Friday, April 13, 2012

Easter, What a Glorious Day. . .



Wow - two posts within a week -some sort of record for the past couple of years!

Easter was a wonderful day - we had a delicious breakfast at church - we have such talented people, who are willing to serve such lovely occasions. The choir presentation, both Friday evening and Sunday morning, was so exciting. I always love it when we have combined services - I miss the feeling of the whole church family being together.

Easter Sunday afternoon is normally a time of family togetherness, eating, noisiness, and egg hunting. This year was totally different. Dad was recuperating from his first kidney stone surgery two weeks earlier - in fact, Sunday was the first day he felt like getting out of the house at all, and he was able to be at breakfast and worship service. But my sister had decided that he and Mom needed a less rambunctious celebration this year, so she took dinner to their house. This left us the opportunity celebrate with Dwight's family without having to try to maneuver, and perhaps have both sides all together, thus causing even more commotion.

Dwight's mom will be moving from Assisted Living to Health Care (nursing home) soon. She wanted to have a special celebration, so arrangements were made to go to the Sylvan Dale Guest Ranch for a wonderful buffet lunch and fun kids' activities. "So, what is your favorite food?", you ask? "Anything I don't have to cook!"

It was a glorious day - the food was fabulous, the sunshine was sparkling off the Big Thompson River as it flowed through the ranch. After lunch we headed with the kiddoes for the rest of the fun. Unfortunately, Little Miss Emma had a really bad cold that day, so she and Kristen not only missed the wonderful Easter celebration at church, but the fun in the afternoon.


Katie was so good at carrying her plate and picking out her own food.



Amazing how grown up Miss Hayley is looking these days!



First a ride on "pretend" horses





There was an Easter Egg hunt, but I didn't get any pictures - in fact, they didn't find any eggs! But the Easter bunny gave them some candy anyway.


Then - on to a nice surprise - rides on REAL horses! I was amazed at Katie's excitement over getting up on that big horse - and Livi loved it, too. Hayley, surprisingly, didn't want to go. It was very interesting to watch Katie without her little connected-at-the-hip sidekick, exerting her independence a bit more than normal.






Katie was even do the "rodeo queen" wave, which made me very nervous, as she held on to the saddle with only one hand!








Then Great Grandma had some snuggle time with her great grand girls.







As one of our songs from the musical said, "Oh, What a Glorious Day. . . "

14 comments:

Unknown said...

Looks like a very nice Easter day. I'm sorry that Emma & Kristen missed out, though.

Amy said...

What a fun day! So sorry that Emma and Kristin weren't able to join you.

Love the pictures!

nannykim said...

I was just catching up on everything--I have not visited for a while! Your poor hubby!

Glenda said...

A beautiful day . . . and lots of memories made!

Have a great weekend!

Brenda said...

What a perfectly beautiful day for you!
Ours turned out a little sour as Sunny's mom got sick and couldn't come over for dinner, then Sunny got sick. First time in a long time we've had someone sick in the house. He's better now. Grace did manage to enjoy hunting her eggs however.

nancygrayce said...

What a great day of celebrating! Sorry Emma was sick! ;( Those real horse rides are impressive! I'm scared of horses....shhhh...don't tell anyone I said that! :)

Hootin Anni said...

Sorry I'm so late getting around to stop by and say hello....

Your Easter was fabulous all the way around. It seem the sister is great at taking care of everyone that needs to be looked after...that must be commended!!!

Oh the ranch...yes I know that one too. Golly, some day I must get back to the Rockies...I'm afraid tho, with the thin air and the high altitude my heart wouldn't be able to take many days of all the exertion.

It seems like you and Dwight are getting along with your health much better these days. No mention of anything ---not that I mean that in a snide way...I'm just happy to see it. That's GOOD!----that's what I mean. You know me, I would mean anything but in a good way.

We just got back from a special open house of the new outdoor butterfly exhibit and plant sale at the Botanical gardens, and we didn't stop for lunch, so I best go get me some fruit or something and then begin to catch up with everyone that stopped by to say 'howdy' to this ol' Texas Gal.

Hope your weekend, what's left, will be good for you both...and the girls too. By the way....

By the way....Hayley looks a lot like "Gramma" Dawn I think!!!! And the littles riding the real horses....I LOVED to see that. What a joy.

Hootin Anni said...

really poor English today...sorry, kinda in a hurry. GEEZ.

Gram said...

Looks like a perfect Easter. It was such a beautiful day. I have not been to Sylvan Dale for years. I did not realize you could go for just a day. Great

grammy said...

What a glorious day indeed!!!
The ranch pictures look great. GG had a good time I am sure... so sad one of the girlies was sick!!!

Linda said...

Dawn - I just added your name to this lovely list of women. Come visit! http://www.emergingmummy.com/2012/04/in-which-i-present-you-with-wise-women.html#.T5Bun9WQnKd

Christa said...

Sounds like it was a Blessed day!

Sharon Lynne said...

What a nice day, and celebration. It looks like the girls had a lot of fun, and they will remember this day.
GG looks quite happy too!

Anonymous said...

your little granddaughter wants to ride? she can hop up and down on my hard d*ck and you can watch her get itt