Easter Festivities

Saturday I took the girls up to the Nappanee Easter Egg Hunt.  

It was a little soggy but at least the sun was trying to shine through.

Kelsi found a friend from school to hunt with.

Karli was quite the little sprinter!  

It was a good hunt with lots of tootsie rolls! 

                                    

Can't forget this cute kiddo!  He had a soccer game and couldn't go with us.

Sunday, they were dressed in their best, ready for church! 

It was a beautiful day!  Perfect day for Easter!   

I was in the nursery at church, which I love!  I usually end up with the same sweeties when I go to first service.  But, to be honest..... I was a little disappointed to not be able to worship on Easter Sunday.  Towards the end of the service/worship Rob came back to see if I could come take communion with him and Nathan.  So I did and man, did I feel full after that!  Full of joy!  Full of blessings!  I don't know!  

I just felt the Holy Spirit!
We took communion and the worship team was singing "Beautiful The Blood".  

That is my most favorite worship song ever!!  (Well, one of them!)

Do you know the lyrics?

I never knew death could be so sweet
I never knew surrender could feel so free
I never seen such meekness in majesty
That the blood of Jesus was bled for me

And now I sing freedom for all my days
It's only by the power of the cross I'm raised
The King of Glory rescued me

How beautiful the blood flow
How merciful the love show
The King of glory poured out
Victorious are we now

Never knew through these nails would love unfold
And never knew these wounds would heal my soul
I've never seen such beauty and sorrow meet
The blood of Jesus was bled for me

Once I  heard that song, I wasn't disappointed that I missed the service.  

After being thanked for helping in nursery, "on Easter", by a sweet, sweet family I wasn't disappointed!   

I was so glad that I had nursery duty that Sunday!  I hope that everyone that serves at church some way or another can feel that joy and appreciation when they think they might "miss out" when serving, like I thought I was going to.  I will definitely be more thankful for those people who help out!

 Sunday continued.......
After church, we had a wonderful Easter dinner at the Blucker's
and spent the afternoon hanging out with family.

  

Pete, Sheri (Rob's oldest sister), Jordan, Cristen (Jordan's girlfriend), Niall, and Zoe
Rick and Jen were there, too!  They just didn't ask for a family picture.  :)

Then we went home and dyed some eggs!  Little late but the girls had to do it!

Nathan did not like the smell of vinegar!  Can you tell by his face?

(That's the one bad thing about putting a finger coated with vinegar on a terrible two year old's tongue when they  say "no"!  Now he hates anything that has vinegar!)

Finally, a slight smile!

The end result...happy girls and sweet memories!

It's only by the power of the cross I'm raised (and my children)!  

Thank you, Jesus, for dying on the cross!

Spring Break

We had a great time over Spring Break with our friend's, Jeremy, Jessi, Chloe, & Seth, at this awesome water park in the Dells.  Each park was great! 

We spent the most time in the dome with the wave maker.  

It was a beautiful sunny day and it felt like we were outside!

My beautiful friend! :) 

 Then we went to Schaumburg on the weekend.  Girls were a little tuckered out!

We had connecting rooms with the Yoder's and had a little fun!  

Jessi and I even got a chance to get away and do a little shopping and talking at IKEA!

 Then it was time to go home.  :(  Thanks for going with us Yoder's!  We had a great time!

Sleeping Beauties

Awhile ago, on a shopping trip with the kids, Rob bribed the girls.

(He doesn't do that often....really! :)

At Old Navy the girls found these colorful, silky eye masks and HAD to have them.  Rob told the girls that he would buy them but ONLY if they wear them ALL the way home!

They were all over that!  Yep!  They were going to wear them all the way home!  :)

They did end up wearing them all the way home and eventually falling asleep in the car.
(Rob's sneaky little plan in the first place!)

The masks were handy, too, when I wanted to take a picture of them asleep in bed!
They weren't bothered at all when I turned on the lights to get a good picture!  :)

Well, tonight was funny and it goes along with my "Sleeping Beauties".

So tonight I told them both that if there is any talking I will shut off the music and nightlight.  

(I'm so mean, I know!)

See Karli likes to talk after they have been put to bed.  Most days she gets a two hour nap at the babysitters and does not settle down so easily.  She goes to bed but not to sleep!

Then Kelsi is soooo tired from her day at school, she just wants Karli to be quiet!  (Of course, there is complaining and it is just a battle!)

After awhile I start hearing this nonstop talking!  I yell down the hallway "Karli be quiet!  I am going to come back and shut off your music and lights!"  The next thing I hear is Kelsi shouting back, "But, Mom, it's me!  I am just telling Karli a story so that she will settle down and fall asleep!"

How can I say no to that!  :)