Easter and Aaron's Family

We do not believe in the Easter Bunny :) However, bunny rabbits are one of Esther's new favorite animals (along with turtles...) and she enjoyed this Esther-size version and making the "sniff" sound!

The church held their traditional Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday. Esther really didn't understand what she was supposed to do, but she had fun! Although once she figured out what was in those shiney wrappers, we had to confinscate her collection :)

She loves to run around outside and has recently taken to trying to sneak out the door when Aaron comes home from work.

We took a picnic lunch to the park and then walked around and saw the ducks again. We were also entertained by a squirrel during our meal :)

We met up with Aaron's parents at the mall (which was just reopened after being flooded a couple years ago) and looked around. There were so many people there and stores - I felt like a country tourist! Here, Aaron's mom is showing Esther the fish in an aquarium (part of a restraunt).

Cracker Barrel rocking chairs -

I've been trying to get a good family picture - Aaron's mom took several for us, but getting two children to cooperate isn't working out...This is probably one of the best of Esther.

Another try -

I had the same problem getting a nice picture of the girls in their Easter dresses. (A lady from church gave them matching ones at Anna's shower.) They looked a lot cuter in person :)

Minus the headband! Esther is liking her baby sister more all the time.

Easter morning, the adult chior did a "cantata" and did a great job.

Some of Aaron's family came down for the service, then we went to eat at the state park. Esther was scared when we tried to take a picture with this human bunny!

There's a great view of the lake from this catwalk - but I realized later that it wasn't in any of the pictures I took...

Trying again -

Esther helped us pick up sticks in the backyard. Our potatos, lettuce, radishes, and onions are doing well, but the other garden things haven't gotten established yet - I think because it's dry here.

We went back to the state park another time. After living in town for six months, I appreciate the peace and quietness!

Esther enjoyed the swing, but she wasn't sure about the slide.

She enjoyed the stream though and put her hand in the water.

Anna has such a big smile - but I didn't manage to capture it on camera either!

She's getting nice and fat!

We went with some of Aaron's family to an artsy sort of restraunt for his grandmother's 81st birthday.

Us with Grandma -

Grandkids

In case you get tired of seeing pictures of baby girls...the fact is, this blog is primarily for "Grandpa and Grandma" (s) - so the rest of you will just have to suffer...

Someone gave Anna this towel, but for now, Esther has claimed it - we call her "The Frog Princess" and she thinks that's pretty special :)

Anna in a pretty little sundress -

My Mom got these matching dresses for the girls, and once again, I tried to get a good picture of the two of them - I thought these turned out a little better than the last try!

Before church on Sunday night....

Anna eats pretty well, so if she keeps it up, in a few years they may be able to pass for twins:) Or someday Anna may be the taller of the two, like in our family!

Amos and Rebekah were here for a day - the kids outnumbered the adults - we had a fun time watching all the little people.

Cousin Daniel wanted to hold baby Anna - he did pretty well :)

The new "K. cousins" - all of my parent's grandkids, and minus two of the great-grandkids

I forgot to rotate this one...Anna is pretty good at smiling, but I haven't got a picture of it yet - she really doesn't look this moody most of the time!

It was nice and cool this morning, so we took the girls out while we worked in the garden a little.

Hope you all have a wonderful Easter!

"Now is Christ risen from the dead."

Thanksgiving and Christmas

Hello! Hopefully you all had a great Thanksgiving and are carrying the "Thanksgiving Spirit" into the Christmas time as well!

This year was Aaron's family's year to be together on Thanksgiving Day. The night before we all went to Nashville to look at the lights at the OpryLand Hotel and then had dinner on a boat.

From the boat, you could see the lights of the city - the water was very calm and it was a beautiful evening.

Me, Esther, and Aaron before "dinner" -

Aaron and his grandmother -

Esther and her grandmother - On Thanksgiving Day we had a big meal and hung around and visited and played games and that kind of thing. The next morning, the ladies went to do some shopping and the guys finished out the holiday by splitting firewood and cleaning in a garage.
This year is the 3rd Christmas we've celebrated together, the 2nd that we've been married, and the first we've set up a big Christmas tree and really decorated. (Aaron's mono got in the way last year!) We had fun doing it together :)

Esther just after waking up from a nap - she wasn't sure what to think of the tree itself at first, but has reached the point where there's a couple ornaments that are real temptations to her :)

The first Saturday in December we had an open house at our home for the church people - it was pretty busy for both Aaron and I getting ready, but we really enjoyed it and hopefully the people who came did too!

For my family's sake, I've included a few pictues of our home decorated - Aaron had a bunch of things from before he was married, I had some, and some were given to us for our wedding.

I'll leave you with this picture of Esther and Aaron - she had a fever for a couple days last week, but is back to her cheerful self now...

Also, this last Sunday was our church's children's musical and this coming Sunday is our adult musical. If you remember, pray that is will go well!

More Birthday and Bible Bee

The week after Esther's birthday, Aaron's parents, grandparents, and sister and her husband, came up to celebrate. They came to church with us, then we all went out to eat at a place located in Mongtogmery Bell State Park, which is just down the road.

The scenery there was beautiful! We walked out on this "catwalk" type thing to get a better look.

The lake and the hills and the trees - most of the leaves are gone now, but there were a few left then.

We all came back to our house for cake and ice cream and to open presents. Esther's figured out the gift bags, but the other ones I had to help with :)

New socks from Alaska!

One gift was a little rocking chair just her size - she'll go in the living room and climb in it all herself.

A musical toy...

We were so excited that the Bible Bee was in Nashville this year! My parents and sisters came over to our house a couple days and we went there to hang out with them a couple days. Above is Hosanna, Miriam, and Priscilla -
Esther playing on the table -
For some reason, Esther really loved her Aunty Miriam :)
They had a 400th birthday party for the King James Bible! We were also able to watch the semi-finals and finals, look around at the vendors, go to a picnic with Bill Gothard, go to a family hymn sing, and meet up with Mrs. G. and Jonathan. I'm sure my Mom will fill everyone in on the details on her blog - We really enjoyed it and getting to spend time with the family!

Have a great Thanksgiving!