Easter at Our House

Most of our holidays are spent, at least in part, at the home of either my parents or Justin's. Easter, however, has always been our turn to host. I love the excitement that this time of renewal brings as we celebrate our risen Savior!

 

Our first Easter in our Garland home was also Jake & Mallory's first Easter. These cute, bald sweeties in matching sailor outfits didn't have a clue what was going on, but they had fun anyway. I think Jake even tasted banana pudding for the first time that day, thanks to Pops. We had just moved into our house a week prior, and both sets of grandparents spent the holiday with us in our new home.

Each year, my babies have come downstairs to find baskets filled with goodies, donned their Sunday best, and worshipped with our family at Prestoncrest Church of Christ. Rain or shine, we've hunted eggs, although the indoor hunts get trickier as they get older.

The beautiful liners in the kids' Easter baskets were lovingly made by their Grammy, and they're so excited to pull them out each year. Beau was only about six weeks old on his first Easter, so he fit nicely into his basket!

Whether it's smocked sweetness or matching bow ties, I just love buying Easter outfits each year!

We've been joined by many friends for this holiday over the years, as well as our family. I truly love having people into our home and gathering around a table.

For the past several years, our children's minister has put together a sweet little program for the kids to participate in. They get excited about being on stage and are proud to recite their lines and sing songs of praise to our Lord.

I think Nana & Papa have been here for every Easter since the kids were born. What a treat to have them with us!

Though we will make new traditions and new memories in the years to come, I will miss these that we've established in this house.

Dyeing eggs is always a must!

So today, we posed for one more family Easter picture in this place we've called home for seven years.

We hunted eggs once more in this yard, and we celebrated the empty tomb as a family at Prestoncrest.

Easter will look different next year, and that's okay. I'm learning that change is a part of life, and God does some of his best work in our hearts during times of change. From our family to yours, Happy Easter!

Happy Love Day!

Well, hello there, blogosphere!  How've you been?  For quite some time, I was trying desperately to catch up with backdated posts but never could quite get to the present.  So I still want to fill in those missing months, but I think I'll also press on with the present so this doesn't become a permanent problem.

We've had fun celebrating Valentine's Day this week.  Kids make this holiday so much more fun!  I put the kids in their festive shirts several times over the last few weeks to get some wear out of them.  And how could you ever get enough of this cuteness?  This particular day, they insisted on multiple pictures so they'd each have a turn to be in the middle.  Weirdos.

Jake & Mallory worked hard making valentines for each of their classmates...

And Mommy worked hard on some cookies to share with them.  Actually, I was a bit lazy on these, which is why the icing is just zigzagged on there.  Let's just call it a whimsical design & pretend it was my original intent. :)

 

Valentine's breakfast - love those sleepy eyes!

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Heading to school

 

Jake & Mal got heart-shaped sandwiches in their lunchboxes while Beau had his own festive lunch at home with Mommy.

 

Class party time!  The kids had a sprinkle buffet to decorate their cupcakes, exchanged valentines & made some fun crafts.  I'm so glad I get to have these fun days with them!

 

 Me & my sweeties

 Daddy's plane didn't land until late last night, but the kids & I continued the fun with movie time instead of a nap, spaghetti & meatballs for dinner & sugar cookies for dessert.  It was such a fun day - I love LOVE!

Family Fourth of July

In honor of Independence Day this year, we headed to my hometown of Paris, Texas for their fireworks display on the 3rd.  After a great meal with everyone at my parents' house, we headed to the football stadium to watch the show.  Beau didn't seem to mind at all that it was past his bedtime, & had a great time running all over the place.  Here he is with Uncle Kent during one of the few times he sat down.

The fireworks were beautiful, & the weather was perfect!  Mal was totally in awe.  It wasn't until the show was almost over that she turned to Justin & asked, "What's that sound?"  I guess she hadn't noticed the booming of each firework until then because she'd been caught up in watching them!

This was the first year that any of the kids have gotten to stay up for fireworks, & they all did so well!  No one was scared & since we had plenty of family around to entertain them, no one got cranky.  Success!

Mom & me in our matching flag shirts

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One of my parents' cats had new kittens, so we brought one inside for a little snuggling.  This picture may be funny to those who know me well & know that, as an adult, I am NOT a cat person!  We always had outdoor cats when I was a kid since we lived in the country, & I've decided that's the only way I like them.  No cat hair in the house, no litter boxes, no animals on my furniture - much nicer!  But who can resist one this tiny & sweet?

We're going to have to work on Beau's ability to be gentle when petting!

Jake & Nana lined up & waiting for the parade to start downtown

 

The kids loved the parade, & there was plenty of candy to be collected from the street.  They came home with quite the haul!

Jake took his candy gathering very seriously.

Enjoying the spoils

We headed back home after lunch & spent the rest of the holiday just hanging out together.  J put together the kiddie car wash, & fun was had by all!

Happy 4th!

It's All About Me

Mother's Day, that is!  What job could be better than hanging out with these cuties?

 After attending church together this morning, we enjoyed a great lunch at home.  Daddy grilled so I didn't have to work too hard.  The kids, with the help of their daddy, gave me some sweet new kicks, & I also got to enjoy a pedicure this afternoon.  I am one blessed mommy!

 

Happy Mother's Day to all of the moms in my life!