Hop 'Til You Drop

2 Years, 50 Weeks.


It's official:  The Spring calendar is officially booked solid!

With all of our friends and supporting cast having planned events, kids' birthday parties, church retreats, baby showers, baby dedications, and get togethers, there is not a single weekend free until the end of May!

It seems like this is the busiest season of the year, and this past Easter weekend celebration was no exception.

For as we are eternally grateful in remembering our Savior's redeeming sacrifice, we are also thankful for close friends and loved ones who we surround ourselves with week in and week out.

They are truly a blessing!

Here we go:

• Sabbath we opted out of going to church because we were still at the tail end of our sick week.  Not that we were contagious or anything, but we were still battling a few coughs and runny noses.  But the beautiful weather begged us to stay outside, so we traipsed across the street to another church that was holding their Easter celebration for the community.  There were some fun things for the kids to do, including a petting zoo and egg hunt, and they even had a little sermonette on Easter, so we did get our blessing for the day.  Afterwards we had lunch at this seafood distribution center that was recommended to us by Braelyn's doctor earlier last week; they have a little kitchen and eating area that you can order different types of fish not locally found in our waters.  Orange roughy from New Zealand?  Why, yes! I got a plate of sushi for $5 that was absolutely to die for, and was so fresh it could rival some $10 or even $15 rolls at any high end sushi establishment! Afterwards we headed back home to attend our neighbors Nick and Ivonne Mahavir's baby shower, held at his brother and sister in law's home, our other neighbors Cy and Devi Mahavir.  It was so nice to just catch up and chat with each other, as we have seen our families grow over the past 4 years that we've known them.  The children were all pretty much zonked out by the time we got home, which was good, as Tangie set to preparing a couple of food dishes (bunny cinnamon rolls and angelic eggs ~ as opposed to deviled eggs, it being Easter and all)  and I set to work getting the Easter eggs put together for 2 events we would be participating in the following day.

The boys...

and the girls riding the train trolley.

Excited for a fun filled day.

Maddy going down one of the numerous inflatable slides.

Braelyn takes a turn at the big kid drop slide!

She was confident she wanted a pet guinea pig after this.

Twins turn at the egg hunt for ages zero to 2.

Enjoying one of the many treats available.

Braelyn shows off her haul during her age group egg hunt.

Enjoying lunch outside at Bar Harbor Seafood.

And then we got to see what we ate.  j/k
Here the kids in awe of the 1000 gallon aquarium at our neighbors the Mahavirs.

Braelyn and Kohl pretending to sleep outside,

While Maddy sits content, watching our other neighbor Alexa Ottati.  

Do we look at all tired?

The celebrants, Nick and Ivonne Mahavir, expecting their 3rd daughter in a few weeks.

Tangie getting set making hard boiled eggs.

What they look like after adding some color.

Braelyn adds the finishing touches and garnish!

• Easter Sunday bright and early we loaded up and headed East of town for our annual Easter brunch at Duncan's parents' house in Casselberry.  We were joined by Jennifer and her boys as well.  The food was scrumptious, as usual, and then we had the flurry of excitement as the children took to the backyard for the egg hunt.  It was fun to watch them scurry about, looking for eggs; the twins were so much better on their feet and were all into it, as opposed to last year when they had to be told what to do and pick up.  I'd say everyone was very successful in their haul, as evidenced by the pictures taken.

The ladies and the food at the gorgeous new kitchen of the Gregory's.

Great weather to eat out on the patio.

The children's table.

Lining up for the egg hunt.  We staggered them by age, height, and speed.

All the parents with their cameras up, taking pictures.

The big kids make sure nothing gets missed.

Searching high and low.

Satisfied no eggs were left undiscovered, they all sat down to enjoy their spoils.

Such a gorgeous, laid back day.

• We headed back home around 1 for the kids' naps.  While they were sleeping Tangie and I set to making our supper dish we were to bring for the 2nd event.  This was the first time we had been invited to attend the famous and sought-after Easter party hosted by Doug and Heather Hilliard, mutual friends we met through the Z's and other friends.  They had just recently moved to a magnificent subdivision in Apopka, reminiscent of Kentucky farmlands with grassy hills, big homes, and white horse fences.  Their new house was amazing, both in size and layout, and we were able to enjoy their hospitality.  Okay, let me just say it:  the house was HUGE!  Like 7000 sq. ft. huge!  I was joking around with Amy Z. that I felt like I was in some French Chateau!  The party was also co-hosted by the Bergherms so Jennifer brought all the cakes and sweets and goodies galore!  The best part of the party was being recruited by someone to don a costume and be the Easter bunny, to which I politely declined.  But I did use my networking skills to refer her to Duncan instead, who, at Corey's insistence, put the costume on in my stead.  And thank goodness too.  Because it was hot and hard to breathe inside the mask.  And because the kids, especially the bigger ones, decided it would be fun to beat and flog the Easter bunny, no matter who the person inside was.  Poor Duncan!  In the end, Bruce had to be the Easter bunny's personal body guard, and we had a successful egg hunt for all the kids.  We stayed behind as the party winded down, helping with the breakdown and clean up along with the Grodacks and Bergs, as we enjoyed the Hilliard Estate with our gracious hosts.  Can't wait until next year.

Tangie working on dish #2:  Veggie taco bites.

The party venue, at the Hilliard's open air patio.

Beautiful pool and entertaining area.

Braelyn getting her face done.

Maddy following her sister's lead.

End result.  Twin sisters!

Kohl looking very cool in pink!

And then he stuffs his face!

Maddy having a gay old time.

Or maybe it was her daddy and Bruce!

Working on some Easter crafts and decorations.

Tangie holding Addison Zbaraschuk, who was wearing matching colors!

Duncan scared for his life!

Giving some love to the Easter Bunny.

Giving final instructions to the kids regarding the Egg Hunt rules.

And they're off!

Don't forget that one!

She plopped down right there and started eating her treats!

Braelyn and Calleigh trading their goodies.

Looks like they enjoyed hanging out together that entire day.

• The rest of the week was back to the norm.  Everyone back to health and regular schedules, although with the sun setting later and later, it seems a waste to not be outside in the evenings to enjoy it all, especially since it will soon be too hot and suffocating to be outside at that time, if at all.  We worked on getting the garden ready for planting this week, and Braelyn had a dentist checkup.  A busy, but overall, enjoyable week.

Braelyn was off school for Easter Break on Monday so she enjoyed hanging out with the twins.

I took them to see the animated movie, The Croods.

Enjoying their popcorn and snacks during the feature.

Late evening romp at the neighborhood playground.

Boys will be boys...

Well...maybe.

Having a blast with friends.

First time pool session of the year.  It was still pretty chilly!

Headed to Bill Breeze Park to feed the birds and ducks.

Swung by a girls' softball league game.

Tuckered out by the day's activities!

They just sat down in the middle of the aisle at Home Depot and started singing!

Maddy showing Kohlden who's boss.

A big squeeze at Costco this week!

Braelyn had a dentist visit this week.  Everything was perfect!

Getting some plants for the garden at Lowe's.

This was how I found them during nap time.  Hmmm....

Randoms:

Suspicious of the blonde hair coming out of the back of the Easter Bunny.

Came across this bottle of vino.  Apparently I have my own vintage!

Even the bread at the Hilliard's party was festive!

The twins spied a squirrel at Home Depot.

Apparently the groundhog Punxsutawney Phil is not the only animal that can forecast weather!

Tangie getting the kids' things ready for sale at our upcoming consignment event.

Dishes this week:

Tangie's angelic eggs.

Veggie taco bites.

I utilized half an egg crate for Brae's snacks for school.  It even came with it's own caption!
Tangie found this neat idea on...drum roll please...Pinterest!

Surf and turf:  Flounder and beef tenderloin with pesto and vegetables.

Quotes:

• We had just finished our lunch at Bar Harbor Seafood and I was heading back inside to buy some food to take home:

          Brae:  "What are you going to get?"

          Me:  "I'm going to get some steaks."

          Maddy:  "I don't like snakes."

         That's good Maddy, 'cause they're all out of snakes!

• I was pouring water into the coffee machine to get it ready for the following morning:

          Maddy:  "Daddy, what are you doing?"

          Me:  "Making coffee for Mommy."

          Maddy:  "Why?"

          Me:  "Because she loves coffee."

          Maddy:  "I love coffee too!"

          Me:  "You do?"

          Maddy:  "Yes!  [pause]  I can drink coffee when I bigger!"

          When you're bigger!

• We were heading home from school, and Braelyn, as usual, would read and say aloud the name of the song and performing artist, from the display screen on the dashboard:  "Now playing It's A Beautiful Day by Michael Bluejay!"

          As opposed to Michael Bublé!

• Kohlden was finishing up his cereal one morning, and he resorted to using his hands to pick up the last floating pieces, rather than his spoon:

          Me:  "Kohlden, use your spoon buddy!"

          Kohlden:  "I can't!  My spoon's not working!"

          User error!

Isidro family, Easter 2013

Have a great week!