FAMILY TIMES IN APRIL

Earlier in April we enjoyed a Saturday morning with the grandkids over for playtime and lunch!  The weather was beautiful so we played outdoors.  Cailyn helped grandpa plant some flowers,

 
and Landon wanted to swing and ride in the wagon.  Both kids wanted to help water the flowers...

The sandbox was a big hit with both of them!  It was the first time that Landon was old enough to play in the sandbox with his sister at our house...They did really well, and Landon didn't throw too much sand! ;-)

Of course, once it was time to go in the house, Mimi decided it was easier to give them morning baths than to try and brush off the sand! ;-)  Before we knew it, it was time for an episode of Mickey Mouse Club on TV so lunch could be prepared!  Their Mommy and Daddy came to pick them up before naptime....after having the chance to run a few errands and eat a quiet lunch together for a change!

Last Sunday, April 14, we joined Vince's side of the family at Martin & Kim's house for a delicious brunch, complete with eggs, pancakes, sausage, macaroni salad, fruit and bagels!

 Art with Josh and Beth...Alissa and Alan had another commitment so missed out.

 Corissa, Mike and the kids enjoyed breakfast and were really excited to meet Nike, Troy's dog, and see the basement!  Something new!!

 Kim, Dianne and I had lots of things to talk about!

 Beth and Josh are a few weeks away from being first-time parents!

Jen and Nick joined Natalie and her boyfriend Brandon on the patio outside!

 Austin, Troy and Martin enjoyed their food in front of the TV.  Austin's fiance, Giana, was at work!  We missed seeing her.  Landon and Cailyn enjoyed playing with some toy cars that Troy shared with them!

It was great seeing everyone again and having the chance to catch up!

HAPPY EASTER

It was the Ruggiero Family's turn to host Easter this year, so thought we'd try something different.  With Alissa and Alan's help, we were able to reserve a nice ramada at Power Ranch where they live.  The weather was beautiful on Easter, with just enough breeze for a little kite flying...not too warm to melt the chocolate candy, and cool enough in the shade to relax and visit with everyone. (This was the theory anyway... "Relax" is the word that most of the parents of little ones did NOT experience, however!)

With Terry and Ken's help, we loaded up extra tables into the pick up trucks, along with ice chests, games, lawn chairs, blankets, food, and all the paraphenalia that goes with eating food at a picnic!  I borrowed orange safety cones from our Security Department at Skyline for the "unloading on a busy street" process as the parking lot was some distance away from the ramada.

Here MaryBeth and Brock are ready to eat!

Terry, Chris, Bode & Brock are keeping cool in the shade on one of Terry's pretty quilts!

Here Cailyn and Landon are enjoying some fresh fruit and chicken tenders, plus they enjoyed a few potato chips, M & M's and jelly beans later! They are sitting at a children's table that our children used at their grandparent's house 30+ years ago too!

  They received cute little wagons from their great grandparents so those became their easter egg containers during the traditional egg hunt.

The children's parents had their work cut out for them...trying to steer them away from the lake (until duck-feeding time later)...and chasing them at the playground, plus running to make the kites fly higher too!

Jen and Nick helped with the egg hunt and the kite-flying, and then left early to join Nick's family for their Easter celebration as well.

Everyone enjoyed the deli sandwiches, chicken tenders, potato salad, veggies, MaryBeth's deviled eggs, Corissa's fresh fruit bowl and the special desserts. Terry & Ken provided ice tea, lemonade and water for everyone. Alan's mother brought her "oatmeal candy" and "dirt pudding" dessert...YUM!  And my mother baked up these delicious and festive cupcakes for our holiday celebration.

Here are the O'Bryans: Joan, Alissa & Eugene

Vince, Alan and his brother John with his new adopted dog

Thanks to everyone for their help in making our Easter picnic a special celebration!