easter weekend

Easter weekend brought the most perfect weather possible with temperatures in the 70's and lots of sunshine. We spent Saturday at our good friends' house (the Mulkeys) for their annual egg hunt and potluck. They have a beautiful acreage in the hills above Silverton and the kids all had a great time hunting for eggs. Silas was able to participate this year and once he discovered that there were treats in the eggs he was after every last egg. And did you notice Ruby with the shopping cart? She had the right idea as she "shopped" her way through the egg hunt.

Sunday morning Ruby's biological big sister, Sammantha age 20, came early and brought big Easter baskets for all five kids. She also brought three big bags of absolutely darling clothes for Ruby. She has been such a blessing to our family and we are enjoying getting to know her. Then she helped me get the kids ready and we all loaded up in the Suburban for the 15 minute ride to church. There we worshiped the Lord and took in the wonderful message (all from the last seats in the sanctuary, the third row from the front!). It was a wonderful time of worship and reflection on Christ's sacrifice for us and even West seemed to understand that we were celebrating Jesus' resurrection. I loved hearing the girls sing so heartfelt and loudly the familiar hymns and songs during worship.

Afterwards we came home to a delicious brunch with Mimi and Chip, Lissa, Sammantha and the Mulkey family with their 5 kids (one foster). We had smoked salmon quiche, ham, turkey meatloaf, chicken salad, homemade bread by Lissa, fresh rolls and honey butter that Samm brought from her workplace the Roadhouse, and banana pudding and berry pie for dessert. The kids had another egg hunt and we all soaked in as much sunshine as we possibly could. Later in the day the girls and I took Silas on his first bike ride (in the seat on the back of my bike) around town. He loved it!