Easter

Happy Easter

Easter Egg Hunt
Ben didn't realize what the big deal was about these colored eggs all over or why everyone wanted one. But it only took once to see what a treat was inside before he joined the crowd.

Great Grandma Elaine watching the kids and helping them out.

Cute cousins in cute Easter dresses.

Yes we took our picture with our Easter candy nest. Is that bad? :) Our family tradition is to find a rice crispy treat nest with some sweet treats in the morning. We watched He is Risen, and after our wonderful Sunday Church meetings we had a big family dinner and Easter egg hunt.

Brothers on Broadway

This week we had some fun going to the local shows. Thursday was at Uncle Joel's production in Richland called "Savior of the World." It was very moving and just well done. The talent and spirit there was amazing. It really set the tone for our Easter weekend. Thanks to all involved.
Then Saturday was my two youngest brothers play called "Guys and Dolls."

I wish I had known what was happening so I could have gotten better pictures.

This is Daniel in the middle in red.

Here they are fighting. Joseph in red and Dan in black.

Joey

Getting along again.

Fighting with someone else, at least they are working together. j/k

Dan in the middle.

Life Lesson

(I hope I don't offend anyone with these images.)
Life on the farm.
Where does our food come from?

Ben was very interested when Grandma said we need to get rid of one of the roosters. He wanted to know what Grandma was doing and why.

He wanted to be a part of every step and see every part.

He was just amazed by the process and this amazing thing called life and a body.

He was pretty proud of his lesson when he came in the house and told me all about chickens and how they grow and then become food. He wanted to keep watching as the bird went from the pen to the sink to the pot and to the dinner table.

Picture Riddle

What do you see?

The first picture might mess you up but it gets easier with each picture.

Can you find what they have in common?

Dad's Video

Here is just a quick clip of Sunday morning. I was trying to convince Paige to let me do something with her hair. So I popped in Justin's book video and she sat still while I worked on her hair and Justin read a book to her on the DVD. It started with just her but all the kids came running when they heard Dad's voice. Ben was so sweet. He was so proud and had to tell everyone. That is my dad, that is my dad! I also thought it was cute how with all the room of the living room the three oldest ended up snug on one end of the couch trying to see. At the end of the video when Dad says goodbye, Ben was so sweet to wave at the TV and kept saying, bye Dad, bye!

Thanks for the help getting the kids ready. We miss you.

Chalk kids

Friday and Saturday the kids really had fun with the chalk Benny brought with him.

(Jill and Avery had violin and we shopped in town, Friday.)

This is what happens when you get too into the colors. Do not adjust your computer, this is the real color.

Avery also used chalk but she colored pink streaks in her hair, I just couldn't get a picture in time.

A cake for Dad

Not to make anyone sad but after Paige's party she wanted to send some birthday cake to dad since he missed the party. After explaining how it would take weeks to get there she agreed we should still make a cake for Grandpa and the boys when they came home from work so we made this SUPER chocolate cake that my aunte Jeanette makes for her kids parties and it is AMAZING. I posted the recipe to the bottom.

I had to laugh at Ben's face as he tried to wait for Grandpa to get home.

Triple Chocolate Cake

Prep 10 in Cook 50 min

1 (18 ounce) box devil’s food chocolate cake mix

1 (6 ounce) package instant chocolate pudding mix

1 cup sour cream

1 cup vegetable oil

4 large eggs, beaten

½ cup warm water

2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

Powdered sugar, or Choco. Glaze

Mix in bowl and pour the batter into a greased 12 cup bundt pan.

Bake for 50 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.

Cool about 90 minutes before turning over in a a serving plate, frost.

Chocolate Glaze

(after it is cool)

3 squares (3 oz) unsweetened chocolate, chopped

5 Tbls. butter in pieces

Melt in microwave, Add-

1 3/4 c. pd. Sugar

4-5 Tbls. hot water

1 tsp. Vanilla

Mix sugar and water then add vanilla to mix.

Pour over cake and let run down sides. It will pool at the bottom.

So easy and SO yummy.

Princess for a Day

Sweet Princess Paige turned 5!

My how time flies. This was another last minute planned party and even more help from everyone around.

Cousins, Aunts, Sister and 2nd Cousins, all Royalty

Anneka saved the day a few times. First Paige got the princess makeover, hair, gloves and shoes at her house. And here everyone was decorating princess hats and there wasn't enough paint for everyone. After a few tears Paige got to open Addy's present early and surprise there was more paints. Whew, that was close.

What a cute bunch!

These are just the kids that would stand in the picture. We had 8 more than this.

Thanks for all who came and made it a party.

A few food shots for Lacey. :) j/k

All the cute props were compliments of Jeanette. :)

It is fun to be home and have so many friends and so much help pulling together a party on such a short notice and providing so many guest.

A little step up from her brother's corn dog lunch at his party.

Our attempt at a semi-sugar free party.

Cake- Sugar free angel food cake, strawberries and sugar free cheese cake jello pudding. We wanted to have something everyone could enjoy.

Dad sure came through with this one. I had clothes for some presents but forgot to get something fun. This came just in time!

She got some great books with a DVD of Dad reading them to her. Hooray! This kid LOVES books!

I thought this was a funny shot. Yep, Paige is under there, trying to pull all the tissue out.

Karaoke Time! (Amy was another HUGE help, making a last minute trip to the store and sharing their 12 Dancing princess movie and the karaoke machine!) I was surprised who was willing to sing.

The lucky pinata that is probably older than Paige.

Cousins, friends and NEXT door neighbors!

Tea Party...

These were for decorations but Paige and Grace decided to fill them with water and had a great time.

I think the only real pause we had in the party was when we looked out the window to see that the bulldog and the bunnies had gotten out of their pens at the same time and were running for their lives. Thanks Payton for letting yourself get dragged across the bridge to save a bunny.

What a fun day, I hope it was special for Paige and her friends. Thanks for every one's help.