Happy Easter from Our House to Yours!

Fabulous graphic from Catholic All Year

Happy Easter, y'all!! We hope you had a wonderful start to the Easter Season!! That's right....start. It isn't over, people! Easter has only just begun. So, let's get this party started!

Oh, and it started quite early, but it was well worth it. Our alarm went off at - gasp! - 5:30 am. I know, I know. What in the world?! We had a wonderful breakfast and happy smiling faces all day. It was great! We headed off to the 7am Mass. We arrived a few moments late according to the start time of the Mass...not late in when it actually started, though! And, there were parking spots...in the main lot. And, there were PLENTY of seats left. I tell you...best decision ever to go to this Mass for this very important day in our Church (of, course, we celebrate Jesus' death and resurrection at every Mass...but, ahem...). Anyway, it was a wonderful start to this day. 

After Mass Easter photo!

Once we were home, I had Jason get the boys out of the car while I set out the Easter baskets. Now, I may have said this before, but we don't actually say much about the "Easter Bunny" around here. I never understood what the heck a rabbit had to do with Jesus, but whatever. Now, the colored eggs...that, I can explain (if you are curious, ask!). Anyway, enough chit-chat...where are the photos?

Working hard on his new Where's Waldo book

Deviled Eggs in my grandmother's egg plate!

Yummy Herb Yeast Rolls on a perfect plate from Denise

Mama Update: 19 weeks and 1 day in this photo taken by my sweet Alex (3). Baby FINALLY started kicking for me this past week - yay! We will find out who this little person is going to be named on April 16th. Guesses? Boy or girl?? What name do you think we picked out? And, if you are one of the special ones that know...no guessing!! 

Blessed in our mess!! Another photo taken by Alex :) 

Really loves his carrot cake

I think you have something on your face....

Funny story... So, when they got their Easter goodies, they were each given a Pez Dispenser. Because, you know...what's Easter without Pez? Kidding. Alex later asks me, "Hey, you wanna pig, mama?" I was cracking up for a while with that one! A pig?! It's a PEZ, man!! 

Post-nap runaround

Post-nap runaround

Out of ALL the egg-hunting photos I took...this one above was the only one that was not blurred with excitement! Oh, well, at least they had fun and I got the "after" photo. 

As the day came to an end, the boys watched some Bugs Bunny...

I know.... Thanks for the laughs, Father Jaya!!

Around 730, the boys ALL asked in their own ways (some with words...others with their actions) if they could go to bed. Ha! Silly boys. Once they were all tucked in with lots of hugs and kisses, I got started on my newest read:

Thanks Father Muller! Get a copy here! It is really good :)

 We hope you all had a wonderful Easter Sunday!!

Rewind: April 14-20 {Easter Sunday}

{MONDAY}

Looking for Waldo after dinner

{TUESDAY}

Some bunny loves it when I make shaped sandwiches... Happy Easter Lunch :)

{WEDNESDAY}

"I think I can. I think I can."

He wants to crawl SO bad...

A million toys and they all want the stacking cups. So funny!!

{SATURDAY}

 

Down at my parents house for Easter! And, of course, our trip would not be complete without a round or two of Catan! 

Good times! My husband's face of on the left. Then it is Brendan, Christopher, William, and Sean. Four our of five brothers...and, yes, they are all now taller than me. Oh, dear. 

{EASTER SUNDAY}

 

Easter baskets after Mass! I love how Austin is practically IN his basket! We made them very simple this year as we had a lot from grandparents. 

Andrew and Alex both got a set of Micro Planes, sidewalk chalk, and M&M minis

Austin got a new toy - a sweet little monkey.

Egg hunt time!! Since the boys are still small and everything is a competition these days. My mom had a super awesome idea to get the same number of eggs for the boys in their colors. Perfect! No fighting over who got to what egg first, no sad faces because they didn't "win", etc...They loved it!! They even helped each other out in finding their eggs! So cute!!

Happy Easter, everyone!! We hope you had a wonderful weekend!!

Easter 2013

My gosh! I'm exhausted! Ok, not really. I went to bed early last night. But, still looking back at everything makes me sleepy again. Must be a pregnant thing, huh? Anyway, here is a look at our Easter extravaganza! Hope yours was fabulous, too!

{Saturday}

Cooking day!

 I had two little helpers in the kitchen for some of the easier things. They are helping me mix up the deviled eggs here. We also got the ham ready for the oven, the asparagus blanched, the potatoes ready, and a timeline made for tomorrow's yummy eats! Glad I had some helpers!

Unfortunately, it was a stinky, rainy day so this was the highlight of the day. 

After everyone was in bed, I got the Easter baskets together for tomorrow. I went simple this year. Do you remember the baskets from last year? They are so great! And they go right back in the closet after the festivities are done so they can be used again. I, personally, can't stand those obnoxious store bought Easter baskets filled with that nasty plastic grass stuff. YUCK! Plus, the candy is always gross. Anyway, here are their baskets!!

Andrew is blue; Alex is green. They each got a Thomas Easter book and Easter story book (which the one in Andy's basket is much better - The Easter Story by Patricia Pingry. It's the story without the fluffy junk...you know what I mean). They also got sidewalk chalk and some new digging tools. Peter Rabbit Jelly Bellies!! And 3 eggs filled with those mini Lightning McQueen micro race cars. They love those little cars. Oh, and, of course, a super hero - Wolverine and Captain America. Why not? They also got two more books to share - The Tale of Three Trees (you must read this book - even if you don't have kids. SO SWEET!) and Jesus Calling Bible Storybook by Sarah Young. A few of the ladies in my guild at church really like the Sarah Young devotionals, so I have high hopes for this one. I read though some of it while at Books-A-Million and it was pretty good. There will always a few places for further explanation on different wording for general Christian books, but it is a great little book if you are looking for one. A story and then something to think about. Also, the illustrations are great for the little ones.

  All done and ready for Easter Sunday!

{Sunday}

Happy Easter!!!

 Cinnamon Roll Bundt Cake for breakfast!!

We headed out to Jim 'n Nick's for lunch. Our Easter dinner will be at actual dinner time. For forever we had always done Easter dinner after coming home from church - both in my family and in Jason's. But, wow! I LOVE that we did not have to rush out of Mass to rush home and get everything done for "starving" people. This just make SO much better sense. Who would have thought?!

 Anyway, after we came home and the boys took a bit of a break from the festivities. They found their Easter baskets. I know, I know... what?! Not at the crack of dawn?! Nope. I don't think we have ever given them their baskets until AFTER church. Why more parents don't do this, I don't know... This is genius. 1) I don't have sticky children that I have to get ready for church. 2) They actually eat a 1/2 decent breakfast. 3) We get to church ON TIME - especially on Easter Sunday. Hello?! Less stress for Easter?? Yes, please!

Ok, bringing it back...

 How cute are these Jelly Belly boxes?! I always find them at Books-A-Million this time of year for 99 cents!

 Time for DINNER!!! SO yummy!!

 Everything set! And, yes, those are canning jars we used for our drinks. Awesome.

Hmm...wondering where the fabulous feast pics are? We were too busy having such a great time with our friends, Kristi and Brandon, that we totally forgot to get pics! Crazy! The boys were having a blast, too. But, at least you'll get to see that. 

 Egg hunt time!!! We held ours inside...it rained this morning so our backyard was mushy. Boo. Oh, well. They still loved it! 39 eggs...guess who found 23 of them? The big kid, Mr. Andrew! After a bit though, he started helping Alex and Braxton find eggs. Ok, actually he found them and put them in their baskets. Too funny. They are such great friends!!

This is the best picture I got of these 3 buddies. Kristi may have gotten a few that are better. But, they are cute, so ya know! Love these kids!

Well, that was our Easter! We hope everyone had a wonderful weekend with their family and friends, too! We are so blessed to have such wonderful people in our lives! Now, next year...Rachel, you and your family should head back over to Alabama for Easter!! (Oh, some background real quick since that may not have made sense why I said that...Rachel and Kristi were BFF growing up and while both lived here. After Rachel and I became good friends, I was so, so SAD :( that she was leaving me to go back home closer to family. Luckily, she intro'd Kristi and I before leaving the both us. We both miss you, girl!!! Big hugs!!)


Happy Easter!!!

Easter Week Recap

We hope everyone had a fabulous Easter Sunday with their family and friends! We had a great time with our friends last night. Having a fun, simple Easter is perfect for us. No fussing with travels, no need to bother with packing, no worries about anything - except the menu, of course.  Jason and I are so glad that we chose to keep Easter ours. Another one of our "Best Ideas Ever." I should have a post on those things. They may come in handy for some of you out there. Anyway, we had a wonderful week and wanted to share it with you. Enjoy!

{Monday}

Obnoxious weather strikes again. In the word of Sally's brother, from the Cat in the Hat book:

"Too cold to go out. Too wet to play ball.

So we sat in the house and did nothing at all."

Seriously. Quite annoying that the weather was just not cooperating....

{Tuesday}

No rain, but too cold... What is going on here... ? I LIVE IN THE SOUTH!!!

Alex and I did have an adventure after taking Andy to school, though. We went to the Target of ALL Targets. It was amazing. Parking deck! It was nice and clean (since it is brand new) - it held that "new store smell" LOL! And - escalators that don't just carry people.... Oh, no. Escalators that carry YOUR CART full of goodies from Target. Oh, my... Oh my. Oh my.

 

 And, hello?! A cup holder for my Starbucks?! This should be required at ALL Targets. Why is it not? NO other Target in the area has these. What is going on in the world? 

We really did go to the new Target for a few reasons. Alex and I got all the grocery shopping done for Easter. And, look! I have a fabulous deviled egg plate! YAY! Sad. We have had - what? Four Easters at our home and this is the first time I have had this specific plate... Always made deviled eggs, but never had the plate until now. By the way, best plate ever. The little spots for the eggs are deep enough that they don't roll out. Nice. 

After getting home with the groceries and Andy, it was time for some quite. Alex went down for a nap and Andy worked on his railroad. I was reading a book on the sofa and just happened to look up at him while he was working away.

I love watching his little mid work. I don't know what his future holds, but this kid is going to be amazing at whatever he does when he grows up.

 {Wednesday}

 Another day of cold, but it will get better the next few days we hear... 

 The boys finished up their Lenten crafts. We have been decorating springtime shapes with stickers to count the weeks of Lent leading up to Easter. The frame is covered with their creations and palms from Palm Sunday Mass. 

 This is their new favorite spot to hang out. They get to watch all the birds come out to our feeder. The even let me know when I need to fill it up again. This is a quiet spot, too. You don't want to scare the birds, do you? ;)

{Thursday}

 The weather is finally cooperating with the calendar!! It was gorgeous outside!!

 Alex woke up before Andy did and got breakfast going for everyone. Such a cutie. 

 Since it was Holy Thursday, there was no school for Andy. Awesome. Love Catholic school. 

Andy picked a flower for me. So sweet. 

 Snack time. My goodness... 

 Um, when did he start looking like a big kid...??

My silly monkey, Alex.

After coming in (so we could get dinner started), the boys got cleaned up and suddenly there were some strong men in the house. What funny guys! They crack me up!

{Friday}

Another beautiful day!!

 While in the living room listening to some news bits and sipping my coffee, I was watching something so sweet. Two brothers that are best friends having some sort of breakfast conversation. It was so sweet to listen to them talk with each other - even if it was about how cool their cereal straw bowls are... 

The boys played outside for a good while. And, then Jason came home early! I love that his company let everyone off 1/2 day for Good Friday. I love when he comes home early - especially when I didn't even know it! I had forgotten that they do that for their employees. Awesome. 

 

 Watching the boys dig for gold. Maybe they will find some one day ;)

 After a little while more, I got everyone a snack and we sat on the picnic table to read through the Stations of the Cross. This book is great for little ones if you are looking for something like this. Anyway, I'm so proud of Andy. He knows most of the stations now and what the different holy days mean. We talked about it all week. So, by this day, he was telling Alex what was going on in the pictures. Love it!

Stay tuned!! Our Easter celebration will be coming up later today. Until then, check out what this German farmer came up with when he was denied permission to build a barn for his horses. Awesome. 

focusNjoy #116: Go out of the box