Family and Friends

We had such a glorious Easter day here in Lynden...70 degrees, sunny...nothing at all like we're used to, especially in March. We haven't hosted Easter in a few years so I was really looking forward to having people over! Everyone brings something(s) and aside from getting things set up the day before, all I have to do is cook the hams and have a few sides ready. It's really quite easy and so much fun!

But the best part is just seeing everyone and spending time together! We had 17 people for dinner, of which I took not a single picture. I get so wrapped up in things that I just forget. I did manage to capture the rest of the day though!

The Table Lingerer's!

The Boater's, who finally discovered the steering mechanism!

Badminton got a little intense!

  and goofy! (you knew I'd post it, Braden!)

Some Corn Hole...

  Frisbee...

The Fans...

Manicures by McKenna!

Love these girls!

 Lot's of  visiting!

 My baby, who just turned 24...ahhhh!

 Add a few pets to the mix! (Benny went snowboarding the day before...goggle lines!)

Me and Ash...

Such a perfect day to celebrate the Risen King of Creation! We are so blessed!
Thanks  to everyone for sharing, cleaning, playing, staying and making the day so memorable!

Easter and Birthdays!

A little gallery of Easter fun!!!!

I still do Easter baskets, but not every year. Last year I was very lazy and left them in the garage! Had to do something this year!!!

Ashleigh came home for the day and went to our old church. Brian,Tyler and I went to CTK. Lovely service! What a joy to celebrate the risen Lord!!

We went to the Burkes for dinner. Lynda always sets such a pretty table! We were joined by her brother and family and her SIL's sister. Lot's of fun! I don't know what he's so happy about...we were not getting along at home!! He is so cute though and my how tall he's gotten!!! Love that little lamb!

Lynda bought a 22 lb ham.....BIG!!! I cooked it at my house and brought it over. I hope my hair isn't touching it!!

After dinner we played a few games. 14 random questions that we had to answer about ourselves and then others had to read and guess who it was. Found out a few things about some people that I never would have guessed!!!

After that we played an Ashleigh/college game. One person writes a sentence, passes it on and that person has to draw a picture representing the sentence. The first sentence is folded over, passed on and the next person has to write a sentence based on the picture! It's pretty fun to hear how different the two sentences can be!!

We also celebrated Brian's birthday. Happy 48th sweetie!!!!

Tyler and Keaton played a little one on one and later all the guys played basketball, baseball, Frisbee and did a little long boarding.

The girls cleaned up, sat on the couch and watched Martha Stewart bloopers. Hilarious! Maybe you had to be there!!!

In honor of B's birthday, Amsa did a little make-over on Brian...his hair anyway! Now before you go thinking what a sport he is, which he is, but... He loves having his hair combed, head rubbed, etc. so he was actually quite enjoying this. I did leave out the picture with the barrettes though!!!!

We had such a great time with these dear friends!!

Hope you all had a wonderful Easter also!!

Easter

Ashleigh and Madi reading Madi's "teen" magazines.

Amsa surprising Tyler!

Roger playing the drums to Tyler's fav. music. Tyler plays too, but wanted to hear how the professional does it!!

Keaton:" Yes, of course you can take my picture!"

Tyler: "Don't even think about it!"

Roger and Tyler, some serious topics!

The Spread!!

Phone conversation:

Holly: If I bring the ham, can we have Easter at your house?

Lynda: Um, let me think about that!! I'll get back to you.

Lynda: No!!

Holly: No problem!

Lynda: Okay , yes, we'd love to have you over!!!!

So went the phone conversations between Lynda and I! I always host Easter at my house, usually about 20 people, but didn't feel up to it this year, hence the blatant request for an invitation to Lynda and Roger's! Lynda is the Director of Children's Ministries at Sonlight and Easter weekend is pretty busy for her so I understood her "No" completely!!! After all, I had just invited myself and 3 others!!!! Honesty is a wonderful part of our friendship, so this was no problem!!!

The next day she called back and said we were on, but we both agreed that it was okay if everything fell through at the last minute! And we would only get together for a few hours. We need guidelines after all!!!

Brian, Tyler and I went to church on Sat. night. They were expecting 6000 people for the 5 services and Pastor Grant asked the regulars to come on Sat. night. It was kind of nice!!! It was pouring rain on Sun., we were home and cozy. No Easter egg hunts at my house anymore, so it was very relaxing...for me and Tyler!!! Brian went to the church for a few hours and helped with parking and Ashleigh went to her regular service.

We went to the Burkes at 2:30 and had a great, yummy, wonderful dinner! We always have such a good time with the Burkes. Great friends, great hosts, great conversation!!

Amsa kept us all entertained! She is so joyful and adorable! I got the pleasure of painting her nails, pink, like mine! Tyler had Roger playing the drums for him, to his music! Ashleigh and Madi looked at teen magazines, fun to go back and do that once in awhile! We watched Roger's amazing video that he made about Amsa's adoption from Ethiopia. Keaton and Ty played some X-box and then Keaton fell asleep on the floor with 8 peoples talking all around him! (Sorry Keaton, I couldn't resist!!!)

We had a great time and while we said we'd only stay for 2 hours, we stayed for 3!!! Typical!

Thank you , Burke Family, for a special and memorable Easter!!!