Easter Fun

Easter this year was so much fun!  The kids got a nice surprise from the Easter Bunny that morning!

 He even thought of me and Benj!

 It was nice to stay home Easter Sunday.  Church was great and the kids were excited to wear their new clothes from me and Benj.  (See the family pics above to see their outfits)  Since we stayed home, I had a chance to make a traditional Easter dinner complete with a honey-glazed ham, funeral potatoes, and homemade rolls!

The next week, we celebrated with my family.  For the last year, my parents did the money egg hunt for me and my siblings.  Thank you, mom and dad for the extra cash ; )  Then the kids got to go at it for their hunt!  Lydia certainly did pretty well for herself!

Gabby enjoyed herself!

The next day, Benj's fam had their Easter Egg Hunt.  

Gabby needed a little assistance from Uncle Joey

Lydia got some help from her Momma

She needed a rest after all that hunting!

The kids enjoyed their spoils while Benj's Mom gave the adults theirs!  They have eggs that have the letters EASTER on them.  For each letter, we get some awesome food item like a meat, drinks, etc.  There's a number with each letter that determines who gets to have first pick of the options.  We sure appreciate our parents' generosity!  We hope you had a wonderful Easter!



Pinning Ceremony

A few weeks after Benj returned home from OCS, it was all made official at his pinning ceremony.  These are all the candidates he went with to Ft. McClellan.  It's awesome that they all passed!

Gabby couldn't resist staying away from Daddy

He was sworn in by Major Cousins where they recite the oath.



Benj gave me the great honor of pinning him.  That meant a lot to me, considering Benj was the only one to ask his wife to do so!  I got to give it a little punch on there. (But not too hard; how embarrasing would it be to get knocked over by your pregnant wife ;)

Fortunately Benj's Dad was ranked high enough that Benj could give his first salute to him.  (The camera was a little late on the picture but a split second before this, they were saluting!)

Love love love Benj's parents!  They are so proud!

I suppose I'm proud too ; )

Maybe I can get Benj to post a few experiences he had at OCS but from my perspective, he worked so incredibly hard!  The dropout/fail rate is so high so it's a testament to Benj that he did so well!  I'm so blessed to have such an incredible provider/husband/father to my children.  Love him!

Family Pics

So, we try to make a tradition of taking family pictures every Easter Sunday.  It's kind of fun to see the contrast from last year!

Keep in mind these are the "cheese" faces; so lovely : ) Sweet William:

 I could not get Gabby to look at the camera and say "cheese"

My happy Lydia

So glad that Benj is home from OCS and love our cute family!