Getaway for Gran's 90th Birthday

My Grandma turned 90 in April and my Mom planned a party to celebrate. Several months ago my sister Linda (who lives in Canada) and I decided we both wanted to be in Utah for the celebration. I brought McKell with me, since that was easier than finding someone to watch her the days I was gone. Plus she's really cute and I really like her and didn't mind having her along for the trip.

The flight we took to Utah left from Austin, which is about 1.75 hours from Bryan, at 6:30 AM. So at 3:00 AM I woke McKell up, strapped her in the car, and took off for the airport. Everything went smoothly, but we were VERY tired that afternoon.

My parents knew I was coming to Utah for the party, but the plan was to surprise my Grandma when I arrived. But when I showed up on her doorstep she wasn't as surprised as I thought she would be. My sister had spectacularly surprised her when she arrived a few days previous to me, so I was expecting something similar. Apparently I gave myself away though. My Gran said she had begun to wonder if I was flying up for the party because I hadn't called to wish her a Happy Birthday yet, and I always remember to call her on her birthday. Oops! Guess I should have made a call during my layover that morning. :( She was still happy to see us, of course. 

Selfie with the Birthday Girl! My sister Linda, Gran, my Mom, and me.

A lot of other people were able to come for the celebration too. My aunt and uncle came from California, my other uncle and his entire family drove up from Las Vegas, my cousin made the trip from Phoenix, and many, many other friends and family members came from all over Utah and a few other states as well. My Gran got to see neighbors from when she was raising her family, friends from her Arizona snowbird years, and family members who are rarely able to visit. I know she felt loved and honored that day.

Gran with her girls - my Mom and Aunt Shirlene.

In addition to celebrating Gran's birthday, it was really nice to spend some time with my sister and her husband. We rarely see them since we live way down in Texas and they live way up in Canada. 

My brother Nate compiled a video with birthday wishes sent in from friends and family.

 Saturday morning, before the birthday party, we had time for a quick Krispy Kreme donut run. Yum!

Cute little girl with her Grandpa.

My sister is pregnant with her first baby, so we spent one morning shopping for maternity clothes. McKell was a trooper and found ways to entertain herself while Linda was trying on clothes.

I'm so glad McKell and I were able to spend a few days in Utah with my family, and especially to celebrate a milestone birthday with my wonderful Gran.

Easter

I love celebrating holidays, and Easter is no exception.

This year Easter came at the end of a pretty hectic couple of weeks filled with surgery, visitors, birthdays, and car repairs. We still managed to pull everything together though and enjoy a wonderful weekend.

On the evening of Good Friday we had a special lesson together about Jesus and the resurrection. Mid-lesson we went to the kitchen to make some "Resurrection Rolls" (a recipe we've never tried before, but which I'm pretty sure will be family tradition from now on). While the rolls baked we finished the lesson and watched a short video. Right when the video ended the kitchen timer went off! Good timing, huh? 

The rolls are really cool because when you cut them open they are hollow and resemble an empty tomb. The girls were pretty amazed by the magic. :)  

The following morning the girls enjoyed finding treats and small gifts in their baskets and hunting for their eggs. We've always done Easter baskets and egg hunts Saturday morning so we can try to focus more on Jesus on Easter Sunday. 

In spite of my protests, Mr. Easter Bunny insisted on including marshmallow peeps in the baskets this year. I don't think any of the girls ended up eating theirs. 

Kaylee and Ashlyn always have to look pretty hard to find their eggs (each girls has eggs of a different color so they know to only grab their own eggs).

 

McKell has often surprised us with her knack for organization. When she found all her eggs she emptied them and sorted the candy by type.

Sunday morning picture of the girls in their new Easter dresses.

Everyone actually smiled!

Sunday afternoon we enjoyed watching a Mormon Tabernacle Choir performance of one of Russ's favorite works - Handel's "Messiah". Then we had a lovely Easter dinner with some friends from church.

And this was a fun Easter craft I did with the girls.