Easter 2014

Our annual Easter trip is always the high light of my spring.  That's one good thing I can say about moving to Houston(at the moment) is that we will be closer to Hammond, LA.  In the past 10 years, we've only missed once and that's when I was pregnant with W and we were due the week after Easter.  Easter was so late that year.  We stayed here though and went to J/N house for our own egg hunt and celebration.

We left Wednesday afternoon around 3:15.  B checked R out of school and I left a few minutes early to get home and get ready.  I packed mostly everything the night before so just the cooler needed to be packed for the car.  We stayed with C/H in ATL Wednesday night and it's always fun to see them.  We got into their house late though (around 9:00) so the kids did not stay up long.  Us adults, stayed up for a while talking, but not too late since both C and H had to work the next morning.  We left their house Thursday morning and made it into Hattiesburg Thursday early afternoon.  We skipped naps and instead, went to the mall to take a picture with the Easter Bunny (our yearly tradition).  After that, we went back to Gram's house for spaghetti where Ryan and Ashley met up with us.  The kids were very excited to see A/R.  They are getting so much older and are turning out to be really good kids.

Friday morning Deane and baby Ryan came over for a visit.  It was great to hang out with them.  The last time we saw Ryan was when he was 8 weeks old.  He's a chunk of a kid though.  He's expecting a little brother or sister during December so I know that will be exciting!  While we played with Deane and Ryan, Chris/Heather drove into Hattiesburg on their way to Hammond.  The 3 cars caravan to Uncle Charles' house (the Bryants, Hantlas, DeDeauxs).  I don't remember what time we got to Hammond but it was just great to be there with family.  B's family wasn't far behind.  P/A/A/K/M came over and soon after, M/M/L/E/A arrived.  B's parents got there pretty late Friday, but they made it and it was great.  Wish C/J/L/A could make it one year but not as long as they live over seas.

It's hard for me to really document what Easter is like at my Uncle's house.  This year, like always, we had tons of food, drinks, sweets, and laughter.  The kids played football and soccer in the back yard.  There was a DJ that came this year and played at interesting mix of music for us.  I remember one song being all about 'booty'.  He started playing 1 song about drugs or getting high so we quickly let him know that that wasn't a good choice.  The annual kids against the adults softball game was played and GLupe

hit the first ball.  Lloyd ran for her this year with his beer in hand (as expected).  I think I knew where only E was the whole day as the old 3 ran off and played.  It's pretty much my favorite day of the year.  We are outside 99% of the day and in the sun, shade, wind, you name it.  Whatever the weather, we have a good time.

On Saturday after the group picture, we made our way to Hattiesburg so we could get an easier start for the long drive back to NC.  My mom made us a great lunch for the car so we didn't have to stop for as many meals.  We left her house at 7:00 and got home at 10:00 which makes for a 14 hour drive. That was the last time we will make that drive on Easter Sunday (for a while at least).

I know our big family reunion takes away from the celebration of JC's death and resurrection.  I'm trying to think of ways to incorporate that more into our weekend festivities.  Now that we are a little closer, we can actually attend church on Easter Sunday with the family.  That will make me happy.