Easter Festivities

Happy late Easter! I am going to apologize now, for this is a long post, full of pictures. Yes, my blogging has partly become my scrapbook, considering I have not scrapbooked in seven months. My time blogging has taken its place right now. Sorry for so many pictures, but I had to take advantage of good photo ops.

Our first Easter egg hunt was in our neighborhood down at our park.

Henry and all his buddies from the neighborhood.

Brook and Blair, Frida and Charlotte, and Me with Mary Taylor

Mary Taylor was not interested in the Easter egg hunt, but she loved carrying all the bags and buckets like purses. Everything with a handle is a purse.  

I was shocked that Hannah, Henry and Anna stopped for three seconds to take a picture.

On Tuesday we had a church playgroup Easter egg hunt at another park in the area.

All the boys plus Elie!!!

M. T. enjoyed eating the candy with her one tooth. At least she tried!

Our attempt to get all the kids in the picture. I know two or three are missing, Oh well, we tried.

On Saturday, we had the privilege of my sister Amelia coming into town to spend Easter with us. We had the great time at Piedmont Park. My children love spending time with her, she is the best! Mary Taylor would not go to anyone else the whole day! I took advantage of her being here...we cut each others hair and she took tons of pictures for me, so I could  be in some of them...all so we can save money for our adoption!!

Me, Henry, and Amelia

Amelia and Henry had a fun time dying Easter eggs.

I can't get enough of my sweet, crazy, precious little boy!

Finally a family picture of us! Not great, but this is our life...right! Thanks Amelia!

It was hard not letting MT jump back into Amelia's arms. Oh...off she goes again! ( next picture)

MT loves some her some "MeMe"!

(Amelia's nickname given by Henry when he was first learning to talk)

Henry and Mary Taylor loved the firetruck.

Look at Mary Taylor's face! She loved walking by herself. She had the best time!

I will cherish this one!

Then we stopped at the "big playground" as Henry calls it.

Mary Taylor did not like the sand...one bit!

She would not let Amelia put her back in.

Miss Priss is too funny!

Henry makes friends everywhere we go, whether it be the park, chickfila, or the drugstore.

He loves anybody that will run around with him!

On the way to the car, we passed by the cuttest dogs...I think they were called Cockapoos ( a mix between cocker spaniel and poodle). The kids loved them! We have two big dogs in our house, so it is fun for them to see small dogs.

Mary Taylor wasn't too sure about this strange man letting her hold the dog. Look at this cute dog!!

Ohh... then fell asleep!

Easter morning the kids each enjoyed their Easter baskets. I would like to say their baskets were full of symbolic gifts pertaining to the resurrection, but...no they were full of candy and a pair of sunglasses...maybe next year...when I have a third child adopted from Uganda I will have time to do that..Ha Ha!

Henry is trying so hard to sit still and take a picture for me.

Then we headed to our friends, the Hardees, for breakfast and Henry and Mary Taylor enjoyed yet another Easter egg hunt. Henry and Anna had the best time eating every bit of candy! Yes, he was bouncing off the walls at this point...if not before!

With this being the third Easter Egg hunt, everyone got a little distracted after a little while. 

This food was delicious! Thanks Frida for still having us over,

even though you did not feel good. It was delicious!

I love this picture of Charolette patting Mary Taylor, too bad my eyes were closed.  

  

It's a sign of new life! He is risen!

The Hardees, a sweet family that lives in our neighborhood.

 

Two babies with their daddy! Everyone is worn out already and it is only 10:00 am!

This is going to be a long day!

  After our wonderful breakfast, we headed to church. Yay, the real reason we celebrate Easter! Oh, how refreshing the sermon was and the music helped us worship our king! At church the kids always run around after the sermon, but they often get hurt, so one of the young teenagers in our church, Abigail, sat with the kids and told them a story that they were very intrigued with. The kids were sad when it was over, but Abigial said she would continue the story next week. She is a very mature 13 year old. What a blessing Abigail is to our church.

Abigail and all the kids!

Henry, Mary Taylor, James, and Drew...poor Drew!

Sam, James and Henry

Me, Mary Taylor, Teddy, and Hannah

Sweet baby girls is sooooo tired!!

After church, the plan was to go to Dee's parents house, because they live in town, but his father was in the hospital all weekend. Cleve has been battling cancer for about five months now, so he had some complications and had to be hospitalized. Please pray for him as he struggles with this sickness.... So Easter was postponed with the DeBardelebens. Anyway, Dee made the excecutive decision to go to my Grandmother's house instead. They were already celebrating anyway. Mary Taylor and Henry are the only grandchildren on my side of the family, so everyone was surprised and thrilled to get to spend Easter with them.

Mary Taylor loves her daddy and he is a sucker for her!

After four Easter egg hunts Mary Taylor finally has it down.

 

Mary Taylor has lots of loves...including Robert!

Corrie and Grandmother with Mary Taylor.

Grandmother's gettin some love from baby girl!

Cousin Rachel, Henry, and Amelia watching "Mary Poppins" on tv.

Henry would watch tv all day if I let him.

We had such a great weekend, especially because my sister was here with us. Amelia, thanks for all your help with the kids. Let us know when you want to come back!! HeHeHe!

Christ has risen! Our old self has been crucified with him!

Rejoice, for we are new creations!!

He is making all things new! What great news!