Eastering Fun

It seems to be tradition to have Easter at our house.  In the years past we used to go out picnicking and hiking.  I think the last year we did that was like 1998, and we went to the San Juan River.  It was a very windy day, but we tried to build a fire so that Kay could cook our dutch oven potatoes.  As luck would have it we managed to catch a bush on fire.  Thank goodness for the nearby water from the river (and of course I was ready with my camera!  I got some great pictures).  Since that time we decided to "picnic" at our house and IF the weather is nice we can go out hiking afterwards.  This year we changed it up a little bit and had a potluck brunch complete with carrot cake pancakes and of course dutch oven potatoes.  After our brunch we had an egg hunt with the cousins.

Jolyn and Kyler

Kenzie and Jill

Kyler, Tylenn, and Miki

Most of the cousins

Miki

Jill

 I happened to look around and I noticed Sam and Miki were wandering around in the orchard.  They looked very intent on something.  When I asked Sam what they were talking about she told me she was just giving her sister some sisterly advice on finding eggs.  She told Miki she needed to walk, not run, to find most of the eggs.  Because you see when you're running you go too fast and you miss them all.

This picture was taken after Sams sisterly advice moment... and notice they are walking :)

Miki, JD and Max

Kids with all their loot

The weather was beautiful this weekend.  So, after the egg hunt we went hiking with Grandma (my mom).  We went out to a spot that Kay knew had petroglphs, but he'd never seen them and wanted to find them.  So away we went.

Jill and Grandma

Sam and Miki

Jill

Jill by some of the writings

Miki by some the writings

Sam studying it all

My mom by some writings

 The petroglyphs were really neat.  This one in particular was very interesting.

 On the way back to the truck.  Kay, Miki, and Sam all picked up walking sticks along the way.

Once we got back to the truck out came the guns.  Everyone but Miki shot, and I was the only one who hit the target.  I managed to get pictures of everyone but Kay shooting.

Sam

Jill and Kay

Don't mess with an armed Granny!

Don't worry, my other eye was open

After a great afternoon of hiking, we went back home, ate some leftovers, and colored Easter eggs.

Kay and Jill

Sam, Miki, Kay, and Jill

Easter morning finally came.  Miki was so excited for the Easter bunny to come.  Here the girls check out what he left.

I love this picture!  In the front my youngest daughter is full of excitement, and in the background my teenager would just like to go back to bed.

Spring!!

It's been a long winter, again. So, when I see these first signs of spring I always have high hopes that we'll be warm again.  It's a cruel joke mother nature plays.  She gets us wearing flip flops and enjoying the smells of spring, and then she hits us with it.  I can almost always guarantee a snow storm after the first of the blossoms appear, which in turn almost always guarantees no fruit on our fruit trees, again.  We probably won't be enjoying apricots this year, but at least I'll enjoy my pictures. 

Something I can't guarantee, and is most definitely welcomed, is surprise visits from family members we haven't seen in a few years.  This is Tommy with my mom, his grandma.  He's the son of my older, and only brother.  He looks just like him.  I could put up a picture for comparison, but I haven't seen my brother in awhile either. 

It's been about 7-8 years since we've seen Tommy, and he's all grown up.  He'll be graduating high school in May.  This picture is with my mom and a small, very small handful of her grand kids.