Like Father, Like Son

Kaden looked at the picture of 'Pops' in the last post and said, "That's Daddy!"

Is that what I have to look forward too??

The Last Pivot

Today the Post Office retires a Legend. No more pivots, setting up routes, or crashing the mail jeep. There will be no more stories of Indian, Zimmy and Jim the Dogman. It's a new chapter. Congratulations to Pops on all his dedicated years to the P.O. We all look forward to spending more time with you!

In other news...ethan has started climbing the stairs.......trying to keep up with his brother!

He also has started drinking coffee...just like his daddy!

Busy Weekend

It was a great weekend. We started off doing a little baking.

Our friends came and we had a great time with them. This is their daughter....Kaden's newest friend.

Yesterday, we woke up and looked for our easter baskets,

went to church and then mid-afternoon headed to Melanie and Jason's for an easter dinner. It was delicious food and great company. Thank you Melanie.....we have all been staying regular from your whole wheat boston cream dessert!

The weather is beautiful today. We have already been out this morning...hitting the ball around, riding bike and of course digging in the dirt.

Easter Hope

"Very early on Sunday morning, just at sunrise, they came to the tomb. On the way they were discussing who would roll the stone away from the entrance to the tomb. But when they arrived, they looked up and saw that the stone - a very large one - had been rolled aside. So they entered the tomb, and there on the right sat a young man clothed in a white robe. The women were startled, but the angel said, "Do not be so surprised. You are looking for Jesus, the Nazarene, who was crucified. He isn't here!
HE HAS BEEN RAISED FROM THE DEAD! (Mark 16)

Hallelulia, Christ arose!

Ultimate Sacrifice

Let us not forget the meaning of Easter.

"They stripped him (Jesus) and put a scarlet robe on him. They made a crown of long, sharp thorns and put it on his head, and they placed a stick in his right hand and a scepter. Then they knelt before him in mockery, yelling, "Hail! King of the Jews!" And they spit on him and grabbed the stick and beat him on the head with it. When they were finally tired of mocking him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him again. Then they led him away to be crucified.

After they had nailed him to the cross, the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice. Then they sat around and kept guard as he hung there. A signboard was fastened to the cross above Jesus' head, announcing the charge against him. It read: "This is Jesus, the King of the Jews."

At noon, darkness fell across the whole land until three o'clock. Then, at that time Jesus called out with a loud voice, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" Then Jesus uttered another loud cry and breathed his last.

This all happened on Friday, the day of preparation, the day before the Sabbath. Joseph bought a long sheet of linen cloth, and taking Jesus' body down from the cross, he wrapped it in the cloth and laid it in a tomb that had been carved out of the rock. Then he rolled a stone in front of the entrance. Mary Magdalene and Mary, the mother of Joseph saw where Jesus' body was laid." (Matthew, Mark NLT)

Birthday Wishes

Happy Birthday Julia! I hope you have a wonderful day.

Not to much is happening here. We have friends coming to visit tomorrow, so we need to get ready for them.

Also, we will try round two of getting the boys' pictures taken. It didn't go so well the other day, so let's hope that it works better tomorrow!

Easter Celebration

Today was our annual Espenshade Easter Egg Extravaganza! It was a wonderful day filled with good food, good fun, and as always, good time with family!

Here area some of the highlights of the basket making challenge:

Donald once again showed off his wendy's bag with the scary red eyed bunny on it.

Others brought plastic bags, baskets and some paper bags.

This year we made an easter bunny float. It worked great since Ethan can't walk yet. Plus we needed it to haul around the endless amounts of eggs we collected.

Melanie, Jason and the girls counter-acted with the red corvette. Very nice.

And here everyone is at the starting line. Crystal's (Beige jacket on the right) really getting into it....7 months pregnant.

After collecting all the eggs, we gathered inside. Some of the eggs had items in them that told the Resurrection story. It was a great reminder of why we celebrate Easter.

Spring has Sprung

The weather has been so beautiful! We have been doing some yard work; clearing of leaves, planting some grass, making planters. We have started our own flowers here in the house. They are doing very well, and I can hardly wait to start planting them around the house and camp. The tulips and daffadils are sprouting through...spring is just around the corner. Yesterday, the boys and I enjoyed our snack outside.

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

Friendly Easter Competition

Happy Anniversary Chub & Hope!

Easter is right around the corner, which means, our annual Espenshade Egg Hunt will soon be under way. Tonight we will begin our top secret Easter Basket Project. Every year there is competition as to who can collect the most eggs/and make a basket to boast about for years to come. Last year, my sister-in-law, did make the best basket.....but not this year!
We will be having our Easter this sunday...so stay tuned for the details.

Fishing Fever

Well, fishing season hasn't even begun, and yet that is all I hear about these days. This weekend we went to the Bass Pro Shop and got Kaden his very own rod. Kaden got a very age appropriate one...three feet long, with a fake fish that he can reel in. Brian was looking at the 7 foot ones, with REAL hooks....could you imagine. All I can say is thank goodness I went along!!
Then yesterday we went for a sunday drive to scout the streams. It looks like Brian's going to have some good spots to fish in that aren't too far away from our house. I'm sure Kaden is going to want to go with him.....I have a feeling that I'm going to have to learn how to remove fish hooks from human flesh!

Birthdays

Birthdays are so fun its true......

Happy belated birthday to Hope (yesterday).

Happy birthday to Don today up there in Canada!

Also birthday wishes to Janice (tomorrow).

I hope you all have great birthdays!

A worm a day

Yesterday, Kaden and I spent the morning outside before the rains came. It was prime time for digging earthworms. In all we got about two dozen. Kaden had a good time loading them into the back of his dump truck and taking them for a ride.
Ethan is also on the move these days....crawling everywhere, and getting into all of Kaden's stuff. He watches his big brother like a hawk. I can tell already that his wheels are turning...together they are going to be very mischevious!

A First for Everything

So this is my attempt for you, our family and friends to stay connected to our very 'normal' life.
Every day we wake, we eat, we play. Sometimes we go for walks, watch a favorite show and always have a snack!
A day never passes without laundry, without laughter and without love.
I look forward to sharing our journey with you.