Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Easter Vigil and Morning

Okay, here it is in all its glory...our Easter picture.
If some of us look exhausted we are. Philip just got off of working his sixth of ten days in row and as you can see I am trying to set a record for biggest belly again. However the three guys on the right look charming and dapper! Only Avery could pull of a cowboy sailor so well and PT is still experimenting with different facial expressions, which is quite funny.




Avery and Avery in 20 years!

It wouldn't be complete without a picture of the only other girl, Miss Jessica.

Easter Vigil, aka The Fire Mass, was lovely and long and some did not make it all the way through. Easter vigil has always made me feel more united with the early Christains who had to gather in the darkness of the catacombs: it was wonderful to share that moment with the boys this year. . Paul Thomas was amazed at the dark church that slowly filled with candle light . He also enjoyed the Bishop's golden hat.
The boys did an excellent job giving up donuts this lent (we have them after Mass) so Easter morning was especially sweet for then with cherry donuts (an Amarillo treat).

After donuts and some protein we, all but Philip who had to work, loaded up and headed to Palo Duro Canyon (we have the red shoes to prove it). Sheepishly, I haven't been since our wedding. It is quite a different experience with two little ones and another on the way. I wish I would have remembered the video camera because the boys were is awe of the place.

Here is were I must thank a hundred times over Uncle Stephen, Uncle Tim and Miss Jessica for looking out for my boys, helping them up and down many rocks and for carrying them all the way back on the Sunflower trail!
Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Okay enough with the words on with pictures...



On the cave trail.


This is one of my favorite spots in the canyon.
Paul Thomas called it the rock rainbow.




Check out Avery...he found some handles.




More helping hands keeping my little ones safe.
I owe you guys big time.


Crawling through the scary part.
Avery didn't need as much coaxing as PT.


Proof that PT also crawled through.


Tagging-Canyon style.
Notice how Avery is on Uncle Tim's shoulders, all the way back on this trail both boys rode on shoulders.
I owe everyone a neck and shoulder rub!



Of course if there is water, a rock must be tossed in.


Well, that's all from the canyon...the photographer was really lagging behind this trip.

Saturday, April 30, 2011

Easter Preparations

Dying Eggs!


I wasn't going to tackle this festive feat, but with Uncle Stephen around fun things just happen.




Additional helping hands, Uncle Tim and Miss Jessica.



All of PT"s eggs were colored blue. No reason to branch out to other colors: when you've found a winner stick with it.




Avery on the other hand was our green guy.
The boys color choice might have something to do with the fact that I tend to put them in those colors.

Everyone had a good time and we learned that even if an entire cup of green dye gets spilled on the counter all-purpose cleaner will remove all traces of it.

Thanks Uncle Stephen for the fun activity.


Friday, April 29, 2011

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Easter Preview

We had a great Easter and can't wait to tell you all about it!

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

The Decline and Fall of...

There have been multiple pieces in the last few weeks about "the decline of America," each of which focus solely on economic factors such as government debt, growth of the economy and the value of currency. This, however, is a slightly different perspective which is much more insightful and frightening.

Saturday, April 23, 2011

A Few Things You Should Know

While not necessarily helpful or even relevant for this Holy Saturday, if you have some time check out this article that debunks 4 popular crusade myths.

Thursday, April 21, 2011

We Need More of These Attitudes

I think we all need to take this approach to the faith. If we were all a little more joyful about our faith and realistic about our faults there would be a lot less silliness within the Church. Our Jewish-Catholic brethren are the perfect antidote to many of the problems most of us only complain about.