Easter 2012

My favorite Easter facebook status, by Ric White, the minister and friend that married us 8.5+ years ago.

That awkward moment when the guy you put to death gets up out of the tomb, very much alive, and turns out to be the Savior of the world.
Happy Resurrection Day, everybody.

I obviously have a lot of pictures, so I though the collages were the best way to go for these.

Connor had a blast dying eggs on Saturday afternoon after a full day of spreading mulch (very sore knees) and playing with friends. We only had one casualty out of a dozen eggs, so I thought that was great! (and it was my fault...it cracked when I dropped it into the pot to boil.)

Easter morning, Connor was up at 6:15, but I managed to get him to lay with me (in the guest bedroom) until about 6:45 when he just couldn't wait any longer and I told him to go see daddy. Brian asked him to go see if the Easter bunny had come, but Connor refused. We figured out he was concerned that the bunny might still be there! I'm not exactly sure what made him think this, but last week we saw the bunny very casually ordering pizza at Sbarro in the mall and then he walked through some double doors. Connor can tell you all about it, but I'm guessing this casual behavior led to his concern about the bunny drinking coffee and reading a paper in our living room?? The bunny got very creative this year...my favorite being the Elmo egg driving Connor's toy plane. There was also an Elmo egg operating the Keurig and getting a drink of water from the fridge. There were 77 eggs in all. Unless I miscounted on either end, Connor found 76 (we are positive all the hard-boiled ones were found!) He also got a basket with treats: a large egg filled with Reese's eggs, 3 Chuggington trains (Harrison, Eddie's Carriage House, & Speedy McAllister), as well as a stuffed chick and a package of 4 "Easter Speedster" Hotwheels cars. He was even more excited about all the candy inside the eggs, but was unable to open the rascals. The eggs with a vertical opening are tough!

Brian went for a run following the hunt in preparation for his "Tough Mudder" in Ohio next weekend. He ran 8 miles and then put his suit on and stood in the lake for 10 minutes. His version of an "ice bath". (yes, our neighbors could see and came out on the porch to ask about his sanity). Then we got all dressed up and ready to go. Although it was very blustery, we managed to get a few pictures outside. I love the one of Connor on the left...what a little poser. I look super fat (and not necessarily pregnant in the upper center picture) but oh well. You can only do so much with a timer. The blooms are the Purple Prince Crabapple tree in the front and our center bed with tulips and lavendar. The tulips near the house didn't do so hot. I think the crazy weather has somehow zapped them. By the way, it is snowing. Of course nothing is sticking, but still....craziest weather ever.

Happy Easter!!

Independence Day 2008

2 new pictures because Brian noticed that in the one of us together, he was inadvertently flipping the bird...so here are 2 different ones.

We hosted 4th of July festivities at our house this year and had the Nealon crew over to celebrate. Everyone was able to make it except for Chris and Cari because Chris had a late baseball game. Anyway, I think everyone had a good time and we certainly enjoyed having everyone at our house. Brian spent all afternoon babysitting his ribs on the grill and we had quite a feast....and got to enjoy our new patio furniture too! The kitties joined us outside for a little while and Toonce got to dance....see video below. I know we are obnoxious...the kid is on the way. :)

Our new neighborhood is always looking for an excuse to have a party. So, in addition to our little gathering, there were big parties on each side of us too. Although I have no pictures of those, the fireworks presentations were beyond impressive for a neighborhood party! I am happy to report that the "Emerald City" fireworks that Mary brought added to the celebration just fine and we were able to hang with the big boys. ;) Fun times. (Just watch the first 20 seconds or so....it gets boring at the end, but I'm too lazy/not knowledgeable enough to edit.)