Easter 2010

Some days are just perfect. Like right now - I am blogging from my deck. I wish you could see my deck, but my camera is broken. So maybe not everything is perfect, but I can't imagine a more wonderful time spent with friends than we had today.

Several weeks ago I got this bright idea that I would actually attempt garment sewing and try to make the girls' Easter dresses. I have to admit that it was harder than I anticipated but I learned soooo much in the process. Easton got to go tie shopping (and blazer - check out Mr. Handsome) with dad for his Easter frock.


I had enough material left that I also made myself a matching skirt. I know that's sappy and gross - but I can only do these things while they are young enough not to be embarrassed by it!

It has become our tradition to have friends over for Easter dinner who do not have family in the area. It began with just two families in 2007 and this year we had seven! Here is my kitchen ready to seat the masses.

It is also my tradition that everyone gets their picture made in their Sunday clothes. As kids we were "trained" not to take off our nice clothes until Big Granny saw us and took our picture. My guests were all warned and played along :-)

The Barhams

The Peimanns

The Ailstocks

The Embrys

The Olivers (and Mama Joyce)

The Kihns

The Smiths

Miss Emily (Smith - see above) has become quasi-famous in these parts for her "cake-balls". She make them look like Easter eggs and put them in a cute basket.

I could not get a picture (stupid camera) but Miss Melodie (Oliver) brought me some special boxes of Fannie May chocolates. She said that growing up it was her grandmother's tradition to give them each a box of chocolates from Chicago. I love that. I make people dress up and take pictures, Melodie passes out chocolate. It's all about those silly little memories that we hold so dear. And yet after 4 years THIS itself has become a memory to cherish.

And there was more than just cake balls and chocolate. So, so, SO much food. I might not eat again until Tuesday. Here are the boys outside on the deck.

And the girls

And more girls

And this cute one

Is it bad to say that I'm happy I don't have a 4,000 square foot house? I'm not sure it would be as fun if we weren't squished up together in the kitchen.

Lucy got to hang with Spencer for a bit. (this is a big deal folks - she's a MAMA's girl)

And then of course we have to have an Easter egg hunt!

Hmm...What has baby Maria found?

Chocolate! Smart girl.

After the Easter egg hunt, the kids played, the adults talked, then the adults played (cornhole) and then kids talked. Add in dessert, more talking and playing (oh, and some raid fights between Spencer, some wasp and a few bumble bees. So sorry if you had to miss that - it was priceless) and it could not have been a better Easter.