Easter 2016

We had a wonderful Easter, Chris and I were both off so we got to spend the day together as a family!

Friday, Bailey and I were able to dye some eggs and it was so fun watching her excitement.

She would check the eggs and decide they needed some more time in the dye, she added the glue, and vigorously shook the eggs to get the glitter onto them.

Only a few were cracked in the process.

Earlier in the week we went to our favorite local farm with the cousins for their Easter festival. It wasn't crowded and we had fun meeting the Easter bunny, finding eggs, playing in some beans, and going on some wagon rides.

After spending some time lounging all together Easter morning, Bailey realized the Easter Bunny had come and left some baskets for the kids on the back patio. She ran around finding her eggs and helping Wyatt find his.  

Bailey and Wyatt in their Easter finery, this is pretty much how all the pictures came out. Wyatt wasn't into sitting with Bailey.

We headed over to Chris' Mom's house to spend the afternoon with our family and had a great time.

Wyatt happily found some eggs before the big girls started their hunting.

Bailey was a pro at finding eggs!

She filled up her purse twice with eggs.

The girls did a great job sharing and taking turns finding eggs. Eden had fun filling her basket and running around with the big girls!

Wyatt kept stealing eggs from Eden's basket when we sat them together for a picture.

There is always one egg with $5 hidden in it and Chris' cousins were trying to find it after Mario hid it really well. Chris and Mario were giving the girls hints and they finally realized it was in the swing with Wyatt.

He didn't mind being surrounded by them, I think they were more scared of him!

Chris' mom bought a new stroller, one that fit all four grandkids so she took them out for the inaugural stroll.

Bailey had fun, acting like she was on a roller coaster.

We had a really nice day together as a family and it was nice celebrating the holiday on the actual day, which is a rare treat for us!

We hope you had a great Easter!

Happy Sunday

Happy Sunday friends!

Here are some past Happy Sunday posts.

Enjoy!

Last week I was able to drop the kids off with their Mema (guilt free) and spend time with some girlfriends!

The plan was to go to line dancing lessons then stay for dancing, but we ended up sitting at the table chatting for a few hours instead, listening to the music. It was wonderful!

{We were all given some Bud Light sunglasses by a beer rep so we decided it was worthy of a picture}

S'mores. Yummy.

Enough said.

Then I found this:

Yep, premade S'mores.

Delicious!

My Mom's perspective.

She sent me this card when I came back to work from maternity leave:

A picture she took of Bailey's kisses on their window.

Many people would get annoyed and frustrated that their child made a mark on a clean window, but my mom turned it into a sweet card to me to have. I especially treasure it when I'm at work, missing these little kisses!

We have been playing the monopoly game at Vons (where you get tickets to try to win prizes) and it's always fun seeing what game pieces we've gotten. Yesterday we went to the market all together and we ended up with 53 game tickets (that's 212 game pieces!)!  

Chris and I were giddy with excitement, looking forward to sitting down and putting our game pieces onto the board. After we put the kids to bed, we eagerly sat down to play. While we didn't end up with any big prizes {yet} it was a fun way to spend an evening together!

I hope you have a wonderful week!

What's the cost?

The other day I pulled up to the gas pumps to fill up my car and noticed the vehicle at the pump ahead of me was decorated with some Vietnam Veteran stickers. I then noticed the gentleman that was filling up the truck, wearing Army fatigue pants and a US Veteran hat.

I thought to myself, "Wow, I am so thankful for him. Maybe I should go say thank you".  I paused and thought, no that would be awkward, I have never seen this man before and probably never will again.

So I went ahead and started filling up my gas tank, then I decided that I needed to say "Thank you" to him. Not because I was alive during the war, because I wasn't, but maybe I am alive today because he went overseas and fought for me.

I walked over to him and my eyes started welling up as I said "Sir, I noticed your stickers and hat and just wanted to thank you" as I held out my hand for a handshake.

He immediately snapped to attention and grabbed my hand with a grin spreading across his face. He started talking with me, telling me he was overseas for 6 years and he pointed to his license plate which had a disabled veteran designation.

I could barely choke out my words of gratitude, my words seeming so simple and lacking for what he gave to our country.

Our tanks were finished filling and we went back to our vehicles after our brief chat. It warmed my heart to see him drive away with a little wave and big smile on his face.

After our encounter, my spirits were lifted and I kind of shook my head at myself for being hesitant to acknowledge a stranger. Something so simple as a "Thank you" and a brief chat made me realize how lucky I am. I've never been to war, none of my closest family members have had to give their lives for my freedom and my friends have never been drafted.

There was no cost involved in me saying thank you, no hardship on my part, just a moment of time chatting with a stranger. Something that cost nothing, sure changed my day, and hopefully brightened that Veteran's day. Maybe next time I won't be so hesitant to appreciate those around me, and let them know it.