eyes just skipped over the eggs, because hello he's two.

 But the big 8 year old was all about guiding him.

Honestly, it's just the sweetest.

He's a mess and I just love it.

As you can see Lyla was just thrilled with it all.

Have you noticed all the outfit changes? Pretty sure it was a four-outfit-change-day.

IT WAS FINALLY TIME TO OPEN GIFTS.

Lined up again...

Chaos usually ensues

But it's always fun to see what everyone gets.

Lyla even perked up to par-tay.

Jo, Paul, and Hope all don't have birthdays until later this month but this officially began the festivities.

Soon to be 9. Gah.

I really do love my April people.

HAPPY EASTER!

Thanksgiving

Hope made a turkey plea right before Thanksgiving...

Don't touch that turkey! Don't eat me because I am cute. I am also harmless. Plus I have never don anything too you that would kill you.

Her plea was in vain. Cute, but in vain.


The beginning of our festivities started with a Thanksgiving lunch at school.

It's cute that they still want me around.

Per the usual, we loaded up the family wagon and headed to the great North to see my side of the family.

The traffic was bonkers, like straight up bonkers. THEN THIS HAPPENED.

We safely made it to the land of milk-and-honey where we discovered it was time to buy FOUR new tires. MERRY CHRISTMAS TO US.

But we made it safely, so it's all good.

Thanksgiving morning Paul was up with the sun to make preparation for the bird, and then I made it down in time for the parade. I like my side of the deal better.

Mom set a pretty table, with each of the ladies getting a gift of a Fitz and Floyd Santa. Plus her homemade fudge. Oh, and I'm on a weight loss challenge, so how sad am I right now?

Back to the table...

Always lovely.

And then the bird that didn't make it, even with the plea of a cute eight year old girl. Really, Paul makes the best turkey, ever.

My sister, my mom, and myself were hoping for some cold weather.

We did not get our wish, but the warmer temps did make for a fun day of football outside.

CAMDEN.

So he's two, and we all knew he was there, because he's TWO.

His baby SISTER! is arriving this month, and we are all beyond excited about that!

And of course the round the table photo that my dad has made famous. So look over to the right, do you see Camden at the table? I COULD JUST DIE. We tried to get him to sit at the big table with us, but he was having NO part of that. He wanted to do his own thing. It looks like we've banished him from the family, but I promise we didn't. I just can't believe he stopped and looked up for the picture. Seriously, he's so cute.

As we do each year at Thanksgiving, there was also a birthday celebration.

And as I look at these pictures I'm reminded of the yummy food I ate on that one day. Blasted weight loss challenge.

Until next year pumpkin pie.

I miss you.

Thanks Mom and Dad for another great Thanksgiving!