Happy Easter!

We spent Easter at home here in Georgia this year.  Shawn and I were able to enjoy the various Masses and services of the Easter Triduum with the culmination of Easter Mass together as a family on Easter morning.  On Holy Saturday the kids enjoyed an easter egg hunt put on by the Knights of Columbus at our church.  Of course the Easter bunny (or just "Easter" as Henry calls him) left some treats in our baskets on Sunday morning.  Again this year, he also changed the beans, that the kids had earned all Lent long for good deeds and sacrifices, into jelly beans!  After Sunday mass we had some friends over for a brunch at our home and we all enjoyed the lovely spring weather together!

Henry was really excited for Easter this year.  He was elated when he saw "Easter came!" and was super excited about his basket of goodies.

He wanted to carry his basket with him everywhere he went for days.

At one point we caught him taking handfuls of jelly beans from our jar and putting them into his basket and then proceeded to tell us "I put my basket in my closet, keep safe."  And that is exactly what he did :-)

Easter morning surprises

The rain stopped just in time for the egg hunt.  It was wet but that didn't dampen the kids fun!

This year, Nicholas loved the bunny, Grace had to be coaxed up near him and would only go if I were standing between her and the bunny, and Henry was a little scared of him too (even though he's been talking about how much he loves him ever since!)

Baby Shower for a Crisis Pregnancy Center

Over the past year, Shawn has gotten quite involved with the Knights of Columbus and I have done likewise with the Ladies Auxiliary.  This year I organized the first annual Baby Shower for a Crisis Pregnancy Center hosted by these groups.  It turned out to be great success!  We collected new and gently used baby items from the parish for a week long and then on Saturday held a "shower" featuring 3 speakers, a light lunch, and presentation of the gifts to Pregnancy Aid Clinic.  The outpouring of gifts was phenomenal!  We collected 10 strollers, a pack n play, 2 crib mattresses, a high chair, thousands of diapers and wipes, thousands of baby and maternity clothes, and countless other toiletries, blankets, and other baby necessities.  We had about 55 people in attendance for the shower itself.  The clinic even brought their mobile unit and gave tours.  It was a wonderful experience to support life in this way!

Here are the Knights and Ladies who helped with the event.

The room setup prior to the shower

The cake made by one of our ladies

Deacon Mike, one of 3 great speakers who spoke on supporting and celebrating life.

Happy Birthday Daddy

On April 3, we celebrated Shawn's birthday!  I made his favorite meal, lasagna, and we had a small (because it was Lent) german chocolate cake (his favorite).  The kids and I gave him some new golf shirts and a wet/dry vac.  What a happy day!  The kids just love celebrating birthdays and we were all so thrilled to celebrate our wonderful husband and Daddy!!  Happy birthday honey!