Resurrection Day celebration

My sister and her crew were in town for Easter this year.  Of course, we had to do some garage door photos.  It's become a tradition.  Even at their house.  That bright white backdrop hardly ever fails, especially at my parents house where the light is always perfect.

Since I was my parents house, I went to church with them, but I have to say that I desperately missed my church.  We always have baptisms on Easter.  It's become a tradition since we moved into our first permanent building a few years ago. It's energizing and exciting. There are a few that are planned and then there are always one or two that happen in the moment.  People in dressed in their Easter clothes who meet Jesus for the first time and take that immense step of faith.  It's amazing to see Jesus change lives right before your eyes.  I missed it.  I missed the worship too.

But it was nice to see old friends (my parents church was the one I grew up going to) and be with my whole family.  And then have a meal together afterwords.  That doesn't happen very often any more.  I take it when I can get it.

I hope that you all had a lovely Resurrection Day, as well.
Hopefully it included a few silly face photos.

ps...anyone else love Easter almost more than Christmas?  It's so joyful and alive and the weather is warming up (or attempting to.  ours was rather rainy and chilly).  It's a celebration focused more on church than presents and gift giving.  And there's always loads of chocolate! 

2 point 5 seconds

My sister came to visit with her brood last week.
I got to see them for about 2 point 5 seconds.
Staff training ate up all my free time.
That was tough...

My littlest niece just turned one.
I can't even believe it.
I found the cutest books (that I wanted to keep for myself) to give her for her big day.
She's such a peanut with hot red hair.

It was torture knowing they were so close, but I was too busy to get away.
Hopefully they won't forget who their auntie is.

I'm already contemplating a visit when I'm released from these 22 acres.
Perhaps a long weekend in late summer?

Just for the record....

...it is 100% not fun to live several states away from your nieces and nephew.

No. Sir-rreee.

I miss you, little munchkins!

And we begin...

Week 1.

Here it is.

Kids? check.

Counselors? ready and slightly nervous.

Management staff? on call for any problems.

Here we go.


Side note: Happy Father's Day to my Daddy-O. Got to be lazy and watch some of the US Open with him and my momma last night. It was lovely. I'm one lucky girl. My dad is the bestest.

Double side note: This auntie is desperately missing her little nuggets. Just look how sweet they are in this photo...

loved by everyone

Eliza Grace arrived 2 weeks early. Shocked us all. This Auntie, however, is not complaining. Had she been born on time, I would not have met her until she was about 3 months old. That would have been tough to handle, let me tell you.

She's a tiny, almost 6 pound sweetie. So, so tiny. Just look at the way she fits on my lap. And a sleeper too. She rarely cried in the 3 days I got to spend with her. Plus, she loved to snuggle. Very unlike her brother and sister who were wiggle worms the moment they entered the world.


And these two....oh, my. They are head over heels for their new little sister. They ask for Baby Eliza the moment they wake up and about 50 times during the day, too. It's really adorable.



I have about 67 more photos to share, but I'll leave you with this new, happy family of 5. I have to pinch myself when I think about my little sister being a mom of 3. How in the world did that happen?