Easter 2014

What a glorious Easter the Smith family had in May, Texas at the Ranch.  The entire clan had arrived by Friday evening.  Luci as usual was the gracious hostess- she went down early to get things ready for everyone, even down to placing a snickers egg on their pillows in their bedrooms.  By Saturday morning, everyone was in their element- Brooke was cooking, the boys were hunting, and the kids were playing outside.  The babies even enjoyed playing on the porch. Kirk and I just enjoy being a part of it and seeing everyone.  I did get to go turkey hunting with the boys, but had to stay 100 yards back.  They did not shoot anything, but I sure had fun watching them.  It is very serious business this turkey hunting and fun.  Saturday afternoon the Easter activities began.  Each family had an activity- Abbey had dying Easter eggs.  Luci did the Easter egg hut in a pasture. Brooke did resurrection rolls and a cake activity about the resurrection.  I did a pinata and cascarones ( confetti eggs).  The kids had a great time.  Hudson broke a hard boiled egg on Carters head because he had broken the confetti one earlier in the day.  It made sense to him and quite humorous to all of us!  We had a wonderful family dinner Saturday night.  Sunday morning we all made it to prospective churches,  Many of us went to the Baptist church in May.  There is no Episcopal Church close for those of you wondering about this choice for me. I enjoyed it, but missed the rich liturgy of the Episcopal Church.  It was a little too "hell and brimstone" for some of my children, but everyone was a sweet as they could be to us.  We will probably try the Methodist church next.  So that about wrapped up the Easter Weekend of 2014.  Kirk and I did get to go to my sisters on Sunday night and have dinner and visit with my mom and dad.  Ellen and Gabe always cook so healthy and delicious and my niece and nephew are growing up so fast.  It is pretty cool to be up in Dallas now and see everyone. We usually spend Easter in Waco and really missed Kirk's mom this year.  We thought a lot about her and know she is resting at the hand of God and is in a much better place.  I would be remiss if I did not stop and thank Our Lord for His most precious gift to us in Jesus Christ  It all happens because of Him.  God is good all the time and all the time God is good!

Resurrection rolls with Aunt Brooke

Okay- maybe too young for confetti eggs, they mostly cracked them on themselves

Brooke and Hudson

Abbey and Wyatt

Live action shot of Luci bringing down the pinata..

Night time!

Happy Easter Morning Wyatt

Beautiful Grandaughters

Sibling Love

Beautiful Family

The great gift of Easter is hope - Christian hope which makes us have that confidence in God, in his ultimate triumph, and in his goodness and love, which nothing can shake.

Basil Hume

Count Your Blessings, Bella

Life on the Ranch

The last couple of weekends we have been going to the ranch.
The inside of the house is complete and beautiful  and now they are working on the outside porch.  Jeremy and Connor made a huge table with benches for the dining area.   The barn doors are now up.  It has been a true family affair. There are lots of project to do.  I am going to take on repainting an old rocker we found out  in the original house.  We are all finding our niche, but most importantly we have found we enjoy spending time together as a family.  You know that just makes me heart smile!  Here is life at the ranch in full living color.

The kids love their own four wheelers

That is a turkey track

Turkey hunting with the boys.  I had to watch from a deer blind and remain perfectly quiet.

Wyatt  17 Months

Riley 18 Months

Finley 5 years

Hudson 3 years

Gate swinging with Abbey, Wyatt, and Finley

Here we go!

Ready for a ride

Moving the cows from one pasture to the next ( not our cows but helping a neighbor)

One got away....we had to heard her back

Mommy and calf

Kirk enjoys working puzzles and everyone puts a piece or two in over the weekend.

Night!  Night!  Baths and Prayers.  Caleb, Travis, and Finley

“Sit tall in the saddle hold your 

head up high, keep your eyes fixed 

where the trail meets the sky and live 

like you ain't afraid to die, don't be scared 

just enjoy your ride” 

~Chris LeDoux song

Count Your Blessings, Bella

Momses and Papa visit the Ranch

I wanted to have my mom and dad experience the ranch.  We loaded up two of the grandkids, my mom and dad, and my two dogs on Friday afternoon.  Kirk and Connor took another car as we are still taking things out there.  We had a wonderful time. We slept late, cooked, hiked, and went on two ATV rides.  It was so enjoyable to spend a low key weekend with my parents.  They both loved it.  Momma even climbed up into a deer blind.  Carter (3) told Connor that he may have to carry him down the blind.  My mom told him the same thing.  She did manage to get herself down. It is really funny- my mom's grand kids call her Momses and my dad Papa- the great grandchildren call her grandma and my dad grandpa.

Papa, Pops and Riley

Momses and Connor

Beautiful Maggie and Buster enjoying the country air.

Pops and the ATV!

"Nobody can do for little children what grandparents do. Grandparents sort of sprinkle stardust over the lives of little children." – Alex Haley

Count Your Blessings, Bella

Hudson's Third Birthday

Well hello blog, it has been a while.  Since we last spoke I have gone to San Antonio for my sweet Hudson's birthday.  He is now 3!  Brooke and Travis gave him a wonderful party at the park.  The entire family on both sides came and some of his friends.  He had a great time and we enjoyed the weekend.

Here are some pics to capture the moments:

The birthday boy in the red!

Swing Hudson Swing!

Playing at the park with Aunt Tracie

Justin and Wyatt

Travis and Riley

Luci, Wyatt, and Riley

Brooke and Caleb

My grandson, you’re the coolest dude I know. You keep me young! Happy birthday!

Bella and Pops love their Hudson!       Count Your Blessings, Bella!