March 27, Easter

We are at taht stage in life where our family is apart on major holidays, and I don't think it will get better.  Look at Bruce and Marlene; they only had one child and one grand child with them for Easter.  My parents only had Trajan and Micaela.  It's strage to be apart, but Golda had a lovely time at Music and the Spoken Word and brunch at Gardner Village.  Thanks for taking such good care of her, Grandma and Grandpa!  She felt spoiled.

Golda got a Swatch and a camera in her Easter basket, which we left at home for her.  The kids in Arizona got some candy, and Ruby got zilch.  We're doing a great job of teaching our kids that life's not fair! ;)

Ruby, in Holland with the Onsteins, had a lesson on terrorism.  The Hague is not far from Brussels, where the latest heinous attack took place.  It's also the seat of European politics, so naturally there is fear, but you also have to live your life.  I can't begin to tell you how scared we were to send Ruby over there alone.  We trust her, though, and we don't want to live in fear and have it make our decisions for us.  Ruby had a wonderful time with the Onsteins.

We dug up some pictures of when Alex Onstein lived with us in 1986.  I was pretty proud of that ski ensemble.

These people at Oakridge.  Don't they look nice?

Ruby's Easter breakfast

Easter morning with this bright little spirit.  I love Ptolemy.

Tziporah can sleep through anything, a good skill for a youngest child.

Someone got a blue ring pop from the Easter bunny!

The Jennies were in charge of a sumptuous spread poolside, including ham, funeral potatoes and rolls.  It wasn't our traditional Easter, swimming in Arizona, but the food was good and the company couldn't be beat.  I was grateful to feel the sun on my skin and watch the kids play.  This trip was about cousins, and in that regard, it was perfect.

Actually, it was a perfect trip in every regard.  We loved all of it.  Jer and Jen are great hosts, and the weather was a welcome reprieve from Utah's spring.

I snapped a shot of the Gilbert temple for Golda

Easter night, the grown-ups went out for dinner.  Walking in historic downtown Gilbert, we spotted Mike Scheuller's brother and his family.  That was fun!

I'll be craving the dish I had at this "Mexico City soul food" restaurant.  That sauce!  The vibe was great, and we sat outside with a fire on our table.  There were exaggerated reports back at the house of unruly kids and mean babysitters, (Araceli and Neeley) but everyone survived.  I don't recommend leaving 13 kids home together, though.  There's a lot of drama. :)

From these faces, you ask?  How could that be?  I know, they're all perfect kids, they really are.  I just love them!