Easter Triduum Part 2

Following a quiet Friday afternoon reflecting on Our Lord's suffering and death for us. We had a simple dinner.  I really didn't want the silence to end, there is much to reflect on.  I must remember to return to this place of silence and contemplation more often!

The afternoon is always followed up by evening egg dying.  And not just with our kiddos...with Gabe's kids, Maria's babies, John's girlies, and Joey's Halle.  this year Carter was even able to join us.  All told, there were 21 kids and 11 adults.

It was cra.a.a.zy!

22 dozen eggs later, a team of three judges began deciding which eggs were the best.  With so many talented artists in the group it was a difficult decision.  Shannon ended up with first prize, thus winning his money back.

Shhhh, little chickie...Mommy said to be quiet!

Nickles was the die-hard egg man.  He stayed til the bitter end!

Katherine doing her best work ~

Joshie ~

Screwball Drewskie ~

Carter even joined in the mayhem ~

I'm not sure the twins knew what to think.

Gabby & Hannah working together ~

Best friends, Annika & Isabelle ~

Tristen ~

Kolby & Dom

Caleb workin' his tongue ~

The guys that were trying to avoid the chaos ~

The littles found a quiet corner to play ~

Putting wrappers on the eggs is hot work ~

Halle Jo wanted to decorate her own ~

Michaela and her godson, Kelton ~

The judges trying to make an unbiased decision ~

~ Good Night ~

Easter Triduum

I love our Passover celebration every year. This year was a bit hurried, but we still enjoyed an evening with friends and family, remembering why this is a celebration within the Church.  The combination of the old traditions and Bible readings with our family's new traditions (pork roast vs. lamb) make for a memorable evening.  Our children look forward to it as much as I did as a child.

The kiddos all helped prepare the meal, despite Spring calling to them to visit her all day. Actually, it was pretty difficult to keep them inside.  The snow is almost gone, their bikes, trikes and scooters need to be ridden and dinner was the last thing on their minds.  But they would help, then scoot outside for a while before being summoned back in!

Then Good Friday arrives.  Stepping into the church this year I almost felt separated from the world.  The silence, the stillness, that is often absent in my life was found there, even with Nickles jumping around like a little monkey.  And seeing our bishop who is suffering so greatly at this time, made recalling Christ's suffering and death that much more poignant.  I left with a stillness of heart that has been absent for many weeks.

To be continued........................

Making "unleavened bread"

Annika making the charoset

She diligently chopped apples, raisins and nuts 

Spring Cleaning

Every Lent, right before Easter, I get the itch to clean the house top to bottom.  Today was the day.  Between lessons the ladder was brought from the garage while I prepared to wash the windows.  When Shannon arrived home and saw the ladder lying on the floor he was less than excited.  Now I would think that he would be ecstatic that his house was being cared for.  Whenever the house is that deep cleaned his various animal mounts get polished as well, although, now that I'm thinkin' about it he may not want his mounts cleaned.  The extra inch of dust on the antlers adds the illusion of mass and that is a desired effect for hunters far and wide.
But I digress.
He must get frustrated because it's not just the windows that get cleaned.  And it's not just me that gets involved.  Soon he is toting home carpet cleaners and fans, picking up cans of paint, retouching the texture on the walls....and the list is never ending.  He always tells me that I jump off the bridge and he has to catch me.
No wonder he was exasperated when he saw the ladder.  He actually saw a week of full time work!

Keep smilin' Babe ~ 

Spring Fever

I told the boys they could go out for a 15 minute recess on one of the recent beautiful afternoons.  When I went to call them in, their footprints were all that could be found ~ they were long gone.

So school adjourned for the day!

Habemus Papem!

Habemus Papem!  We have a Pope!  I was surprised at my kids' excitement when they heard white smoke had been seen at the Vatican.  Michaela, Katherine and Eric had various appointments, so they were fighting over who would keep the cell phone as we waited in anticipation to find out who our Pope is.  A few of us were able to sit at a friend's cabinet shop and watch as Pope Francis I came out to be introduced and bless the crowds below.  Mr. Baker made it even more special when he discovered a package of birthday cake Oreos in a drawer.

So, today we celebrate with a pot of white clam chowder and red raspberries (to symbolize the pope's red shoes.)   

Eric the Mighty Hunter

Eric took Hunter's Safety this weekend.  He was so excited to complete his hunting "schoolwork" the week prior.  He'd book through any regular school just so he could sit down and read through the hunting manual in preparation for weekend classes.

Shannon would review his answered questions in the evening, then go over any that he didn't feel were answered quite correctly.  Thank heavens he reviewed them. One question contained a list of items from which Eric had to select three items that he would place in a survival kit.  He chose a pocketknife, water and SOAP.  What self respecting mountain man even knows what soap is and how does it aid survival?

Well, that wasn't the worst of it.  Eric returned home Saturday evening to inform us that a girl in his class that had broken both her forearms had whipped him handily in a laser shooting contest.  Shannon about tipped over.  His son, his firstborn son at that, had been beat by a girl in a most masculine contest, and not just any girl, but a girl with two broken arms!  Eric, however, was unfazed, he was having fun.

He received his certificate only missing one on his exam.  (his sister's received perfect scores on their exams so he was feeling slightly competitive)  This was a huge relief for his mother, as she knows his tendency is to only read half a question prior to answering it.  But what made us most proud is when one of his teachers came over to tell us she had never met such a kind boy in all her years with children.  She told us of him recognizing a few children within the class that were shy, of his reaching out to them.  And how when an older man kept dropping his hat, mitts or whatever, Eric immediately grabbed them before the older gentleman had to bend over. She simply spoke of his overall respect to everyone in the class.
That made me prouder than any perfect score or badge he may have received!

Waiting for Eric to finish his test ~

 

Eric can now join the ranks of hunters in the family this fall ~

He's already perfected the art of a tall tale, so he should fit right in!

Hello Little Blog

It seems like forever since anything has been recorded on this little blog.  So much has been happening, yet so little actually is accomplished lately!  While trying to figure out where the time goes I thought through an average day.  I arrived at the conclusion that one little person in this household has been consuming an inordinate amount of time...and his name is Nicholas!  From the 3000 times a day he changes clothes to the random messes he leaves hither and yon, it seems as though caring for him is a full time job.  Every trip to town always consists of a trip or two to a public restroom.  Since he hasn't mastered using the toilet in an adult male manner yet, coat, clothing and shoes go flying as he frantically disrobes down to his socks.  This takes no small amount of time, so a couple errands must be canceled, or rather postponed, thus piling more stuff on the never-ending to-do list.  I know that this too shall pass and I'll long for the days when he was 3 years old, but in the moment it seems as though he will never grow up.  Despite all the extra time he takes,  the laughs he provides to all of us more than make up for it! 

The pictures are random snaps, nothing coordinated, nothing fabulous, just everyday moments that are treasured. 

I am loving reading science with Katherine this year!

Painting could be a daily project ~

Michaela's chicken leg when she finally was able to remove the bandages.

For the record, SHE wanted me to take a picture.

More painting ~

One of my hands-down favorite traditions....

Valentine' Day dinner with all my sweethearts.

We do not have a house cat.

We do not have a house cat.

We do NOT have a house cat!

How should I pose for this picture?

Just like big brother!

Handwriting practice ~

Salad is so much tastier right out of the bowl!

Another glorious mess ~ Nickle's morning hair styling.

He has filled my hairspray three times now with water 

which is typically discovered when I am trying to make a mad dash from the house, only to realize I have just soaked my hair with water and NOT spritzed it into place. 

When we try to help him look a little less Alfalfa-ish

he will scream and "re-do" his style ~

Both shelves in Annika and Dom's room were previously occupied with Annika's treasures.  

Dom decided he needed one shelf which we agreed was a good idea. 

The girl shelf......

....And the boy shelf.

Looking for a good snow drift ~

The drifts are not nearly what they have been in prior years.

Sweet Annika appears incapable of a snowball fight ~

Looks are deceiving!

She has gained the high ground....look out below!

Snow caves ~