Ramblings of a Grandmother: Easter 2012

This is how we started our Easter morning, oatmeal in coffee cups. A trick I learned from my mom. She used coffee cups as bowls for everything from cereal to soup.
Thomas and Natalie were part of the set up crew for their church's 9:30am outdoor celebration so Ella and Sami spent the night with us and we decided to meet them at their service.

The best way to get Lily Bean's hair done.

Papa helped get Sami's tights on. They all hate tights.

You would think three adults wouldn't have any trouble getting themselves and 4 kids ready by 9am.

You wouldn't think.

They all thought they looked pretty good. The girls twirling and Jack with his "flat" hat. They are standing on our bed to look at themselves in the mirror.

Lily tried to help Sami put her shoes on but amazingly Sami didn't want any help.

Jack didn't need any help with his shoes.

Aren't they the cutest kids!

We got the girls matching dresses from E Bay like last year. They loved them and got plenty of compliments. We got Piper one too but they didn't go to church with us.

This was the alter of our church that morning. Natalie enjoyed the warmth, she was part of the music team and did a great job.
She has a beautiful voice.

The middle of the service was an egg hunt for the kids. There were 12 numbered eggs among them that Pastor Stan had placed items in to help the kids retell the story of Christ's death and resurrection during his homily. It was the best Easter service I have ever attended.

SAMI

JACK

LILY

SISTERS

We enjoy watching them so much. Sometimes my heart swells so much it hurts.

Pastor Stan does such a great job of including the kids (and doesn't he look just like Tim!)

Our seats at "church" Thanks Ripleigh

Love her new hair cut! Tom & I took her on Saturday. I started freaking out when she was cutting the back VERY short and realizing she has a cow lick. It is cute though, just need a quick curling iron in the morning.

Look at our two little men in their seersucker and newsboy hats. ADORABLE

Wyatt looks like such a baby here LOL

We decided to go to a local restaurant with a buffet this year. Jennifer "does" Easter every year and with her living with us we wanted to do something a little more special than eating at Gram's & Pops' house. Charlie & Michele went to her family's church so they met us at the restaurant (the same place we had their rehearsal dinner 5 years ago last month) I can't believe I didn't get a picture of Wyatt & Piper together in their Easter best.

The staff was so nice, taking our picture and treating us like we were at home.They even had the Easter Bunny walking around.

The buffet was great and the Mimosa didn't hurt either.

Michele decided against Piper wearing her matching dress but she is adorable in her pink sailor outfit.

"Look Grams pretty stickers"

Papa and Piper shared a lot of their lunch.

COUSINS!

Wyatt eating 'like a dog'. Where were his parents?

It was so relaxing just being able to sit around. The kids were great.

Tom so enjoys when the babies sit with him.

Piper wanted to be like the big kids so I let her eat my rice pudding when we were all done.

Since we didn't get a good "before" picture of all six we thought we'd give an "after" picture a shot. . . .

not much luck, Natalie had to jump in the picture . . .

Stay tuned I have matching outfits for Mother's Day too.

Look Jack, Uncle Tommy & Wyatt had a "flat" hat too

Charlie really adores these kiddos

Handsome Jack

Lily didn't like that bunny but she knew there was candy in those eggs.

They loved the Silly String even though they could not quite push the button one handed. I hate to think what they'll be like when the get the hang of it.

Daddy loved hearing them run around screaming.

He is a HUGE instigator when he is here. We felt you in spirit, Shawn.

We moved to a townhome with it's low maintenance.
Our back yard is 60ft. x 20ft.

Who says you need a big yard to have fun? You just need a lot of STUFF.

We actually bought this Bouncy House for Lily for her first birthday from WalMart.com. We've gotten quite a bit of use out of it in the past year, even lending it to the neighbors.