He is risen!

And that is what my new banner says - but the print on the letter fabric is too busy to show up on the camera well. But just the same - Christ is risen!

It was my first time hosting Easter (or any major holiday, for that matter.) We stayed small with just my sister and Dan's parents and sister Amy. But we still went all out with the food. It was a very blessed time. I made my first lamb and it was as easy to prepare as it was delicious to eat. I used this recipe and highly recommend it. We did not grill it since I bought a bone-in leg. I just popped it in the oven according to Julia Child and we all got to smell it roasting as we noshed on our appetizers.

The day before Easter we got a big box in the mail - a box full of Thomas the Train goodies! Dan's Aunt Bridget sent us all of her sons' old trains - what a huge surprise it was for the boys -thank you thank you thank you!

The boys enjoyed Grandma and Grandpa's Easter egg hunt.

Isaiah stayed inside with his new ball.

And we finally got some casual family photos. Our family has grown since last Easter!

All dressed up...

... and not many photos to prove it.

We got all dressed up in new clothes - Dan even bought a suit - for Aunt Nissie's wedding. Of course I intended to finally get some good family pictures but these are all I got. The whole day was a blur. It wasn't until I collapsed in bed last night that I realized that I never even got to congratulate or hug Denise goodbye. So I'll do it here :-) Denise and Lendl - we are beyond thrilled for you and miss you already.

When they're not sporting oxfords and ties the boys like to play in the mud.

I can't believe my baby is already old enough to get into trouble!

I believe Patrick was the guilty culprit here.

My dentist loves me

Because I'm funding his vacation this summer.

Look Mom! It's kinda fun being a freak, I get to scare little kids. I told my friends' kids that this is what happens if you don't brush your teeth. They were horrified. I decided to go sans makeup and shower to complete the look. How do you pose anyways for a self-portrait displaying your new dentures?

That's always a flattering shot.

Sneaky

Isaiah's been a bit sneaky recently. This morning I heard him laughing and squealing in his highchair. I turned around to see him like this! He had pulled that tray of bananas off the counter. Guess he needs more potassium.

And he'd like us to think that he can't get around and needs us to carry him everywhere. But the other day I heard Isaiah crying in the living room so I went in to investigate. This is how I found him!

This is the kind of camping I can get excited about.

Writing

Jack and Patrick were working hard at writing this morning.

Since Isaiah can't go outside in the cold with Brothers, the next best thing is to watch them out the door while sucking on a pickle.

Sunday best

It's really difficult to get great (or even good) pictures of my boys. Trying to get them all in one shot is usually impossible. They might not all be smiling or looking at the camera but atleast they're dapper little dudes.

Our recent adventure in home-owning was (is, I should say, we're not done) in the backyard. Since our home is on a rather steep hill we have a nice swampland in our backyard. Maybe the state should buy our property from us and turn it into a bird haven. So we're digging a giant trench in the mud and will lay some pipes to help encourage the puddles to flow to the street rather than under our house. It's muddy business but the little boys love it and we've had fun finding lots of worms. This one measured 9 inches!

Rub-a-dub-dub

Three boys in the tub. Isaiah used to scream when I gave him baths. Which is funny because the other two boys loved baths as babies. Coincidentally, Isaiah is the only boy who was actually born in a bathtub. But since he's been sitting well on his own, Isaiah's been thrown into the tub with the big boys and has had a change of heart regarding baths.

This is a tart I made for our Sabbath tomorrow. It has a chocolate crust and a caramel-almond filling with chocolate criss-crossed on top. I'll serve it with almond flavored whipped cream. I hope it tastes as good as it looks and sounds. I've gotta (try) to keep up with my lil-sis - http://infoodweindulge.wordpress.com/