Easter Dinner

This year I got to host Easter for my mom's side of the family. I remember all the Easter dinners we had growing up at my Grandma Randy's house. As I planned the meal, picked out the linens, set the tables and got everything ready, I thought of her. She was such an amazing lady. She did so many things just right. I especially miss her on holidays. This Easter I spent with a few of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren and it was pretty special.

Due to the superb skills of my gardener a.k.a. Mike, my yard is blooming Spring all over.

I spent some time on Saturday scoping out all the flowers, clipping them and making arrangements for the tables. It was so fun. I only wish my super talented sister/floral arranger was in town to help me out.

I think I did alright though.

It was a lovely spread of Easter goodness. I love that everyone in the family brought something to the feast. It's sure nice not to have to do everything. Every hostess loves a gracious guest.

Uncle Jim made Italian Easter Bread. It was super-super yummy.

This was the dessert buffet. I made the same carrot cake as last year. Pretty sure it is now an Easter tradition. Even the carrot cake skeptics liked it!

Here's the crowd as they are dishing up.

After we ate, the kids all had a blast in the yard. Up and down the driveway and all around the culdesac. Cousin Beau now has celebrity staus with my boys.

They are sure to ask me everyday when he is coming back. I hope it's soon!

Aunt Steph and Scarlett.

Steph and I had a fun photo shoot with Miss Scarlett. She is so stinking cute. Everyday I ask myself how I got so lucky--so, so blessed. She is just so much fun. This was my favorite picture of her. She looks on the outside how I feel on the inside.

Here we all are. All the grandchildren and great-grandchildren of my grandparents that I miss so much. (Well, all that were able to come. There are many more.)

And at the end of the day, after the clean-up was done, the kids all asleep, there was still a bit of carrot cake left to enjoy.

Hope you had a happy Easter too.