Easter Day

A rare occasion... taking a picture of our family all together! What the picture doesn't say is all the work it took me to get everyone's clothes back on and talk them in to sitting for a picture vs. playing w/ cousins! Not to mention having us all look somewhat decent. :)

Yesterday we woke up early and started our day w/ an egg hunt for the kids. I was sitting on the couch w/ the camera waiting for the first sleepy head to roll out of bed. Luke was sure to come around the corner at 7am! which he did! After that we were off to first service. Rich left early to sing in the choir, so I balanced getting everyone ready, starting my food for the family get together and getting out the door on time. Not an easy task. Especially w/ new toys and candy littering the floor!

After church we were off and running to Strongsville for my family get together. I am so thankful for our family and the joy it brings us. We usually have a time of singing and worship before our meal. My cousin plays the guitar. The sounds of our whole family singing and praising the Lord together is just overwhelming. I'm so glad the kids are being able to experience this special bond that we have. I want this to be "the norm" for them! I want it to be a tradition they continue in their families. It excites me to think that these traditions may be passed down as our kids get older. Family get togethers are often a time of sadness and remembering as we are reminded of the loved ones who have passed away and who are no longer with us. There is something about being together that makes their memories very vivid to me, I can picture each person sitting in their typical spots w/ such clarity. I look forward to our heavenly reunion someday.

The kids looked so cute all dressed up. Abby was the only one who would sit still long enough to model her outfit! :) we just had trouble getting her to keep her panties covered up!! :)

she was so cute how she wanted to wear this hat ALL day.. even to her Sunday School class, in the car and all the way home! : )

Abby holding her wind up baby bunny saying "how cute!"

Luke enthralled w/ his new Lego (Mommy found a good one I guess!)

Mommy w/ her Easter Basket.. (Daddy's was on video tape and not available) He ran out the door to work w/ it in hand today. It was pretty funny! :)

Luke w/ his stash of eggs.

Abby w/ her stash. I recycled the eggs we JUST got at other egg hunts b/c the amount of candy was ridicules! Luke picked up his first egg and says Hey Mom, this is just like the one I got at story time... I said well you better put it in your basket! w/a smirk on my face!

I took these pictures below just the other day in the backyard looking up from the creek. It looked kinda cool! I had taken Kadie down there to run around and explore. She was having the time of her life!

Playing outside w/ the dogs. Every once in a while we let them run free w/ no leashes.. they are really good about staying in our yard. Thank goodness!! I got this adorable photo of Luke and Zoie looking at each other!

One more photo... from the other day when Rich had the kids playing castle in Luke's room. Luke was dressed as a Knight and Abby as a princess. They are so cute!!! I could just pinch their cheeks! :)