Family Time

Song - In My Life by The Beatles

Sunday was a beautiful and warm day.  My brother and sister-in-law hosted Easter this year and it was so much fun to see all of their grandchildren growing up. 

The food, the weather, their home and yard were all wonderful.  But the best part for me were the little ones, who are not so little anymore!  Right Cal?  (He is seven now)

Calvin playing me in badminton or I should say beating me soundly at badminton

June twirling on the swings

Mom got plenty of baby holding time!  This is sweet little Luke.

The big kids played with the younger ones and the younger ones enjoyed each other.

Sophia jumping for joy when one of the big kids jumped into the pool

Calvin contemplating jumping off of the diving board.  Tough decision here folks!

Lily choosing just the right egg!  Another tough decision.

Time for the Pinata.......and maybe a lighter bat for Sophia

Every year mom makes a beautiful egg shaped pinata for the kids and dad does an $$ Easter egg hunt for the grownup kids!!!

And this is  handsome Harley who is watching the pinata being hit

TJ cheering on the little ones that are hitting the Pinata but secretly hoping that he gets to be the one to pop open that very strong Pinata!  And he did!!!

Sophia enjoying the bubbles

Kids are getting sleepy and that thumb tastes so good -  it's about time to head home

Mom and dad supervising the pinata games.....apparently we are not doing it just right and may need some help!

The quote for today is from me - " Do not fill your Pinata's with crackers and chips because after it's been bashed about 273 times, they turn into crumbs! Lesson learned."

Just Hopping By

Song - Morning Has Broken by Cat Stevens

The table was set, the flowers smelled wonderful, food (lot's of food) was prepared, the silver was polished and the place cards where set and even though it was supposed to rain, we woke to beautiful blue skies on Easter morning.

As I debated on weather to move the tables outside, the big gray clouds rolled in and made up my mind for me!

Mom let me pinch a couple branches off of her Dogwood tree to add some height to my Tulips.

We had bushels of beautiful Lilacs in full bloom.

And Mr. B cooked the biggest, best ham I have ever tasted! It was over 20 lbs. and took over 5 hours to heat through.

Friends and family arrived with babies, armload's of food, flowers and smiles.

They were greeted with a Mimosa bar.  Mmmmm....which I had to sample while helping to cook because I wouldn't want the Mimosa's to not "flow" properly!! You know how that can be.

After Brunch, the fun began.  We headed into the backyard to watch the kids hit Grandma Betty's traditional Pinata filled with toys and candy for the little ones.

Two year old Jackson gave it a good try.

My nieces two children, June & Calvin both went after the Pinata with gusto!

Junie getting some pointers from her dad, Brandon

Direct hit!

Calvin finally busted it up with a mighty baseball swing.

Then it was time for the adults to have a little fun.  My dad hid plastic eggs in the front yard while no one was looking.  Each one had a number inside and when you presented Cal Sr., with your number, he hands you an envelope with money inside - yep, real live money!  Now sometimes it's only some spare change and other times it is several dollars.  Of course there is also the "Better Luck Next Time" note as well......

My dad is looking pretty good for a temporary Easter Bunny huh?!

We enjoyed "coconut nests" filled with Jelly Bean "eggs" baked by Ashley, brownies from Katie & a wonderful fruit Cobbler from Mom.

And then.....the sky opened up and the rain came pouring down.  The guys pulled out their electronic games and Calvin was very generous with sharing his new birthday game with all of us!

Happy 6th Birthday Calvin!

Hope your day was filled with friends and family!!!

"An Easter bonnet can tame even the wildest hare."

   ~Unknown Author