Winners and An Easter Album

First of all, I would like to thank all those who participated in the humble

"I Survived Winter" Giveaway! 

There were those who had no need to survive, but rather THRIVED in the winter solstice ( "I anticipate every forecast, circle around the moon, or gray cloudy sky just waiting for the first glorious flake to fall! Like a kid I stand at the window watching for the dance of flurries to begin."~Judy). 

Then there were others who used the season to hunker down and tap into their creativity ("I survived by crafting my life away!! I made several scrapbooks for friends and tons and tons of jewelry. Otherwise, I never go anywhere without my footie PJs and portable space heater" ~Laura).

The two winners were generated by random.org, and they are:

# 7  Shar Halverson of Shar's Life

(Winner of the Williams and Sonoma Spring Set)

#28 Jaime of For His Glory

(Winner of the Beautiful Reminders)

Both of these women are exceptional people, and I am so happy to send them each a little something fun! Thank you to all my dear blogging friends for entering. Truly, I appreciate you all so much.

The other part of this post is our (online) Easter Photo Album.

I know there are more than enough pictures of little girls in pastel dresses and boys wearing outfits they can't wait to get out of, images of dyed Easter eggs and family pictures that portray nothing of the helter skelter that went on in the hours before everyone lined up in their Sunday best. I will not be offended if you click out!
 

***

Easter 2011

The highlight: Being able to emphasize to our children Who Easter is really about.

The lowlight: Getting five small children ready for Church (even though we walk to it...it's in our backyard!) AND keeping the candy consumption at as low as humanly possible due to the price paid in terms of sugar-induced behavior. Both are insurmountable tasks. 

The day turned out to be refreshingly beautiful and warm. What an uplift to the heart it was to see the Sun, while we celebrated the life of it's Creator!

 My girls and I.

 

 The natural pose that everyone is very pleased about.

 

Out the back door, behind the barn, past the coup, beyond the blackberry patch...

This is the way we walk to church so early Sunday morning.

After church, we convened with our friends and next door neighbors who also attend there. Rhonda was patient kind enough to try a family picture. You might notice the classic 'mother grip' I have on our daughter. (This is not a complete family picture. My handsome stepson was not with us this Easter.)

Our really sweet neighbors. Leah (the five year old) rates right up there with Jesus in their minds. Especially my three year old daughter. In fact, all evening she insisted on being called Leah (addressing both my husband and I by our given names as the real Leah does) and that is not a rare event.

Easter lunch was held by the Queen of Hospitality herself...my pretty mama!

My dad giving his little namesake a comforting kiss.

My daughter does not, no way, no how, know how to receive attention.

Thus, sticking out her tongue or making less than attractive faces.

I am hopeful she grows out of this stage by the time she is of marrying age (at the very latest!). On the other hand, it would be nice to have someone around to take care of us in our old age.

Happy Easter to you and yours!

(thank you for sharing in ours).