Thankful Easter

I love Easter. Jesus died and rose again to forgive us for our sins. It's the beginning of spring- so beautiful out!  I always love the Easter services- beautiful music whether sunrise or regular service. Our NC church Manna has a combined Easter service at the Crown which sounded too hard for me two weeks after Van's arrival. so we decided to have a family Easter service at home. We started on Friday with the Seder service we've been doing for the last 3-4 years. Such a great reminder of the Jewish heritage and ceremonies. 

We use our fine China on Easter; I was tempted to use other plates this year with new baby but I had kids reminded me we use our best once a year for "the most important holiday" and several people volunteered to wash dishes so we did and I'm so glad! What a nice meal!

Easter morning we had a family Easter service on our front porch. James selected several songs to sing together and talked about God's sacrifice. When we finished, we went inside and then saw a dove sitting on the tree right outside our window!

This year I planned to make the Empty Tomb rolls but didn't get crescent rolls so I decided to make homemade and I'm so glad I did. Even though I grumbled a little that they were harder to make, they were so good. 

Then Grandma and Uncle Brian came. We decided to have Thanksgiving since James was away in November. James' Big Easy'd a turkey which turned out so good! Grandma brought sweet potato casserole, green beans, and an Easter cake. 

Grandma brought these yummy eggs too!

Uncle Brian's first day meeting baby V

Easter cake

James' turkey

K made these Easter placemats

flip them over and Thanksgiving placemats. Who knew when he made the placemats, that we'd have such a Thankful Easter!

Happy New Years Take Two

We started our New Years' appetizer tradition in Baltimore and have enjoyed it ever since. We were so excited to celebrate New Year's with James in April. We started the day with a trip to Cary. We went hiking- well James and kids did while V and I enjoyed a beautiful quiet morning in a garden.

After hiking we went to Duck Donuts! Yum! We just started our Duck Donuts tradition last year in the OBX but it was so good that we've been talking about it for a year. Plus close friends here love Duck Donuts too so we talk about it a lot.

 It was worth the wait! I don't remember all the kinds but maple bacon, chocolate bacon, strawberry lemonade, were a few.

We got home and had our New Years' Eve dinner. Each person picked an appetizer to fix and serve. As we take turns serving each other, we tell each other something we love about the person. Here's our spread this year.
Carrots- me (this was not the favorite appetizer :)
Bacon wrapped scallops- T
Spring rolls- KG
Bacon wrapped beef tenderloin- C
Two kinds of Chicken wings- K and Daddy

Then our sweet end of the night was Duck Donuts- Baby C

Baby V's first month

Daddy got to hike to our lake!

I've been meaning to update blog but between feeding baby, feeding kids, potty training toddler, keeping ok house, ... the blog seems to stay like it is (lots of partially done blogs-) so tonight during family movie night here goes with James' pics from V's month

I guess I did sleep some in the hospital :)

Wtih all that cuteness- no words are needed!

All the boys loved their Daddy haircuts especially this one

did we flashback to winter?

His first week was filled with lots of dessert!

Outside is the best place to be!

Look at those handsome/ pretty church-goers- V and I stayed home and napped!

Kids loved Daddy taking them to neighborhood Easter Egg hunt

so sweet!

so sweet part 2!

so proud to be a big sister

Enjoying working in the yard!

so glad that James could take kids to park during Vs doctor visits- 3 days the first week home!

Our first family trip to the park- Clark Park

Love family movie night!

Happy Birthday KG

Our sweet girl turned six Thursday! She got special cuddle time with her sweet baby brother to start her day. Baby snuggles are so nice!

Then Daddy made her an omelet for breakfast. Pair that with hot chocolate for a fantastic start to 6!

Of course, little sister wants to be in the pics too!

What fun opening presents from family. Here's the doll T made

Pink coat from Uncle Steven, Aunt Dena.

And more goodies- camou bag made by K, doll dress made by C, a book and game from Mommy and Daddy

What a blessed birthday girl: she had an early cake from Nana and Papa, a birthday cake, and this cake number from Grandma!

A hat made by Uncle Brian, hair bow from Grandma

We are so thankful for our sweet birthday girl! Love her!

Busy Week

This week is flying by. We ended last week with Pi day and a wonderful church service. Going Long is a great sermon series. I look forward to hearing part 3 soon.  And the picnic and weather after church were terrific.

Monday we were so excited that James was coming home. We went to the library in the morning. Then after naps, we planned to meet friends at the park before picking James up at the airport. As we pulled out of the driveway, I noticed that one of the windows in the truck was completely shattered and missing. I called the police because I thought someone must have done that but the police couldn't find any evidence and thought it just happened. Thankfully our friends came over for some playtime here while we waited for the police to arrive and time to go to the airport. Because it is hard to wait alone!

We got to the airport with homemade welcome signs

 Finally Daddy arrived- lots of excited kids!

Kids were all about Daddy- wanted to cuddle, read books, sit, ...

Tuesday was a beautiful day full of lots of four square, catch, and t-ball in the backyard while I rested on the couch. Then James took the kids to gymnastics/ dance while I got the truck window repaired, a hair cut, and (shhh) a milkshake all by myself!!

Wednesday morning the kids were so excited to go to Hobby Lobby to pick out a craft to do with Daddy. And then Wednesday afternoon my parents got here. Exciting day!

Thursday morning, I had preop and James had a DA photo. Afterwards, the nine of us went to lunch at Joe's Crab Shack- eight of us went there six years ago right after KG was born.  Here's the link to last visit.

This time BG beat James at Tic, Tac, Toe.

 I'm not sure who won but looks like fun

 And more games

 We had a good afternoon of naps, trips to Dollar store, sewing, baking, bath taking, followed by an early birthday celebration for KG!

 KG and her dolly wearing their new sparkle clothes from Nana and Papa!

And Lady Bug Girl and Butterfly Girl wearing their birthday suits!

A wonderful week and ready for big day tomorrow!