Happy and Blessed Easter!

Our table centerpiece for the next 50 days! I just LOVE the Easter season--especially because I'm eating sweets again!!

Here is Bubbles during the Easter egg hunt. 2011

Here is Prez, above and below, very excited about the Easter egg hunt. 2011

Getting ready for the annual easter egg hunt. 2010

Easter 2010. My, how they've grown!

Above and below are both Easter 2008 or was it 2009? Who knows.

Vacation.-Last Day

Agenda: Visit Dallas Museum of Natural Science, return to East Texas to pack up for trip home.

So, after a FABULOUS breakfast at Grandma's house, we packed up our stuff (again) and loaded down the cars for the return trip home. Lucky for us, the museum was on our way home.

Barbie and Tater at the bubble table.

Tater and I with Sweetness, taking a break!

I just can't stop myself from being a teacher!!!

This is the future farmers of America section--I guess. Here you collect your eggs.

Then you must milk your cow--poor Elsie.

Then you drive it all into town to be sold. Isn't that smile priceless?

Even Ken gets in on the fun in the water room!

Isn't this the best picture? Perhaps we'll make Texans out of them, yet!

The background is the Ferris Wheel from our State Fair.

Vacation Continued--Day Five

Agenda: Celebrate Bubble's eleventh birthday! Learn how to make eggrolls from Grandma Vicki and enjoy a homemade Chinese meal to include GREAT company--my family--even my cousin! Aren't they the best?

"Only get a little bit. We don't want raw meat on the inside."

Place it in exactly the right spot! "Way to go, Tater!"

"Make a little pillow by folding up the bottom and keeping the insides tucked in."

Seal it up really well. Tater should have been Chinese or perhaps a cook?

FRY THOSE BABIES! (Could my offspring be any crazier?)

Boys relax while girls work. That's okay, we licked our fingers and didn't tell them. :)

Line up to enjoy awesome food!!

Dessert most definitely had to be birthday cake!

With low lights and mediocre sincere singing, Sweetness is still in shock.

Officer Friendly aka. Uncle Tommy even stopped by before heading in for his night shift! The big surprise of the night...Ken got to ride along and enjoy some "fun". I guess that kind of thrill is a boy thing!

I think we all turned in around 1am. It was an amazing night. Thank you, Mom and Dad!

Twelve years and counting....

Love is patient and kind. It is not jealous, is not pompous, it is not inflated,

it is not rude, it does not seek its own interests,

it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury,

it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth.

It bears all things, believes all things,

hopes all things,

endures all things.

Love never fails.

Happy Anniversary, Babe! Looking forward to an eternity with you and many more blessings. Love you, honey!

Happy Birthday Holy Father!

Today is the 84th birthday of Pope Bendict XVI. In honor of him, here is a little quiz to get you acquainted.

1. Where was the Pope born?

a. England

b. Germany

c. Denmark

2. What were his parent's names?

a. Stephan and Agnes

b. Josef and Mary

c. Henry and Anne

3. How many languages does he speak?

a. six

b. ten

c. eleven

4. How many siblings does he have?

a. none

b. two

c. thirteen

5. What instrument does the Pope play?

a. accordion

b. piano

c. guitar

6. What kind of pets does the Pope have?

a. dogs

b. cats

c. birds

Are you ready for your answers????

All the answers are (b)--for Benedict.

In honor of Our Holy Father, we indulged in some awesome Bavarian food--schnitzel, marinated green beans, and sauerkraut. I intended to do funnel cakes for dessert, but was not able to. Next year I might try Bavarian potato ravioli which is supposed to be his favorite meal.

Lord, source of eternal life and truth, give to your shepherd, Benedict, a spirit of courage and right judgment, a spirit of knowledge and love. By governing with fidelity those entrusted to his care, may he, as successor to the Apostle Peter and Vicar of Christ, build your Church into a sacrament of unity, love and peace for all the world. Amen.

Bubbles...eleven years of joy and love

In the middle of a very busy and fun week, we had the pleasure of spoiling Bubbles on her eleventh birthday. Great Wolf Lodge has been her birthday dream since they opened and so being able to go there was a momentous occasion. Our vacation plans also included a stop by Grandma's house for a homemade Chinese meal, so it was the perfect time for aunts and uncles to come over and enjoy some birthday cake.

We also celebrated Sunshine's birthday, which is fast approaching.

Posted here for your viewing pleasure are some of my favorite images of Bubbles. Man, how time flies.

She is a talented and beautiful blessing to our family and anyone she meets. We are so very proud of her and the way she tries to live a holy, giving, joyful life.