Easter Day with the Family
Out to my parent’s farm for Easter. It was a truly wonderful day. Relaxed, happy, and a lot of fun. We had a wonderful meal, great conversation (including some fabulous stories from the newest person at the table), and a windy, warm Kansas day to play in.
Upon arrival, Zora wanted to show off the box she made to Great-Grandma, who was, naturally, enthused that her great grand-daughter had a love of arts inherited from her.
After a wonderful dinner the kids were on a mission to find the Easter eggs hidden around the room.
The eggs at Oma’s had booty in them: candy and coins.
And the most fun of all, watching new love bloom. It is so wonderful to see my brother so happy. They are so wonderful together, comfortable together on a level that many people who have been together for years don’t get to. Reminds me of when Zach & I were dating. Happy times.
Steve spent considerable time pushing Zora around on the tricycle, much to her utter delight.
When we pulled the bicycle out we realized, much to our chagrin, that the tires were flat. This is a “BIG PROBLEM” for Zach and I, who are not particularly good at stuff like that, but Steve and Nora took care of it for us. (THANK YOU!) They probably don’t even realize that it meant so much to us, but it did.
This picture would make me a bundle of nerves if I hadn’t seen it in person. My dad is going really slowly and being very careful, which made this “hover mom” feel less anxious than I normally would have been about 2 kids, a 4-wheeler and no helmets. lol. If I remember correctly, Zora also talked dad into a ride in the tractor, but I was busy talking to mom and grandma when that happened.
They charged up the Hummer Remote Control vehicle, which was formally a point of contention when it was given to a toddler Zane (and was powerful enough to run over the Christmas tree when we tested it out after he got it). It immediately was sent out to the farm because Zane was using it as a step stool to reach things and was too powerful (and complicated) for him to use at that time. (plus, who would think a Hummer was the appropriate thing to give the toddler of two hippy type people?) Now it is a lot of fun to use, but I still have to laugh at the fact it takes many more hours to charge the batteries than it does to run (seems appropriate for a Hummer, doesn’t it). At any rate, we had a ball with the Hummer, especailly when teasing the dogs with it. (The dogs LOVED it…it was so much fun for all of us watching them chase it around the farm.)
And now the kids are both able to control it well, so they have a lot of fun with it too.
After the food had settled a bit, it was time to make dessert…homemade ice cream. Steve has a great, easy recipe for it and always invites the kids to help make it. Zane isn’t as interested in the process, but Zora sure is. She will brag for days later that she helped make the ice cream.
Our favorite boy, with the hair that drives moms and grandmas crazy, was loving the feeling of the wind in his hair.
And then we attempted a group photo. Apparently, it is asking too much for both kids to smile at the same time and pose appropriately. Oh well, it is the real deal, which is better any way.
I can’t for the life of me remember the dog’s name, but she was beautiful and very good with the kids. She also made me want to fall asleep just watching her stretch out in the sunshine. Nora is a vet and the dog was abandoned by the owner after an injury. Honestly, it was probably the best thing that could have happened because she has a great life now, including a loving owner and a new friend in Shelby (Steve’s dog).
Steve showed Nora this diabolical game from our Grandpa S. (paternal grandfather) Nora worked on it for a while, making good progress on it, then Steve showed her the solution. She fits great in this family…brilliant and nerdy enough to enjoy puzzles like the rest of us.
A fantastically relaxing and fun day for all. We really enjoyed the day with the family, in more ways than we can say.
The vitality of our Savior risen permeated the jubilance of the day. It was a fitting celebration, filled with love and peace. I look forward to more.
