Another Birthday & Easter

  We celebrated Kiley's 7th birthday last week.  She is my baby girl and is growing up so fast.  She is so sweet and has lots of spunk too.  We went out to lunch and then I cooked a steak dinner by her request.  We also made pink cupcakes. I am so thankful to have her in my life and look forward to seeing how God is going to continue to use her in the years ahead. 

  We also had a combined party for her and Carter this weekend.  We love having friends and family over.  

 Obviously 5 is the age to give cheesy silly smiles.  Kiley finally got a Baby Alive.

 Here are some of the cousins with my kids singing. 12 kids 12 and under get very silly and LOUD ;) 

 Their Aunt gave them Easter treat bags.  They each had cans of silly string.  They planned a sneak attack on Uncle Law.  

 He didn't have a chance!
For Easter lunch we all went out to my Aunt and Uncle's house.  They LOVE it there.  She has lots of land to run and run.  My Mom, Aunt, and Uncle all planned an Easter egg hunt.  Each egg had the child's name.  They not only had to find an egg, they had to find their own.
 I got some really great pictures.  Here are some of them.  It was so hard to chose which ones.  I will post the rest on fb.  

 Some the cousins ready to go and are patiently waiting for instructions.  The group included my 6, my brother's 6, and my cousin's 2, the oldest is 12.

 
And they were off and running!

 He was so happy to find one of his eggs.

 The bigger kids had to not only search the yard, but a very long driveway too.

 The little ones searching around the porch.  I think they all smiled the entire time.

  Jeff helped Brayden find his eggs.  He loved putting them in his bucket and throwing them.
  A good time was had by all.  
  I love the opportunity to spend a month focused on Jesus and what He did so that we might have eternal life with Him.  The kids and I read the 4 gospel accounts several times over the Lent season.  It is an amazing love that He has and amazing gift that He offers.  As this beautiful day comes to an end, I am so thankful for my salvation and for all that the Lord has done in my life.
 Surely he took up our pain
   and bore our suffering,
yet we considered him punished by God,
   stricken by him, and afflicted.
 But he was pierced for our transgressions,
   he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was on him,
   and by his wounds we are healed. 

              Isaiah 53:4-5

He is not here; He has risen 

         Luke 24:6a
Happy Easter!
:>Michelle