Easter

Sorry I am a little late in posting something for Easter, but our family did have an Easter celebration! Everyone came to my house for lunch, but thankfully everyone helped cook the food, so I didn't have to do too much of it myself! It was a rather rainy day, so we didn't hide any eggs, but we had a good time together. Here are a few pictures.

Lisa and cousin Hannah

Lisa wanted a picture of her twirling in her new dress.

Samuel, Hannah, and Jacob

Jacob and Samuel had fun playing chess.

Old Friends Are The Best!

Fran, Ann, and Sue

This past weekend, I was blessed by a wonderful visit with two very dear friends. Fran Buck arrived Friday evening and spent the night, and Sue McGowen came over early Saturday morning. Fran lives near Harrison, but Sue is now living in Tacoma, Washington. Many years ago when they were both living in Fayetteville, we spent many hours together, doing various crafts and enjoying time with our children together. Fran is the one who taught us to make baskets. I still have a few of these baskets, but I doubt that I could remember how to make one. We visited a few hours at my house Saturday morning, then went downtown to the Farmer's Market, where we met up with Sue's son, David Embree and his wife, Lauren. After an hour or so downtown, we headed out to visit the farm property that Sue owns in Greenland. What began as a rather cold morning turned into a beautiful sunny day, and we had a very special time together!

At the Farmer's Market

Sue with David

Sue with her "Granddog"

Sue and Fran

A very large fish in Sue's pond

Cousins: Jesse and Ben

This afternoon we had a lot of fun doing a photo shoot with Jesse and Ben in their matching outfits. Both of the boys were pretty cooperative, especially considering what we were doing with them. Have fun looking at some of my best shots.

Before the Photo Shoot:

This begins the photo shoot pictures:

This was only a very small portion of the pictures that were taken, with Katie and I both snapping shots.

Hanging Out With Aunt Lisa

Ben is wearing his "I like Hanging With My Aunt" shirt.

Lisa and Steve with Benjamin

Benjamin

Ben's First Trip to Arkansas

At both Thanksgiving and Christmas I took pictures of Katie and Allison standing in this doorway showing off their pregnant bellies. When they were first together on Saturday, I knew we had to get another picture of them holding the boys in the doorway.

Uncle James meets Benjamin.

James with Jesse

Grandmama Ann cuddling with Ben

Aunt Lisa wants a turn

Grandmother Shirley meets Ben

Aunt Carol with her great-nephew, Ben

Grandmother Dorothy holding Ben

Hannah had fun helping to entertain Jesse.

St. Patrick's Day Shirts

I had to make sure that both of my grandsons had something green to wear on my birthday, so I bought them matching shirts. Of course, I was only able to see Benjamin wearing his via an online photograph. When they are together next week, I hope we will get some good pictures of them together.

Jesse (9 weeks)

Benjamin (4 weeks)

On Turning 55

Last week on March 17, I turned 55 years old. My family made my day very special with everything they did for me. David showed up at school with a vase of roses, James and Allison came over and cooked dinner for us, and Lisa and Steve joined us for dinner. After dinner, the rest of the family showed up with birthday cake. It was a fun-filled evening with family, and I enjoyed every minute of it. Thank-you to all of you who made my day so special!

I have already received more than I could wish for this year, and it is only March! I have been blessed with two grandsons who are beautiful and healthy and the news that Matthew and Elizabeth will be moving back to Fayetteville in August of 2012. I can't think of any better gifts than these!

Here are some pictures of our evening:

Allison, Lisa, and James preparing dinner

Jesse