Easter doings

Well, this post if obviously late, but better late than never, right?

Easter was a very relaxing day for us...once we figured out what time church started. I was wondering why Kevin bolted out of bed promptly at 7:15. I told him to lay back down and relax with me...for Pete's sake, the kids were still asleep! I was under the impression that we didn't have to be to church until 10 (the time regular service starts). Kevin said that they were having our Sunday School class (that is at 9). He was right! I guess I am used to our old church. They usually cancelled Sunday School when there was a special service.

So I took my time getting the children ready. I was thinking about how nice it was to have everything set out and calm. HA! At 8:53 (yes, I remember) Kevin comments, very nicely, that we really should get to going. I tell him that we've got time. It's not even 9 yet. Then he drops the Sunday School bomb on me. 8-)

This is one of those times I am glad we had 2 cars. I sent him and the children on their way and I finished getting ready. On the way to church, the sky was BLACK. It looked like it was night time at 9:30 in the morning. The roads were also very empty. It was a really creepy sort of morning. The sky exploded right as I made it to church.

The service was interesting. It wasn't the message that you would expect to hear preached on Easter Sunday. The pastor (one of the two) actually spoke about the crucifixion instead of the resurrection. I guess it all goes together anyway, huh? I also found it odd that they really didn't do anything special for Easter. But, this is a new church and we are just learning how they do things.

When we got home I hid some plastic eggs for Benjamin and Olivia.

Olivia's were very stealthily hidden...right on the coffee table and on the seats of the gliders.


Benjamin had a great time finding his eggs. However, once Olivia realized that there were goldfish crackers in her eggs, she was DONE. She stood by Kevin and said, "BA BA BA!" until he opened hers. It was cute!

We then took the obligatory Easter photo...complete with the children in their Easter attire.
Or something like that!!

We had dinner (or whatever you call a meal at 2pm. Dinupper?) with the Forringers, Meltons, and several college students. After "dinupper" we played games. I will humbly (read AMAZINGLY, AWESOMELY, HAPPILY, IN-YOUR-FACE-ABLY) announce that Stephanie and I beat the Engineer and the Physicist in a probability game that involved dice. But, I don't want to brag. ;-)

It was a really great day!! When we went to bed, we all felt like this...


P.S. I am seriously considering putting up the Christmas pictures!!

Grandparents, Dedication, and Thanksgiving...Oh my!!

Kevin's parents came to visit us last week. They were here for Olivia's dedication (Kevin's birthday was the same day too) and for Thanksgiving. It's hard to believe that I've been with Kevin for almost ten years, yet I've never spent Thanksgiving with his family.

They arrived on Saturday afternoon. Benjamin had spent Saturday morning cutting up a very large (and skinny) branch. He then decided that the best use for this branch was kindling for a bonfire. So, we changed our dinner plans and had hot dogs. I had a can of chili leftover from Benjamin's school Fall Fest, so I heated it up for the hot dogs. Imagine my surprise when Kevin's mother said that neither she nor Kevin's dad had ever had a chili dog. They have also never had corndogs. Perhaps those are Southern things? Anyone else never have these before?

Here is a picture of Olivia all bundled up with Grandma and Papa during the bonfire.

The next day, Sunday, was Olivia's dedication. We had been waiting for Grandma and Papa to be here before we did it. Uncle Phillip and Pastor Coleman did the dedication together. Phillip is very close to our family, and so having him as a part of it was especially meaningful. We were also joined by Aunt Debra and Uncle Dennis.
Our little Olivia Rae on the day of her dedication to the Lord! We are blessed!!

Pastor Coleman did the Bible readings and the charge family and friends.

I love the way Olivia is looking at Phillip in this one.

Phillip did the prayer and official dedication.

I cried. Kevin cried. Phillip's eyes got damp (or it could be allergies...Texas is awful like that!). During the prayer Olivia thought long and hard about whether or not to take over the microphone responsibilities. She decided against it. 8-)

Olivia and Papa after church.

Thanksgiving was great. I was a bit late putting Mr. Thankful Turkey together, but when it was finished, it was quite spectacular. For those who don't know what this is...we make a turkey out of my scrapbooking materials. Then we make several feathers and mail them to our family and friends. They write about what what they are thankful for on these feathers and then mail them back. On Thanksgiving day, we read them and then put them onto the turkey. Mr. Turkey then serves as a decoration. Mr. Turkey didn't get done until a couple days later because apparently Grandma and Papa are far more exciting than some paper turkey (turkeys can't play Rummikub!) Here's Mr. Turkey:



We had the Phelps family (Roy, Maxine, Phillip, and Ranae) over for Thanksgiving this year. It was wonderful having so many special people to spend the day with. We had a lovely dinner, told jokes (even laughed at the bad ones...uh...not that there were any bad ones), played games, and just relaxed.

After dinner, Benjamin talked Mrs. Phelps into doing some artwork with him.

Olivia and Uncle Phillip in The Thanksgiving Dinner Recovery Chair.

The Benjamin/Grandma team during our Mille Bourne game.

I was very proud of how attractive my pies turned out!

Oh, and for the first time ever (drum roll please) I made dressing that was fantastic! And for that, I am extremely thankful!