Miscellaneous Happenings

The first two weeks of April are quite hectic around our home as tax season draws to an end (but requires a lot more work) and Ryan is in Alaska.  We don't take as many pictures either, but here are a few I snapped.

I have no idea how Mia sleeps like this.

 The girls love riding their new bikes.  They were especially excited when they came across this little creek at the bottom of our hill; they had a lot of fun throwing rocks into it.

 Last Saturday, the girls and I went the gorgeous wedding of my cousin, Lee, and his beautiful bride, Jamie.  It was the perfect day for this outdoor wedding.  It was right on a lake and everything was perfect.  We all enjoyed it, and we wish them all the best!

 A couple of weeks ago, Lily school had its fundraising gala.  Ryan and I thoroughly enjoyed it.  They had lots of cool items for auction, delicious food, two auctioneers from the "Auction Kings" tv show and an awesome comedian named Kenn Kington.  It was a wonderful and fun evening with lots of friends.  We feel like the parents at this school are extended family of ours; we love them and we so glad to spend the evening with them!  We bid and won several items, but we were most excited to win this item.  Each class in the school made a thumbprint paintings, and each child signed their name and thumbprint color below.  Lily's class did this beautiful hummingbird, and she used magenta.  What a special and unique item!  Ryan did a great job of keeping on track and won it at the last minute.  What a great way to remember Lily's precious Kindergarten class!

 Lily and I stopped by Ryan's office this afternoon after school to pick something up, and she drew this sweet picture on his whiteboard.

Mia and Daddy enjoyed some ice cream after their daddy-daughter date tonight.  Per Mia's insistence, they went to Waffle House and then the ice cream shop.

Here is a link (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DgjOZ1UrYqA&feature=youtu.be) to see a video of Lily at ACCA's poetry contest.  She won her class contest and went on to the school contest.  She was so very nervous, so she didn't want to do the cute motions that went with the poem, but I was so proud of her for getting up in front of everyone and reciting her poem.  Go Lily!

Alaska, April 2013

Ryan just returned from his 8th trip to Ambler, Alaska.  He has developed so many great relationships and looks forward to each of these trips.  Here are a few of the awesome pictures he sent while he was gone this past time.  The snowy pictures are in Ambler while the first, not as snowy picture is from just outside Anchorage.

Easter Sunday

We start out Easter Sunday by giving the girls baskets of goodies.  We don't play "Easter bunny" but we give gifts as a reminder of the greatest gift God has given us.  He sent His son to die on a cross to pay the price for our sins, so that we might be forgiven.  Nothing could be better and nothing else is needed.

 The girls were excited to see their baskets with all its goodies.

 We all got ready for church (dressing up a little more than usual), and snapped a few pictures before we left.  The girls wore the dresses they wore to the Valentine's Dance with Ryan last month.

 A few family pictures.

 After a wonderful worship service at Johnson Ferry, we headed home and rested for just a bit before heading over to Robert and Judy's house.  Most of the family was there though a few people were out sick.  Here's the annual picture of all the kids just before the egg hunt.  I love seeing this picture every year!

 Mia had a blast looking for all the different eggs!

 Lily found lots of eggs too, but she was most excited about finding a gold and a silver one.

 Thankfully, the rain stopped soon after we arrived so we were able to spread out onto the porch and enjoy time with one another.  This picture shows what our family does well: love one another and eat together!

Family Tradition

After getting home from the egg hunt, we all took a little rest.  Ryan and I had hosted a Secret Church broadcast at our house Friday night, and we were pretty tired from that incredible experience.  After we all woke up, it was time for one of my favorite family traditions: egg coloring!  I think I love this so much because I have so many great memories of dying eggs at my Meme's house growing up.  I've always loved this.  The girls were very excited too!

 

Starting the project.

 Carefully checking on the eggs. 

Careful...

All smiles and having a great time!

 Lily's final results. 

 Mia's eggs.  She loved the one on the top right because she said it looks like a watermelon.

 After we finished dying the eggs, we took everything inside to decorate with stickers.  Lily had a Princess sticker set while Mia used a Mickey Mouse sticker set.

 Showing off their favorite eggs.

  Baskets full of eggs!

 Dirty hands mean a good time was had by all! 

Eggstravaganza!

On "Easter Eve" (as Lily called it) we headed to Whittier Mill Village for FBC of Chattahoochee's annual egg hunt.  This is such a fun day!  It was supposed to be an overcast and rainy day, but it turned out absolutely beautiful; we couldn't have asked for a better day.

The girls were ready to go!

 Mia started the fun by decorating a cookie to snack on before we headed over to the "lollipop tree" to pick a treat.

 We headed over to play on the playground for awhile.

 Yea for Papa's arrival!

 Playground awesomeness.

 Next up, some painting...a bunny on Mia's arm and a butterfly on Lily's cheek.

 Mia couldn't wait to get to the petting zoo!  She loved seeing the goats, pig, rooster, bunny and the calf though she kept calling it the little horse.

 After washing our hands, the girls and Liz stood in line for balloon shapes: a sword for Mia, two doves in a heart for Lily

While they stood in that line, Ryan and I went to grab some lunch. They had the wonderful Freckled and Blue food truck on site this year which we all enjoyed.  What a yummy treat!

Just before the hunt started, Mia caught sight of a special visitor.  She could hardly wait to meet him.

 Finally, it was time for the hunt!  The girls were in the same age group this year which was helpful.  It was pretty crowded so we actually moved over to the side and started up a little further.  The girls were off to the races! 

 Time to examine the loot.

 All sorts of goodies were inside those eggs...candy, tattoos and stickers galore!

Another great "Eggstravaganza" at FBCC!