Monday, April 30, 2018

Easter 2018

The day after Evie's 10th birthday was Easter. Following church we went to the ranch for lunch, an Easter egg hunt, baby calf viewing, and fun and games.



Shameless selfie.



Hey, well, I actually tried looking nice that day and felt pretty, both of which don't happen often. And since it's my blog and I'm always behind the camera, perhaps my kids will enjoy seeing me as a younger version of myself when I'm old and gray. However, the gray is starting already...



Anyway, we ate right away when we got there and then the littles dug into their chocolate bunnies that Terry's folks had given them. They ate surprisingly fast.



We continued to celebrate Evie's birthday with a present from her grandparents. 






Next everyone went outside to take some family photos like we always do. Evie was my model while I got the camera and tripod ready. She looks fantastic with those snow boots. 😂



Slow motion dorks performing for the camera timer. 



I took so many photos. Here is the best of all of us. Too bad Shari, Jesse, and the girls weren't there. We need a new complete family picture.



The second best picture of us. 



Jerry and Alice.



Terry and I. 



Lastly, Terry and I took two rounds with the timer and both times, after a few initial shots, Terry broke out and did something funny and unexpected. He moved crazy fast so I didn't know what was happening and before I knew it, he had swept me off my feet! I was shocked. It was hilarious. I love his expression here.



Here's the progression the camera caught. I love it.



The second time he swooped in for a kiss. 



Ha ha, so cute.



Meanwhile Jerry was checking the cows for any new calves.



Number five and I had a stare off.



I thought she looked like she was smirking at me. With her mouth full... 😂



We were trying to get a good look at the newest little addition, that white faced calf.



They are SO cute when they're little! 



Then Terry and I ran around hiding eggs before calling the kids back outside to let them loose. 



Samuel taking off for one that he spotted. 



Anyone spy what Ezra doesn't? 



He finally found it when he told him he was getting hot. 



We always label the kids' eggs so they can only pick up their own. We go pretty easy on the littles.



The adults were entertained until Noah and Evie started having a hard time finding their last eggs. Pictured is Janet, Jerry, Harry, and Alice. Janet helped in the kitchen at our wedding! 



Striding up the hill on a hot tip... 



Found it! 



"Eeeeee" with a nearly full basket.



He had a few more to find. 



Even the littles needed some help searching too though. Unsurprisingly, we always forget where we put some of the eggs. 



Searching, searching, searching, and perhaps getting a little frustrated. 



I like how the wind is flaring her dress out. She was so excited to wear her new dress that we specifically shopped for at Once Upon a Child weeks earlier.



Found another one. 



We helped them both big time over on this patio because they were just blind. So cute. 



Noah, and the rest of us, finally found his last egg. 



There had been an egg placed high right up there with the birdhouse and it was found surprisingly fast. 



Video footage of the hunt.



Once all the eggs were discovered we went in the barn to see the mommy with her new calf that had been bought after hers was stillborn. After a few days, they were finally getting along well and figuring it all out.



Jerry had music playing in the shed because he thinks it calms them. 😁 



Next Jerry drove me in his new side-by-side on a small tour of the field where all the older calves and their mamas are located. This particular calf is sort of "special." He likes to lay with his head back like that, isolated all by himself. The week before when we saw him like that we thought he was dead! He's just a different calf. 



He perked up as we went by. Still super cute. I love their eyelashes.



One section seemed to be a nursery. So adorable! 



The girls and their babies. 



Video footage of the nursery.



Next we all finally went back inside, much to the children's relief, where we went over our resurrection eggs. Harry and Janet had wanted to see that. 



Oh, and then we had cake and sang to Evie.  



Next we let the kids play some Mariokart while the adults played Rook. 



Terry and I often take pictures of our cards to show each other after the hand is over. He always gets the best cards and always wins.



I lost spectacularly because I'm not very good. 



I made a pecan pie for dessert since we always crave that when we're there and then, to go with our dinner leftovers, Terry made jalapeño poppers. Yum. What a fun day!