Easter 2014

Our Easter was awesome! It was definitely a little different because we stayed in Memphis and didn't get to see family that we normally spend time with AND there's the whole kitchen remodel thing that we are living through, but we certainly made the best of it and it was a very special weekend.

Saturday started with an early run for me...yes, I am finally getting back into running after having the kiddos. I mean, how long can you keep a 13.1 sticker on your car if you aren't actually running anymore?? Ha! I have a friend close by and we are meeting 3 days a week and doing a run/walk program that will have us running 30 continuous minutes at the end. We are slow and are walking a lot, but being able to talk with a friend really makes the time fly by. I am finding myself really looking forward to our runs for that reason alone.

Because we stayed in town, we were able to go to my church Mom's Group Easter Egg Hunt this year. It was in Collierville and we headed that way a little early so we finally meet the Iglesias' new addition, baby AJ. I am embarrassed to say that he is already 2 months old, but he is a cutey and has the proudest big sisters there ever was! Tyler and Caroline enjoyed playing with Chloe and Maddison while we visited with their parents. We always have the best time with this family and need to make time to get together more often.

Maddison snuggling with AJ

After our baby fix, we walked 3 houses over to Meredith's house where my Mom's Group gathering was held. She and Stephanie (another mom in my group) really outdid themselves!! Everyone brought eggs to hide and a picnic lunch for their own families, but they also had a popcorn machine, a carousel bounce house a Bunny pinata and tons of homemade Easter desserts for everyone to enjoy. Plus, it was a gorgeous spring day perfect for soaking up the sunshine! We snapped a few pics of all the kids (gosh, how we have all multiplied in 3 years!) and then let the kids loose on the backyard. I forgot to change my camera setting from inside to out, so all the egg hunting pics I took were overexposed. Oh well. We enjoyed a picnic lunch and some play time afterwards before heading home for late naps. Caroline was asleep in the car in 2 minutes flat, I think!

18 kids belonging to 10 families! And we were even missing several folks!
(There were actually 19 kids there....one of our new additions is not pictured.)

The kids are READY to find some eggs!

Big sis Parke loving on baby brother Gentry.

Caroline and Gentry playing

Caroline happily sitting under the Bunny pinata.

Everybody took several swings, but Tyler knocked it open (with a little help...)

Grabbing loot from the busted pinata!

Enjoying our picnic lunch in the shade.

Tyler enjoyed a cupcake Ms. Meredith made.

Jeffrey had the right idea drinking a Bloody Mary!!

After naps, we enjoyed more playtime and time outside. Russ was able to snap a few cute pics of Granna and the kids playing with their play food that I just love! Tyler is always saying "Pretend, Caroline" when she tries to eat the food...Ha!

Russ headed downtown to meet up with his brother, Joe, who came in town for his bachelor party this weekend. This was the main reason why we decided to stay in town this year. They had dinner at the Majestic and then proceeded to go to Blind Bear, Silky's and eventually Raffords. I woke up at 1:30a and Russ still wasn't home. I texted and called him in a sleep-induced panic all worried that something was wrong. Of course, all was well and he was home by 2:30a-ish.

Joe (on the left) with some buddies who came in from out of town.

I cracked up at the picture...that is Joe and a friend dancing?? at Raffords! Ha!
I think this needs to show up in their wedding slideshow...

Easter Sunday came early, especially for Russ! The Easter Bunny came and Tyler was super excited to see all the goodies and candy that he brought. Tyler especially loved his new green crocs and Frozen movie (that was actually in Caroline's basket). Caroline also got pink crocs and she loves the Woody and Buzz toys that were brought for Tyler. (Tyler is a little scared of them since they talk...the Bunny didn't think about that.) Granna also did baskets for the kids...it was like Christmas and toy overload!! Tyler wanted to watch Frozen right away and that was perfect since we needed to get ready for church.

The Loot from Granna and the Easter Bunny...spoiled kids!

Caroline got candy, crocs, a bouncy pony, books, Frozen movie, bowls/plates/silverware,
a princess flashlight, a crazy dancing chicken, a plush bunny and a light up tub toy.

Tyler got candy, crocs, Buzz and Woody, books, movies, 
bowls/plates/silverware, a Cars flashlight and games.

The Bunny brought Mom and Dad a small basket of goodies, too.

Putting on our ears to go see what the Bunny brought!

Caroline is ready, too!!

"Look at all the stuff!"

This little girl is always a hot mess! 

Modeling her new rubber necklace and bracelet.
Tyler also likes these... :)

Checking out the dancing chicken...

Love these 2 little people!!

Watching Frozen with Daddy!

We braved the 10a service at Hope, which is always the largest and there were 5,423 people including kids in childcare at that service alone. I have never seen it so full...it was PACKED and people were standing! Luckily we got there early and had no issues finding a seat or surprisingly getting in and out of the parking lot either.

After church, we took some pictures outside in our Sunday best and did a couple more egg hunts. Tyler is a maniac and loves to hunt eggs. Granna filled several eggs with money with was super fun. After the first hunt was over, Tyler starting throwing them out again and wanted to hunt over and over. We let him and all just sat outside watching and enjoying the beautiful day. For our Easter lunch, we had ham (my favorite!!) that Granna cooked and brought with her and I picked up several sides from HoneyBaked Ham that we just microwaved. It worked out perfectly and was super easy and cheap, surprisingly!

We all rested while the kids napped and Granna headed home (boo hoo).  Uncle Brian came over later on (he was out of town visiting friends) and helped with the kids so we could so some spring planting. We got everything I bought in the ground and Russ did a lot of flower bed clean up, too. What a wonderful day full of fun and even a little productivity! Happy Easter to all!!