Easter Dinner with the Crawford's

 We celebrated Easter a week early for a couple of reasons.  Kim only has her children every other weekend and this was her weekend.  It was a good thing we planned early because Trisha's cousin was killed in a plane crash and they will have to leave Ohio sooner than planned.  Tragic loss to a family with three children from ages 3-13.  Keep them in your prayers.

 So to have a little spring time fun in the middle of a snow storm (where'd that come from?)

 Kayla and I bought colorful plates and cups.  Then we wrapped napkins and banded them with butterfly paper.  (Wishful thinking...)

 Ham, cheesy potatoes and green bean casserole was on the menu, along with pickled beets, red velvet cake, pineapple upside down cake and dirty dessert.  Yummo, we ate well!

 Kenzie has fallen in love with the "Popcorn Poppin' on the Apricot Tree" song from primary.  Kyle, Kayla and I have been on demand for days now.  If you put your hands up to your eyes then she starts singing with you...super cute.

Trisha and Baby Kooper are doing well.  Kooper is a snuggle bug, which I absolutely love!  Nothing better than baby smells.  I got the honor of rocking this little guy to sleep and we got to retreat to the quiet solitude of the TV room; while everyone else talked in the kitchen.

 

We got to see Kim and her kids too, its been awhile so it was fun to have them around and catch up on their lives.

 Klayton is good at alluding my camera, so I snuck a quick one of him.  Kyle sure does love having his brothers around.  The older he gets the more he misses being around them.  He sure does look forward to moving back up there.  We have 1 year down of his 5 year plan of getting back to MN.  I actually look forward to going.

 Grandma Beninghof ventured out in the snow.  Grandma Crawford was not as adventurous and declined the invite due to weather.  It sure is fun watching great grandmas in action.  Kayla and Grandma are cooking up a plan to get Kayla married in about a year.  It is so funny to watch them plan.  Kayla keeps telling Grandma she is going to make her a Great-Great Grandma first.  I hope they both get that wish.  Grandma gets to laughing with Kayla and those are priceless memories.

 

Before I knew it, Kayla had a pack of kids following her around and they were playing games and singing songs.  You just can't get enough of "Popcorn" when you are two.

 I was surprised to see the older kids join in, especially Kolton because he is a bit anti-social at times.  I was proud of Kayla doing this on her own, she will make an excellent mother someday.  I hope her and Grandma can execute their plan.

I think this little lady enjoyed herself.  I enjoy the toddler chatter.  It's funny the things that make you happy.  I was so ready for the next stage in my kids' life, that I just didn't enjoy these moments as much when they were little.  I will miss them when they go home, they are making our house feel warm and full.

 

 

I just love this shot of Grandma.  This speaks volumes as to who she is.  She is a listener, she really wants to hear and understand how you feel about things.  She is really engaged into the discussion and makes you feel loved.  I hope I can be a Grandma like her someday.

Happy Easter a bit early.