Saturday at the Zoo

Saturday morning we decided to go out for breakfast and then go to the zoo. The kids voted for Mimi's Cafe because they wanted chocolate chip pancakes.

The usual quiet, relaxing meal :)

The first thing we saw was this zoo docent with his bird, Molly.

I think this guy is so scary.

The chimps were very entertaining yesterday. This little one was cute on the swing. Some of his entertainment was more gross than cute, but the kids still thought it was hilarious.

By the swan pond

Go Hogs!

Looking at the giraffe's bedroom.

At the penguin exhibit

The penguins are always fun to watch!

Easter Sunday

"I AM THE RESURRECTION AND THE LIFE. WHOEVER BELIEVES IN ME, THOUGH HE DIE, YET SHALL HE LIVE. AND EVERYONE WHO LIVES AND BELIEVES IN ME SHALL NEVER DIE. DO YOU BELIEVE THIS?"

--JOHN 11:25-26

We had a powerful message from John 11:17-27 (focusing on the above verses) on Easter morning. Our recent sermon series called Making Us New has been so good. I love Easter and the celebration of HOPE and NEW LIFE in Christ!

***

We had a great day. Three excited kids were downstairs before 7:00 to look for their Easter baskets.

It's always a challenge to get everyone to cooperate. Rhett usually makes silly faces, Crosby tries to dance/make others laugh (see below) and Alexee--although she's by FAR the most cooperative--often has a hard time not talking for even a few seconds for the pictures! :)

Cheeeeeese!

Photo attempts at church--funny to me that R decided to try to hold C this way!

Church crafts

It was just us for lunch.

We had:

honeybaked ham

Grandmother's dressing

green bean bundles

fingerling potatoes

cranberry fluff

rolls (for the kids, but R ate dressing too)

dessert: strawberry delight, one of my favorites

After a big lunch, they were ready to start the hunt!

Lane helped Crosby along.

We had to gently remind Rhett and Alexee to slow down a few times so that Crosby would have a chance to pick up some eggs.

Crosby was proud of all the eggs that he found.

I HOPE YOU ALL HAD A HAPPY EASTER!

HE IS RISEN!

More Parties: Bears & Lollipops

Alexee loves a good party, and on Saturday she was invited to two fun events! First up, Lindy's 4th birthday party at Build-A-Bear. Happy Birthday, Lindy!

She had never been to a Build-A-Bear party before, so she was excited about choosing the pieces for her very own bear. She chose a white bear with a giggle sound and a pink ballerina outfit. She named it Fluffy.

Adding the fluff to Fluffy and giving her a bath

We came home for lunch, and A & C took naps. Then it was time for party #2--celebrating Maylee's 5th birthday! Her candy-themed party was in her backyard, and it was such a beautiful day for it. The kids played on the new play fort, blew bubbles and ate yummy petits fours.

Ali had everything decorated SO fun with the colorful lanterns, balloons, candy centerpieces and giant lollipops in all the potted plants.

I told Ali she should sell these arrangements!

Cute kids

For party favors, Maylee gave each friend one of the giant lollipops from the centerpieces. Alexee had such a difficult time deciding which one she wanted--she liked pink, purple and rainbow. Decisions, decisions. She finally went with rainbow.

Group picture :)

I think Alexee had a really fun day, and we hope that the birthday girls did, too! We love our friends!