Christ is Risen! Indeed He has Risen!

Well, we made it through Easter! I only say, "we made it", because we all were wondering if the baby would decided to come early. He hasn't, so far. But, you never know! The kids had Good Friday off from school, so that is when we began our Easter preparation. And, between Good Friday and Holy Saturday, we did everything: we made all the special foods, fasted, all the kids got haircuts and baths, and we went to church. It was tough for me, going to church on Good Friday (evening), but, I am glad I went. It seems like if we didn't do all the prep. and services leading up to Easter, it would be all too easy to let Good Friday become just another day. The children are old enough, now, that they ask questions, like, "Why do we have to fast?" "Why can't we play games?" "Why can't we watch TV between noon and 3pm?" "Why do we light a holy candle between 12 and 3?" "Why do we have to go to church at night?"

Easter morning, we woke up to find the Easter Bunny did, indeed, visit us! (This year, it is Thomas who can't resist getting into his basket at all times...) We then went to church for Resurrection Matins, Liturgy, and Basket Blessing. Afterwards, we were invited to go to several households, but, we opted to go home, because I needed to get off my feet. It was a little strange, to "just go home", but, it was also nice. Here are some photos from church:

Here we all are with our basket, before church: Processing around the church:
Basket Blessing. Note Peter's grin. The priest always blesses the kids, too. Margie, George, and Fred are all in his direct line of fire.
Our basket is on the right. My brother, George, and his fiancee, Laura's, is on the left. They impressed everyone by making their own. Laura even made her own pysanki (eggs) and they were really pretty and looked like she had been doing them for years (it was her first time, ever).

St. Peter's Basilica

I have been meaning to post this for a month... Peter received this 3D puzzle for Christmas, and he and I put it together, together.

Snow Day At Last

Well, they finally got their Snow Day! It is nowhere near what our cousins got last week, in Pennsylvania. The children have already shoveled. It was all Margie's idea, much to Peter's chagrin. He cracked me up, because he didn't want to shovel, but, he immediately took total charge, out there. (Barking orders at everyone else, like oldest children do. ha ha ) Thomas was extremely jealous, to say the least. Now, Peter's in, and the middle three are playing in the back yard. They've already had a change of mittens.

Number 6

George celebrated his 6th birthday a couple weeks ago. He had a blast! His Godfather brought pizza over for dinner. Others came to visit/celebrate, as well. People gave him gifts he absolutely loved. Plus he received some special gifts in the mail. (Packages are always fun to get!) He requested an American Flag cake, complete with the pole and ball, on top of the pole.

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Brrrrr It is Cold

This is how I found Fred, when he was supposed to be getting his clean clothes on and coming to eat breakfast. He managed to come downstairs, but, that is as far as he got. And this is how I found George playing Legos.

Carp Party Pictures

Pictures from the Carpatho Rusyn Pot Luck Dinner (AKA "The Carp. Party"), which was at the beginning of January:

Partners in crime: Dorothy, Fred, Thomas



(Dorothy), George, Margie, Peter


























Dorothy, Gabriel, Luke, Andrew, Isaiah



Margie and Grandpa

























Michael and Jim














Thomas


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Christmas Photos

Christmas was wonderful. I got a lot of good photos, and am limiting what I am posting to 2. (Though, I am tempted to upload a bunch of the cousin photos, because they are really cute, too.) Here are Our Five at church, Christmas morning (George forgot his glasses, in all the excitement):












This is Thomas, caught in the act. I don't know how many times we had to say, "Don't touch the tree!" And, it wasn't only directed at Thomas, either.