Easter!

Easter was a cold, rainy, gray day.  It didn't stop us from celebrating the holiday though.  

We did skip the outside photos and the easter egg hunting outdoors!

The girls and I attended mass.  Mallory met us there, but I didn't take my phone in, and I didn't take any photos of the church flowers, which I always really enjoy.  

Spencer's cousin got married, so Colin and Spencer were pretty tied up with that this weekend.  Sunny's sister joined the church, so Preston and Sunny went to be with her family for Easter.  So we decided to do our big celebrating next weekend when everyone could be home.  Never one to shy away from cooking a big meal, I told the kids I would still make dinner and anyone who wanted to stop by could.  We ended up with Cameron, Mallory, Madison and her crew, and Quincy all coming over!  I was happy to see them all!  Two weekends of family this way - right?  :)  I am happy about that!

The girls had a pretty eventful day, and Wrenley was done - tired little thing. 

We dyed the eggs and then made deviled eggs.  Wrenley tried to peel her own egg.  Needless to say, that one was not consumed!  :)  She is a wild woman.

Maude didn't get as much outside time as she usually does.  As a result, she was being a turd.  She did have fun wrestling around with Mallory's dogs, and tormenting Wrenley and Evelyn by stealing their toys.  She must have worn her self out playing, because when they left, she finally crashed out!

Jim and I were laughing about her two speeds - super-sonic high, and completely off.  :) 

I have always loved Easter.  I think just in general, I enjoy spring, with babies all over, and green grass and flowers, and warmer weather.  Spring and Easter are about new life, and the promise of better things to come.  To me anyway.  I am always happy to celebrate any holiday with my family, but Easter is one of my favorites.  I was saddened to get up this morning to the news that Pope Francis died.  To me, he was a good pope.  I know not everyone agrees with the Catholic church.  I know that not everyone liked this pope because he had some more progressive views, such as inclusion of gay people, and acceptance of all people as children of God.  There are those, even in the faith who felt he needed to return to the old conservatism of the church.  I disagree, I feel like God is a God for all people.  I feel like Jesus did not stutter when he came here to teach us how to live, and he said over and over again to love your neighbor, love your enemies, turn the other cheek, help the poor, include the marginalized, give your extra cloak to those in need, stop casting stones, stop making a mockery of his father's house, and stop living as a hypocrite.  I always felt like Pope Francis emulated this.  He seemed to send the message to include all people, judge less, love more, help more.  I think that is a message we all need to hear, regardless of religion.  Rest in Peace Pope Francis.