Easter 2014

After spending months and months indoors it was safe to say we were thrilled that the weather was finally nice, and that we were hitting the road for Ohio.

Most days what you see below is how I survive... protein bar and caffeine... 

The kids were pretty good. 

They slept until we hit the Ohio state line.. 

But then we had a bit of a meltdown .... screams, shreiks, kicks, tears.... so I busted out my bag of tricks, and saved the day with suckers.

And then we were there.

the kids were happy with their baka, papa and swings.. 

they love the swings in Papa's yard..

And I even got a little business order completed and sent out.

and then I went on a little hunt for a jewelry box, and finally found this cute blue one below.. 

the shorts and napkins were a bonus. It just felt good to do a little damage.

With any luck I can wear the shorts in August??? Spring/Summer, where the hell are you by the way????

Naps were a-plenty on this trip.

I think its because my kids arent used to being outside! 

We seriously spent more cold frigid days inside than I can ever remember... but I digress...

Anyways.. they were wiped out.

This lil guy... he sleeps anywhere.. just not through the night .. but thats okay 

I remember when we used to put Sam in this crib at Baka's and she would be scared sometimes... Not Andrew. He does go to bed pretty good lately

The Easter Bunny had arrived!

Samantha was so excited. 

She got a lot of cute stuff.. Minimal candy :)

Frozen book, Frozen coloring book, Tea Set (you can never have too many in my opinion)

New Nalgene bottle, Princess Soap, New Silverware, Yogurt Stars, Cadbury Eggs, Flashlight, Bubbles, Neon Crayons & Colored Pencils, A Chocolate Chicken, Ballet Sucker... I think thats about it. 

NuNu's Basket 

was filled with 

Organic Lollies, Flashlight, Tub Foam Stickers, Max's Chocolate Chicken Book, Puffs, White Chocolate Sucker (that he gave to Sister) Plush Stingray

He was more interested in where Cleo - the cat was...

She was very excited about the Chocolate Chicken. We'd been watching Max's Chocolate Chicken, so of course the Easter bunny had better have a chocolate chicken in her basket!

Mr Gardener - He discovered his love of digging and worms before we left for Ohio, and he went right into Baka's garden where he left off at home

We hung around on Easter morning and enjoyed the sun.

I made the pioneer woman's pie crust and made a Flat Pear Pie to bring to brunch/dinner.

The kids BOTH fell asleep before 12 noon on Easter, so the inlaws and Teta Nina headed to the Easter celebration, and we let the kids sleep.. never wake a sleeping baby(ies)... especially when traveling... 

The cousins... 

We ate, they played.. 

We came home, and then we all felt sort of like this... (below)

It was time for bed. 

We hit the road the next day and arrived home and back to the grind. 

Hope everyone had a wonderful Easter, we sure did!

Easter 2012

We celebrated Easter today!

We all woke up around 7:30am.

Headed downstairs, and I asked Samantha who had come? I put the baskets right in front of the fireplace, but she was a little sleepy, so it took her a while to find her basket.. ha!

She wasnt too candy crazy at first.. and played with her new bug catcher, and lip balm first

I think I overdid it again.. I cant help it.. I buy stuff and hide it, and when I go to put everything all together I forget half the things I bought. She was pretty happy with her loot. I tried not to give her too much candy... but we let her have some this morning since it was Easter and all.

We got her a Cinderella Barbie, Ballerina book, and activity book, Band Aids (since she's always putting them on her babies) a puzzle, Playdoh eggs, some lip smackers (to add to her "pretties" as she calls lip balm" Some kit kats, rabbit suckers, A huge box of new crayons, and some other small stuff, kit kats, bunny marshmallows, and of course jellybeans!

Andrew got a little basket too.. some dino jammies, baseball paci's, a book, and some Bert's Bees Powder

After baskets we had breakfast and then it was outdoors for an Egg Hunt! This year was great because she REALLY understood what the egg finding was all about.

Daddy did a good job hiding the eggs.
And Andrew was napping so we got to just give her our attention which was wonderful

She opened every single egg as she found it, and had a taste or bite of whatever was inside.. and emptied its contents into her little basket.. and of course she had some hysterical commentary that I thankfully caught on video.. she's so funny to listen to, Mat and I laugh all day long...

We went to the park before lunch and she played a little and ran around.. we had a minor meltdown when leaving, and then at home she curled up on the couch really early and asked to go to nap at 12 noon!

I guess all that candy for breakfast made her crash! No problem.. I took her up and she slept for 3 hours solid. -- Thank goodness.. while I got to work on my deviled eggs, and buttercream for my orange cupcakes!

We had dinner with my 2 aunts, uncle richie, and grammy came over. Ham, Carrots, Potatoes, Asparagus, Rye Bread and Deviled Eggs. Yum!

Dessert was my job, no problem. Mom brought a tray of cookies which were amazing. I made Orange Cupcakes with Vanilla Buttercream Frosting. I used the Williams Sonoma recipe for the Buttercream, and I think I found a new favorite.. It was the BEST tasting most creamiest ever! Jelly Beans, Chocolates and some Bunny and Chick suckers I made.

This was the best Brother - Sister pic we could get.. She wouldnt sit next to him...
Grammy loves her little man...

SJ had the most adorable pink smocked seersucker dress on for Easter.. but it wasnt complete without her Ruby Slippers of course

She had so much fun with all the company, and ate like a pig!

Our attempt at a family picture...

It was such a nice Easter day/evening.. and Sassy once again was in bed early and went down without a problem.. hmm, maybe I should give her sugar/chocolate/candy more often during the day!

Happy Easter!

Week Before Easter

I am WAAAY behind on so many posts.. I've neglected my blog.. and finally got some time today while Andrew fell asleep on the boppy pillow on my lap.. I am typing this!

So here we go..

This was the week before Easter.
Samantha was really understanding this year that the Bunny was coming to her house.

We kept telling her about the egg hunt, and finding her Easter basket.. and of course reminding her all week to be good or else he wont come!

I got together an Easter package for our Nieces Grace and Julia in Ohio and I made some homemade goodies to put in there.

Bunny Bait - found on Pinterest

It was really easy, and I used homemade popcorn. Basically you mix pretzel pieces, M&M's and you drizzle melted white chocolate over and spread the mix on a baking sheet until all the chocolate has dried. I added some sprinkles too while the chocolate was still hot.

I also got these cute printable "hoppy easter" signs off Pinterest too.

Bunny and Chick suckers went in the basket too.

Easter weekend was really nice and sunny outside.

Saturday Daddy and SJ headed to Grammy's house to help her turn some soil and plant blueberry and raspberry bushes.

And Brother and I headed to Target for a few last minute Easter goodies.. and Diapers (of course!)

Usually I CANNOT take him anywhere.. But he was surprisingly sleeping the ENTIRE trip to Target... He woke up in the car on the way home though.. screaming as if you had a flame to his hand.. oh brother!!!!!!!!!

He was FINE once I took him out, and he fell back asleep in the sun (below) when we got to Grammy's house.. My frustration?? - WHY CANT HE JUST KEEP SLEEPING THE ENTIRE TIME!!!!

Samantha loved being at Gigi's house.. she loves her hammock swing.

We got her in bed early and I put together the baskets and filled her eggs for the outdoor hunt the next day..

Oh it feels good to finish a post finally!!

I've got about 4-5 in the draft phase as well.. I hope to get them out soon!!

Easter Egg Hunt {April 1, 2012}

Our village puts on an egg hunt every year.

Last year Samantha was too little, but this year she was ready to go.

The weather however was really crummy.

Sleet...

Yes sleet and rain.. gross.

But we made the best of it, bundled up, and got our baskets ready...

She was so excited.

She could hardly wait to cross the lines...
Her quick smile.

And then she was off. She was so funny, she really didnt care about getting as many egg,s as she could, but she was slowly making her way around the park... asking if she could go in the sleet and rain covered swings and slides..

She got the hang of it eventually... after she realized we werent there to play on the wet swingset

This guy however was the highlight of the Egg Hunt for SJ.

She could have stayed there all day talking to him.

She took a pic, and wanted to keep giving him hugs.. etc..

We had to literally bribe her to leave the park..

It was a cute little egg hunt.

And she got to cash in her eggs for a bag of candy on the way out!

Blessed Easter Sunday

Easter Sunday 2011!

{He has RISEN!}

We got up bright and early

(I was hoping peanut would sleep in till at LEAST 7:30.. ok I'll take 7:10

(Most of her basket is in my carry on bag/diaper bag seen below)

But I pulled some things out that she could open on the morning, for tradition's sake!

Holding her new Barbie.. should i say very FIRST Barbie..
{she kind of didnt care about the Barbie.. which I was glad I didnt pack her then!}


Daddy made some eggs and hashbrowns and we got all pretty for Sunday Mass at 9:30.

She was so well behaved in Church, considering it was standing room only.. She had fun looking at all the "keeeds" in their Easter best.


{on our way to Church}

She wore an adorable "smocked"style romper with a sweet white sweater..

After that we came home, ate some lunch,

and Momma made a list (daily ritual for me) for what to bring to GiGi's house later..

My Mom had us all over, along with my two Aunts for a Traditional Easter Dinner.

My Grandma Betty Jane used to have Easter at her house when I was growing up, and Mom went to the famous "market" that everyone around here goes to for Easter and got all the traditional foods for the occasion. It was so yummy, and beautiful.

{Chruscki, Butter Lamb, Easter Bread, Chocolates}

Some of the traditions are a Butter Lamb, Easter Bread, Ham of course, we had a huge spread.. rosemary roasted veggies, potatoes au gratin, yummy fresh bread and traditional mustard used..

And.. This YUMMY smoked sausage.

And I was on dessert duty....

{Cut Out Cookies & Lemon Mousse Torte}


{Eating her Easter dinner...and wanting to be "done"}
Gigi's house is so fun for her.. she never sits still for long..
Here's one reason why..


Fat Kitty...

She's no spring chicken.. so this could be her last Easter.. sad.. Samantha loves her .. just such a sweet cat.. she lets her do anything to her..

{SJ and Gigi}

I told you she doesnt sit still EVER!

We played, ate, drank, laughed and even talked to my sis via Skype





It was a great Easter!!
Im enjoying reading about all of yours as well

Im busy packing away for our vacay in a few days! So if you dont hear from me... I'm at the beach!

I am bringing a journal, and plan to write in it the "old fashioned way" and I will document everything day by day when I get back.