A very special day........

On Sunday April 21 the kids were baptized.  This was such an amazing and special day for our family.  What made it even more special was that all of our friends and family were there to help us celebrate.  Mom and Dad had come up for the weekend along with my sister and Chris.  So great to have their grandparents and God parents present.

 All dressed and looking spectacular!

 We were so happy to have mom and dad there!

After the church service we had an "baptism" luncheon at the house.  I really wanted to thank everyone for coming and everyone knows I love to host an event where I can cook.  Not only did my parents, and sis come we had friends, neighbors, former neighbors attend.  Our pastor was so excited that we packed the sanctuary he asked me if I "could muster up some more baptisms every week."  He loved the crowd.

  As the kids opened the gifts from everybody I couldn't help but get emotional.  Like I said Sunday afternoon to a house full of people, living in Oklahoma we have no family here, then on days like Sunday I am reminded that we in fact DO have family here......so many friends that are like family to Paul, me and the kids.  We are truly thankful for and feel very blessed to have so many people in our lives that care about us.

My friend Rachael is a photographer and she took beautiful pictures during and after the ceremony, as soon as I get my hands on them I will put them on my blog.

My Easter Peeps........without the gooey marshmallow

Sometimes I feel so blessed that I cannot put it into words.  

Easter Service was followed by an afternoon of relaxation with the kiddos and a delicious dinner.

It was a very special Easter for the Lucas family. 

Easter Saturday

Saturday was a big day at my house.  It started with a neighborhood Easter Egg hunt and ended with Paul and I being confirmed at the Vigil of Easter Service at church.  Special memories all the way around.

 

It was a fantastic Easter Egg hunt despite the stormy weather the night before.  Everything was a little damp thus all of the rainboots.

 For the last nine weeks Paul and I did something we have never done before.  We took a class together.  The class required some commitment and we couldn't have done it without our dear friends who would take turns watching our kids for us every Tuesday night.  We made the decision to learn more about the Lutheran faith then to become members of Holy Trinity.  This was a special decision and meant quite a lot to Paul and I.

 After the service Saturday night our Pastor and  other church members had a nice reception for us complete with cookies, punch and beautiful gifts for us.  It was a wonderful experience.

Day 3

Saturday was our last full day in Red River.  The guys wanted to "shred it up" on the blacks and the kids wanted to "play" and Tina and I wanted a day to relax and not put ski boots and skis on children.

So it was a win/win for everybody.

 Paul and Paul about to "shred it up!"

 Trying to walk down the street with these 4 was quite challenging at times.  They could not resist playing in the snow.

 Lunch at a local place .........

We ended the afternoon just letting the kids "play" at the park. By "play" I mean build snow forts then attack each other with giant snowballs.

After the snow play we found ourselves at the souvineer shops buying overpriced "Red River" t-shirts.  They were "must-haves!"

On the slopes Day 2

Day 2 was just as fun.  We all headed out together at the same time.  We already had our boots and skis so that made everything a little easier.  Em decided that she only wanted to do a half day of ski school and since it was her vacation too I didn't have the heart to keep her in there all day.  I skied a half day too than her and I hung out for the afternoon.

Here is Tyson carrying his skis from the little hill up to the lift.

He wanted to show us he could ride the lift ll by himself.

 Emmy working on her pizza.

Em got really good at riding the magic carpet all by herself.

Em and I called it quits around 1 and headed back to the cabin to get warm and relax.  We took some pictures of the inside because Em "was afraid she might forget what it looked like after we left."

When everyone else got home it was time to play outside again and explore the area around the cabin and again look for more deer.

 And we found one.  And he LOVED carrots!!!

 The snow was so deep right behind the cabin.  We almost lost Emmy.

Nothing like little Kindle-jammy time after skiing.