Well I missed sharing this event remotely close to the day as well. Oh well, enjoy the glance back.

Easter was a bit rough. I had a few sick kids the week before so there was question of us going anywhere or doing anything. But we managed.

In the morning we did the usual church service. Of course the girls had to have Easter clothes and dresses. Even the boys dressed in their Sunday best to make a nice showing. The twins also helped server Easter breakfast.

Of course we took tons of dressed up pictures! The rest are at the bottom of the post! (Zander is in white)

I had a chat with the Easter bunny and this year everyone got a book with their goodies. Big smiles for everyone there.

We then had our second Easter egg hunt of the season (we did a previous one end of March). The Novak’s were invited to a larger hunt and told to bring us along. It was quite the event with lots of amazing prizes. Everyone did rather well.

After the hunt it was time to go to the Novak’s for dinner. Good food, good friends… Snoopy! It was a great day. Family isn’t always blood related. Sometimes they are friends who you couldn’t imagine living without!

And now for the rest of the family photos. (Zander is in white)

Well, you can already see pictures from Halloween HERE, as usually it was a fun time.

Neko-Chan and her Halloween prop

Echo’s wedding dress photos are HERE.

October was also Ken’s birthday… his 40th if you can believe it! We kept it low key, just as the birthday boy requested. He is not a big party animal. But he also was given an award for his hard work involved in getting his mental health under control and advocating for the association that helped him. We got to dress up and everything!

New outfit and all

It was a fun sort of duo season month with time to jump in leaves (and rake them up, slightly less fun)…

Gavin

And a bit of snow to toy with as well.

We even had TWO foreign visitors, Jeff flew down from Canada to hang out. Never a bad thing, friends and family flying down when we still can’t return ourselves.

With Jeff there is ALWAYS yummy curry.

And Karyn!!! A shorter visit than her normal yearly visit but we packed in the fun and hugs and … shopping of course!

UNO

So we may enable each other… just a little… and we like it that way!

We had our yearly pumpkin patch trip with our friend Trish and her two kids. Always fun and thankfully on a day when the weather mostly cooperated.

I am so grateful that Trish is willing to embrace our loud and crazy family.

Ken made pumpkin pie from scratch.

The twins took on acolyting at church.

We worked on all sorts of school stuff from crafts to book work and more.

We had the Novaks over for VR fun.

I continued my obsession with Neko-Chan pictures.

We had a bonfire with the Schwartz family and I got my cat fix.

I worked my buns off at the YMCA, with the family in tow, of course.

Emanuel and Trinity even got their YELLOW belts!!

And I crafted, my sanity is very closely tied to crafting it seems.

Seasonal!

Of course more images to enjoy. Fall really was pretty last year!

Face painting!

…asleep

Yes, plural! I was lucky enough to be invited to 2 baby showers this summer… one with the gender known, the other not. Shandai and Ravyn were celebrating their upcoming baby at Ravyn’s parent’s house. A new cousin for my 5! They are pumped, mainly Trinity and Echo. But, a new family member is always cause for excitement. 

I made sure to make baby something special. Though MANY of my fair pieces were also slated to go to baby. 

The other shower we were invited to was also a first baby… baby girl! Of course, as I get closer to current you will see pictures of the little darling. Darcy hosted, so of course we came early to help (it was a last minute venue move). The guys made themselves scarce until it ended and the kids had a blast outside. 

post party slouch

As with my new unknown darling, I made baby girl a little something something as well. Both sets of gifts were well received which warms this crafter’s heart. 

Anyway – keep an eye peeled for the baby pics later. Darcy has been very sweet about sharing her time with Sophia’s baby with me. 

Snoopy!

MY baby and my other baby/god son

They were just too cute together. Had to share BOTH pictures. I really love the whole Novak family, but Anthony has a special place in my heart.