Well, friends, my feet still hurt from walking around in heels all day yesterday.  I’m currently curled up on the couch with my toes on a warm cornbag, my legs under a flannel blanket, and a cat curled up by my side.  Davy is in the room with me, throwing around plastic easter eggs.  Everyone else is busy elsewhere.

This year, for Easter dinner, my side of the family all met at a hotel in Cooperstown, NY; they do a really nice buffet there, which means all we have to do is show up, load our plates and visit with each other. 

The drive is about 3ish hours for us, and because we were busy all day Saturday, we had to drive out Sunday morning.  Rich and I were so excited about life that we woke up that morning (was it really only yesterday!?) at 4:30, so you can imagine how we are both feeling how that we’ve gone and had fun and are now back home again. 

We met everyone at the hotel and when it was time for our seating, we all filed in and settled in for some fine dining.  Ethan and Jacob were in their element, they could eat all they wanted and order root beer.

There was a children’s table in the buffet room, complete with PB and J’s and chicken fingers (among other things).

THE COUPLES:

I had seafood, lamb, and a variety of yummy salads.  I had cheesecake for dessert, and a meringue cookie.  **yum**

After the meal, we all went outside for some family pictures.  It was quite chilly, sunny but very windy. 

The whole family. 

All the men and boys;

All the ladies (young and younger)

Melissa;

Maria;

Davy;

Grace;

Shanda;

Isaac;

with my BEAUTIFUL MOTHER:

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Rich and I stayed at a Holiday Inn Express last night with the children.  This morning, Ethan, Dave, and Caleb got to go swimming.

After we checked out, Rich took me to our favorite coffee shop in Cooperstown….and ordered 2 maple syrup lattes and these fantastic bagels, they were wonderful!

Rich had a fresh baked bagel with cream cheese, tomato, and pepper.  (I love how they boxed them up)

AND I HAD a bagel with cream cheese, tomato, avocado, bacon, and sprouts!!!  Oh my goodness it was SO GOOD! 

It was a nice little trip.  We got home a few hours ago.  Grace and I went for a walk together to stretch our legs after the long ride (it went by fast for me, though, because I was captivated by wikipedia history articles about the towns we were going through.  I’m a dork.)  I can’t tell you how fantastic it was to spend all that time together, as a family.  The children were constantly entertaining Rich and I with all the things they did and said.  For instance:

After Ethan went on a long technical explaination about what a persuasive essay was, I said:  “E, I really believe you would make a good teacher.  You should consider becoming a school teacher.”

Ethan replied, “But what would I do during summer vacation, how would I provide for myself?”

Me:  “You could get another job.  You could teach summer school.”

Ethan, groaning:  “I’m not sure.  Summer school, I imagine, is probably full of students that don’t do well during the regular school year.  They probably wouldn’t want to be there and wouldn’t care about learning.”

Rich, bursts out laughing, to me:  “I went to summer school once to make up two classes…………”

Ethan, overhearing:  blushes and laughs  (oops)

And,

Seth, to Caleb (who wasn’t wearing a shirt in the hotel room) “Is that your belly button?”

Then, Seth, turning to Papa and lifting up his shirt, discovered with great surprise “Oh!  You have a really good belly button!”

Now Rich is bragging about his belly button constantly. 

Yes, it was a good little trip for us.  Back here at home, our pond work is almost done.  I just can’t wait to show you pictures of the property when we have it completed.

Oh, and we also ordered new chicks!  Stay tuned…………………………..

Happy Monday, friends!

Found:  One small and sturdy wooden stool.  I found it today, and as it was sturdy and useful, I snatched it right up, at the local thrift shop.  On the way to the car, I decided I would also paint it.  Having never painted furniture before, I was pleased and excited to find such a nice “first” piece to work on.  Seth and I drove to the Hardware store next, and in no time at all, chose the perfect shade:  Benjamin Moore “poolside blue”.

I put on my apron, went outside to the picnic table, kept the newspaper down with rocks, and got to work. 

Like most adventures, this painting project was not without mishap.  I shook the lid right off the can.  (my mistake, I didn’t put the lid on tight enough after the first coat)

But, the final results were truly satisfying.

We think it is very pretty.

And best of all, the littles won’t have to tip the trash can upside down in order to reach the bathroom sink anymore. 

1.  A perfectly perfect for me, new shirt. 

2.  Thia, I found the first spring violet yesterday!

3.  A framed quote found at the store, waiting patiently for me. Love at first sight.

4.  A snippet of homemade lace, pinned to a basket for some quick and easy prettiness.

5.  Sarah and I tried on our Easter dresses.

Scared Stiff

Sarah Joy stepped daintly outdoors with her trusted mother, holding her hand, to see what Papa and Uncle were (noisily) doing Out There.  And before she could bat an eye, she was sitting on Uncle’s lap, buckled in tight, riding on the Loud Thing.

Uncle told her everything she needed to know about what he was doing, and he started off as gently as possible.  After all, this was a manly man big machine, in the midst of so much dirt and mud, and quite unlike anything Sarah could even imagine.

She didn’t cry.  She just scowled, she thought about it, and she didn’t move much, while her family grinned from the sidelines.

Papa took a video and Mama snapped some photos.

We wonder, will she want to go on it again? 

“No!” she says, emphatically, every time the topic comes up.

However, she is proud of herself, that she tried it, once.

I still need to make a birthday cake but I thought I’d sit and post some pictures of what we woke up to this morning:

snow falling on the last day of March, Happy Birthday to my husband!

His brother Jason is here with us this weekend, along with his wife Mary and their four children……I made french toast, sausage, and homefries for breakfast, as the birthday man requested.  Then, while everyone was eating and talking, I slipped away outside to take some pictures of our last snow fall of the season (we hope).

These poor little daffies could hardly hold up their heads because of their heavy, cold hats.

I stood underneath a dark, thickly branched pine tree.  It was dry under there, and peaceful.

Standing under another tree, I thought of Joanna, and her pretty embellishments she has done with some of her nature pictures, the swirls….these branches with their red buds added swirls to this photograph.

Jason is assuring me that it will all look nice when he’s done re-digging our long pond.  This is the project that my husband rented the heavy equipment for.  They are making the pond deeper and adding a jumping/fishing dock at one end.

Rich and his brother, Jason.  Soon this place that they are standing in will be full of water again. 

The morning snow has melted and it’s a muddy mess outside at our place. 

(Incidently, my boys were all so sad about the loss of their favorite bullfrogs out of this pond as it drained.  Jacob and Ethan spent some time trying to save some by throwing them into the other pond.)

A picture from inside (although I have gone out twice…to the store and then out with Rich as he ran errands for the Project.  He bought me a vanilla chai!)

Their Daddies are brothers and you can tell, huh?  Caleb and Chyanne could be siblings.  They are both six years old.

Mary (my sister in law) is out with some of the girls getting ingredients for dinner.  She generously asked to cook for us tonight, hurray I have the night off!

I do have to go get that cake mixed up though!  Here is another picture of Rich and Seth (that I took yesterday).  Happy Birthday, honey!

Much love to all my friends!  Do take the time to say hello, won’t you? 

A Friday ritual. A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from the week.

A simple, special, extraordinary moment.

A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. (inspired by soulemama)

It will be wonderful to have school let out for the summer.  I miss having the long days with my children, the ones who GO to school now instead of STAYING HOME with me (mama).  Jacob, Ethan, Grace, Davy, and Caleb.  I miss having them HOME WITH ME ALL DAY EVERYDAY.  They are busy now, at school, and they enjoy it very much.  But, we haven’t made a stuffed animal all year.  And here it is March when just yesterday it was August.  Time is going too fast, too fast.  So now I am dreaming of summertime. 

Thankful for today, though, too…the here and now.

Yes, inserting your baby into it’s stroller can be a real challenge, I understand the difficulties.  The legs go one way and the head goes another.  When I suggested that she “pull on her feet” she thought I meant “remove her shoes”.  That didn’t help…..the tears threatened to fall, and so I did it for her. 

Sarah likes to remark that her baby is “TIE-YERD” now.  So tie-yerd. 

They are currently upstairs, tucked into bed (both of them).

I thought I would share the cuteness.

A good dose of cute will brighten anyone’s day.  Yes?

She’s so cute, it’s scary.

twirly, whirly in a pink ruffled dress and polka dotted sleeves and pants

Happiness is a warm cat curled up by your toes

and wearing your Davy’s socks.

How do I know he loves me when he doesn’t say a word?  Oh, but his purr is very loud (the loudest I’ve ever heard).

We made granola bars this morning, yum. 

We drew pictures and played with stickers.

We read a book, “Runaway Bunny”, in my bed.

Seth threw three boxes of puzzles around in the livingroom (about 300 pieces, total) before I could stop him, it was pretty rough getting him to clean up his mess.  He did it, though, and then I saw the biggest smile of joy.

Sarah had a bath and Seth came in and put his head down in the water.  She yelled, “NO SETH!” at him.

We watched “Busy Town” and “Max and Ruby”.

I put a card in the mailbox, for Joanna. 

I’m wearing Grace’s fabric bracelet (and Davy’s socks?) I told you I missed them!

I ate Sarah’s leftover cheese sandwich for lunch.

I am full of thanksgiving today, for my home and family and friends.

((hugs)) much love to you.

Hi friends,  I love this color yellow, it makes me happy.  How are you today?  We are fine.  The sun is shining but it’s only 45 degrees with a very chilly wind.  I’ve been continuing to hang laundry out on the line but boy does it make my hands cold.  However, the smell of the dry (cold) clothes as I fold them, sweet & fresh, is quite rewarding. *breathing deep*

The funeral for Grandpa on Saturday was sad but special, too, to see all of the family together again.  There were lots of hugs and catching up.  Rich and I enjoyed being back in our hometown.

Speaking of Rich, we have been going on dates again.  Once a week, we leave the older children in charge of the younger ones and the two of us go, alone, to town.  We like to go to the bookstore, ordering coffee and tea on the way.  Maybe we do a little shopping, and we also have a light dinner.  We’ve done this for the last four weeks, and we can both sense a difference in our relationship; we’re more sure of each other, we remember each other again, we’re developing our friendship and love.  I love the intimacy of marriage, the feel of his hand in mine, listening to him (again) tell me how beautiful I am, and knowing how right we are for each other. 

Here is a verse that I read this morning, in my one year Bible, that I especially liked:  What you say flows from what is in your heart.  Luke 6:45

 My pretty kitties

I got out Caleb’s old trains and set up a track for Seth and Sarah.  It kept them occupied for a little while: