ShinDig

Life is better with friends. 

Missed you Kim and Amy!

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter Morning!

Time for the egg hunt.

Three Easter cuties!

The Joy of Easter

I realize these posts are out of order... but bear with me we have had a lot going on! I did not want Easter to pass without recording it here.

I love Easter. I was born on Easter (32 years ago) and I always think that time of year is blessed and peaceful (even in the midst of difficult circumstances). Every year Easter reminds us of so many important things and I want to make sure that I am teaching these important things to my children.

Easter Teaches Us That...

~No matter how long, hard, and cold the winter,
spring and new life will always follow.

~Even though many things can look dead and beyond revival,
come spring they will bloom again.

~Chocolate and jelly beans can soothe many woes.

~ Miracles did and do happen.

~ Sunday always follows Friday.
It can look like darkness has won,
but behold Sunday is coming.

and most importantly

~God keeps his promises.
He does what he says he will do.
Even if circumstances look bleak-
He will never fail to fulfill his promises.

Here is how we spent or beautiful and sunny Easter...

At the park for playing and pictures.

Having an annual Easter Egg Hunt at my parents house.

To try and keep the focus on the real reason for Easter we celebrate in other ways too...

We use Resurrection Eggs as a countdown and teaching tool. You can make them with these instructions (there are a ton of options online for making them - this is just one) or buy them here.

We read many books about Easter and what it really means.

We display this crown of thorns on our dining room table. I tear up every year when I get it out.

And, we make Resurrections Rolls.

I would love to hear any other ideas!

Linville Falls

After hiking at Grandfather Mountain the family headed over to Linville Falls.
Linville Falls is one of the most gorgeous places I have ever seen in nature.

Tow very tired boys with my dad.
Isaac and Ethan had to be carried part of the way up the steepest incline.

The Hoots Family.
With 1 seven year old and 2 four year olds.

Celebrating 4 Years

For a day of birthday celebration we headed out to Grandfather Mountain. The views and the weather was gorgeous. It was a fun day with the family.

We walked over the mile - high bridge. It is actually a mile above sea level. The bridge was nearly as scary as I anticipated.

Grandfather Mountain has a small wildlife area with animals native to the NC mountains. The most interesting one we saw up close was the Black Bear. They also have Cougars - but they were not visible the day we were there.

A little climbing before lunch.

With the grandparents.
Don't they just look like tourists with their binoculars on!

My parents out at the highest point.
We didn't take the kids all the way out there - the mile high bridge was enough adventure.

The view from Grandfather Mountain.

Isaac and Olivia are telling you how old they are... Livy is 4 and Isaac is 1 (or so claimed).

Granddad and the boys.

Our miniature teenager.

Oh how I love the Amish

On Saturday we made a day trip to Hamptonville, NC. Only about an hour from our house they are home to the only settlement of Amish in North Carolina. John and I have been looking for a place to buy wheat berries and we found an Amish general store in said town. I was skeptical, not really believing that it would be a true Amish store. You see, I was born in Amish country (Ohio) and I adore the Amish and Amish Country. We like to go whenever we get the chance. I have seen many Amish folks (and have attempted to talk to several, but they are not the friendliest folks to outsiders- and for your own general knowledge NEVER try to talk to their children- they find this extremely offensive). Anyway, had my doubts that this would be a real Amish store. I was pleasantly surprised...

The gorgeous North Carolina country side. Right beside the store.

Saw this right across the street. A REAL horse and buggy complete with bonnet headed Amish woman inside.

Sorry the picture is a little fuzzy. I took it through our car window. I did not want to roll down the window and stick my head out. I was afraid this would not come accross like "I love and respect your culture" but rather "Check out these freaks!".

Again, cute pony right outside the store.

Behind the store, a horse and buggy repair shop.

Shiloh General Store.

Complete with sign on the door that read "Modesty Appreciated". LOVE IT!

I really wanted to take a picture of the sign - but again I did not want to come across like I was mocking.

And, what did we see when we first walked in the door???

A real Amish man behind the counter. (He was actually very friendly - to John especially- it is not considered proper for them to be friendly to another man's wife).

Anyway - if you want to take a cute day trip google Shiloh General Store in Hamptonville, NC. They do not have a website or take credit cards (how could they - they are really Amish). But, they do sell Amish hoop cheese, roll butter, wheat berries, raw honey, homemade preserves (we bought blackberry), Amish meat, Amish ice cream, and much more. (On a side note- if you have not tasted Amish cheese - you have never tasted cheese).

ShinDig

What is the ShinDig? A couples only beach weekend. We go every spring and leave the kiddos at home. It's great fun. We leave the kids with the grandmothers and get 4 kid- free days of beach bliss.

So, we are home from the annual ShinDig. We started talking about the trip a year ago, so I am always surprised when it is over and done with!

The ladies...

Anna, Ida, Karen, me, Patty, Kim and Amy.

(We really missed you Meredith and Monica!)

The men.

Chris, Jon, John, Joel, Jason, Josh, Nate.

We had a great time and had some memorable moments - including the amazing race gone bad!

A Day to Celebrate

On Easter, we headed out to a local park and climbed walls, explored old houses, climbed trees, and attempted to get a picture of the three kids. The weather was beautiful and HOT. We have skipped over Spring and landed in Summer. Hopefully Spring will return.

Why will they not all look at once? No matter how many I take - this always seems to be the case!

Just kicking back.

Livy and her cheesy smile.