Our 2nd Major Hosting Holiday

Less than 2 months after moving into our house, we gave the supposedly "perfect for parties" floor plan a good test by hosting our first big family event - Thanksgiving. While we've had a couple of other parties since then, Easter would be our 2nd opportunity to host a major holiday. Normally Mike's uncle Bob takes the reign on hosting that one, but him being fresh off open heart surgery put him in no position for house guests. So, we took the pressure off him and had the gang over here.

As with Thanksgiving, we had FAR too much food. With about 20 people, half being kids, we also had plenty of chaos. However, the party went great and it was even nice enough to spend some of the afternoon outside.

Dylan and Cade Looking Spiffy for Easter

The Boys - Ryker, Dylan, Cade, Justin, Ryan, Jacob and Corwin (with the thumbs up)

Serving the Food Buffet Style

Lovely Cookies Sent to Us by Niece Emily

Dylan Eating a Chocolate Bunny Pop
(He had that in his hand for at least an hour)

Cousin Jamie Pushing Ryan, Dylan and Justin

Playin' Ball

Jessie and Kat Watchin' All the Boys Play

Swingin'

Kristina and Betsy

Mike Gave Tractor Rides

Ryker

Ryan

Jamie Taking a Turn on the Lawn Mower

Cade Sleeping

Me and Cade

After Jamie's go round on the tractor it wouldn't start up again. So instead of rides, it entertained the boys by becoming a project then was left to become an expensive lawn ornament until Mike pushed it to the garage that night. After many more attempts and tinkering, Mike finally got it started again a couple of days later.

Dylan on the Lawn Ornament

Boys Tinkering with an Audience

The little boys were so cute watching on that I tried to get a picture of them all. With that many squirmy boys, it was impossible to get one shot with them all facing the camera. So, instead of one picture of them, here is a series. I think the combo of them all equals about one good picture.

After the family packed up and left, it was odd that the house felt quiet with it "only" being 9 of us left.