Memorial Day Weekend 2012

As usual, we went over to my parents' house for Memorial Day Weekend. It was HOT! We were actually supposed to go to a birthday party, but we had all been really sick and were still trying to get over the sniffles, so I thought it would be best if we didn't spread the love. So, we just relaxed and played (and ate), and had a good time!

My dad had done some shopping, and got the boys their first real baseball caps!

The neighbors' peach trees were overflowing, and they said we were welcome to come over and pick some if we wanted to. We got two huge bowls full (although I'm not sure what we're going to do with them all!).

There were TONS of butterflies all over the trees!

After the peach-picking, we went back into the air conditioning and the kids painted some suncatchers. I actually painted one, too. :)

Time for swimming!! The kids could hardly wait to get into the pool! Grammy and Granddad always let them have popsicles while they're in the water, which is a bonus.

That was all on Saturday. Then, on Monday (Memorial Day), we went back over there for Round Two!

Anna was helping Grammy in the kitchen.

Dad's brisket, about to go back into the fire for many hours!

There was more swimming, of course, and some baseball!

Such concentration.

Brisket's done! Nicky's trying to sneak some pieces before it's all cut up.

This might have been one of the best Dad has ever made. We gave him a standing ovation when he entered the kitchen.

Anna went crazy with that corn on the cob!

This was at about 5:00, when it was already starting to cool off for the evening. I'm pretty sure we broke 100 degrees.

It was a good weekend to help recover from our mini-vacation the week before and from being really sick. It's always fun to spend time with my family!

Easter 2012

Our Easter weekend was really busy this year! I think the kids had a lot of fun, though. That's all that matters, right?

On Friday, I took the four goobers over to Grammy and Granddad's house. Grammy had some hard-boiled eggs ready for them to dye. It was the first time the kids had ever dyed eggs before, and they were really fascinated! When Grammy cut up an egg for them to try, however, the enthusiasm diminished quite a bit. They also learned that vinegar is really stinky.

 Ethan getting his cup ready for egg dipping.

Green!

 Zoe was very slow and methodical about dipping her eggs.

Hers ended up being the prettiest.

Nicky liked the yellow dye the best.

Waiting is so hard!

The eggs had to dry before they could do more decorating.

Anna and I went home, while the older three spent the night with Grammy and Granddad. The next morning, we headed back over there to get ready for an Easter/birthday celebration. Later in the afternoon, we had family and friends over for an egg hunt and some awesome barbeque.

 

  

Micah, giving Anna "Eskimo kisses," (are we even supposed to say that anymore, or is it not P.C.?).

She kept doing this, and Anna thought it was hilarious. 

Anna liked the plastic eggs.

Micah and Ethan, discussing where to find the eggs.

Anna and I were supervising the hunt.

Anna and Judah.

 

 Micah and her mommy (Andee), checking out the loot.

 My sweet Zoe.

Daddy and Nicky.

(Nathan was checking to see what he would be stealing from Nicky's bucket later.)

See? Busted.

Nathan ate all of Nicky's Easter candy.

(He went to the store later and bought him some more, out of remorse.)

Micah was excited about her haul!

 

Mmmm...corn.

 Too much Easter.

The next morning was Easter Sunday, so we got up and got ready to go to church. Anna helped make sure that we would have enough time to get to service by waking me up at 4:30. Thanks so much, sweetie!

 Easter morning - the best we could do.

I'm sure church was wonderful, but I wouldn't know, as I spent several hours walking around the building with an extremely unhappy baby in my arms. I don't think the Resurrection story has changed, so I'm probably safe if I remember last year's sermon.

After church, we went out to the Alexanders' for more food and fun.

Where's the food already?!

 

Waiting to hear, "GO!"

 

"Hmmm...where could they be?"

Nicky found one!

I think all the eggs were gone by this point, but Zoe kept looking anyway.

My nephew, Christopher.

Isn't he a doll?

"I got the last egg, Mama!"

Busting the eggs open and stuffing their faces with sugar.

The most important part.

Cousins!

(Nicky, Ethan, Anna, Zoe, Bailey, and Christopher)

We're missing two - Ian and Axl couldn't make it.

Candy decided she wanted to come investigate. Check out my daughter's face - she is absolutely terrified of dogs. I just think this picture is funny.

Anna was so happy! She had a blast sitting in the grass.

That was our weekend! I hope you all had a very happy Easter!