An Easter Celebration

Hello, Dear Friends, I hope that you had a lovely 

Easter! Thank you so much for your dear Easter wishes

and all your sweet comments on my decorating.

I'm always hesitant to put myself 'out there', 

but you are all so very kind! 

xoxo 

I was very busy preparing for our Easter gathering at my son's home,   

which included two birthdays - my daughter, Jennie's

birthday is in April and so is my daughter-in-law, Jen's Mom, Julia.  

I created some flowering Easter baskets for all the ladies. 

I painted the terra-cotta pots, inside and out, with porch and floor paint,

planted them with purple allysum and bacopa, then

 added twig 'handles' wrapped with ribbon.

Tiny speckled eggs, fuzzy chicks and sweet vintage style tags

complete the 'baskets'. 

I made one large planter for one of the birthday gals, 

my DIL's Mom, Julia. 

Our gathering included my whole family, my daughter-in-law, 

Erica's parents, and my other daughter-in-law, Jen's Mom. 

Speckled eggs, fuzzy chicks, and sweet, vintage style tag. 

This one was planted with English daisies and false rock cress (aubretia). 

I also baked some Easter cupcakes. 

I've made these before and they are super easy. 

Just tint sweetened coconut with green food coloring

to make 'nests', and add tiny speckled eggs to your favorite cupcakes.

Of course, I had to bake extra for Ramblin' man :)

I also made deviled eggs, and put together

Easter baskets for my two grandchildren

which I forgot to take photos of !

It was a warm and very spring-like day, 

and we caught a view of beautiful Mt. Rainier

on our drive over to my son's house. 

The fields are lush and green, and the trees are 

just starting to leaf out. 

You can see the white flowers of native wild cherry

and plum, here and there. 

Both of my son's live in the same neighborhood, 

which is an hour and a half drive from us.

This is my son, Dustin and wife, Jen's home, 

as we drive by.  

I am so glad that they live close to one another :)

They are both 'Techies', one at Microsoft, 

which is close by, and one owns his own IT business. 

When they talk 'tech', it is like a foreign language :)

There is a little pond in their neighborhood, 

and they have lots of wildlife, including

deer, raccoons, and even bobcat. 

It is an older neighborhood with established 

trees and landscaping, and in the spring

it is full of flowering trees. 

We arrive at Gabe and Erica's (and little Ethan's) home. 

We place our gifts in the front room. 

The little pail with whirly-gig and basket with two lambs

on the far left are for my little grandson's, Ethan (almost 2), 

and Gavin (5 mos.)

Yummy food! DIL, Jen made the 'bunny' fruit tray :)

The 'wreath' is an egg and bacon pastry wreath,

made by daughter, Heather. 

Meals are always a collaborative affair. 

Mimosa Cheers! 

Ethan's first egg hunt. xoxo

Don't you love those little jeans? 

And those chubby cheeks! 

Speaking of chubby cheeks! Our little Easter Bunny, Gavin, 

with Mom - daughter, Heather. 

O.K. that's enough of that! Let's eat! 

Quiche, spinach strawberry salad, and roasted potatoes. 

Yum! 

Erica sets a beautiful table. 

There wasn't a crumb left. 

Afterwards we sang Happy Birthday to the 'birthday girls'

and had cupcakes and ice-cream. 

The birthday girl, Auntie Jennie with baby Gavin.

She is my 'middle child', with all the diplomatic, 

negotiating skills entailed.........

She is also very petite, so she had to hold her own

with an older sister, and two rowdy brothers :)

Hard to believe my girl is turning 37! 

Ethan with 'Poppa' putting toys down his shirt.

They are silly together.  

You never know what your grandchildren will call you :) 

I am 'Mooma'. Too cute! 

Ethan is just starting to talk in sentences, 

although.....his favorite word right now is 'no'! haha! 

I so wanted to get a group photo, but the day was busy

and went by too fast. 

Next time.......for sure! 

I did manage to get this one, though! 

They are a year and a half apart. 

It will be fun watching them grow up together.

I chose a potted miniature rose from
Erica's dear parents, Jeff and Jane, and then it was time
to say goodbye.

I am so thankful for these precious moments,
spent with dear friends and family.

Now they are lovely memories in my heart.

xoxo