Plan B - Easter 2015

So, now that we were in Memphis for Easter, it was time to come up with plan B. It wasn't too hard to do and it was still a great weekend, but it still wasn't the same without being with family like we had planned.

On Saturday morning and again on Sunday afternoon, Russ got after it in the yard on the drainage project since he had the unexpected time to do so...he leveled out all the dirt in the yard where the pipe was laid, built the form around both the basin and the pipe to the street, concreted around the basin and installed the sump pump. Connor and Kelly came down to play and hunt Easter eggs while Daddy worked.

Tyler got 95% of the eggs. Caroline and Connor were perfectly content
to open them up to eat the jellybeans inside as they found them. 

Uncle Joe and Aunt Kat were in town visiting friends and we were originally going to miss seeing them since we were going to be out of town. But since we were on Plan B, we met them and their friends for a yummy lunch at Central BBQ.

We have introduced a new behavior system for Tyler where we award stars for good behavior (using good manners, sharing, good listening, etc.) and take them away for the not-so-good behavior. When he gets to 8 stars, he gets to pick a reward. He reached 8 stars for the first time Friday night (he got a star for his awesome behavior during the turkey drama), so went out for ice cream as a family (his pick) to celebrate on our way home from Central. Tyler was so proud and is already talking about how he can earn ice cream again. Success!

Sunday morning, the kids were so excited to see that "the Bunny", as Tyler calls him, had visited. They got a ton of fun things and candy in their baskets, but I think the Bunny Pez was the biggest hit with them both! They also both got personalized aprons to help me in the kitchen, new personalized bunny spring PJs, placemats, sunglasses and a new movie each. That Bunny sure was good to them! Daddy also got a basket of his favorite candy.

Tyler got a hooded cape towel, Old Maid and Go Fish games and other fun toys.

Caroline was treated to Minnie dress-up dolls, princess dive toys for the pool and new necklaces. 

Daddy playing dress-up with everyone's gifts. :)

Lip balm is always a winner.

Caught with her mouth full of Pez!

We have been visiting new churches since the first of the year. We wanted a change from Hope, as it has been going through some changes and in leadership over the past few years and it's just not meeting all of our needs any longer. We have been loving Christ United Methodist and were excited to be able to attend their Easter service this year. I really think this is our new church home...it is in the heart of East Memphis, has a great childrens' program, several contemporary worship options (this was Russ' big hang up with some of the other places we have visited), a deep bench of different pastors who's preaching we really enjoy, and TONS of young families. Actually, it is a very well-rounded church with young and old members alike, and I really like that. Every time we go, we see someone else that we know. It is really starting to feel like home.

Of course, we took a few pics after church in our Easter best...we didn't get any pics together as a family this year because we had no one to take them! Oh well.

This picture makes me giggle.

This kid! He is becoming so grown-up, I can't stand it!!

Our sweet next-door neighbors, the Browns, heard about our turkey drama and invited us over to their house for Easter lunch. It was with their entire family (which we didn't know at first), but they are all just so sweet and genuine and really made us feel welcomed. Plus, Tyler and Caroline both are just smitten with Griffin...he is such a sweet kid and soooo good to our kids. I think Griffin likes all the attention, too, being an only child himself. I wish I had snapped some pics, but we were trying our best to keep our kids from destroying their house! :)

He is RISEN! Happy Easter to all!