Easter Sunday

Easter Sunday morning we awoke to 5 inches of freshly fallen snow.  It was April Fools Day but that snow was no joke!  (We also went on to have snow the following Sunday, as well...)

However, nothing dampened our spirits!  We were so happy to head to church for Easter Sunday services.  Hallelujah!  Christ is risen!

Jonathan, Marvin, Laura

Daddy, Jonathan, Mama, Marvin, Laura, Hannah

Daddy, Jonathan, Mama, Marvin, Laura, Hannah

After church we went to Julie's house for a big Easter meal with family and friends.  But first... Brenda had a long planned revenge for Jackson.  Since it was the first day of the month, that meant it was time for the M family white rabbit game. Whoever says white rabbit to the rest of their family on the first day of each month wins.  And trust me... these folks take this competition seriously!!!  Brenda has been waiting to get Jackson ever since he beat them all to white rabbit on the first day of the year (2017).  (that is even bigger than the first day of the month!)  :)  Soooo... Brenda had us all ready and waiting to yell WHITE RABBIT as soon as Jackson walked in the door.  :D  (one of the funniest things for me is the look on Cody's face... he just walked in behind Jackson and has absolutely NO IDEA what is going on!)  :D

Pooja, Anisha, Hannah, and Matt

Brianna, Jackson, Melina, Brenda

Mama, Jeremy, Marvin, Jonathan, Cody

Abdala, Alaina, Stu, Daddy, Mama

Julie, Shonda, Matthew, Anna

Laura and Matt

tired of snow... but at least this was pretty 

ridiculous!  :) 5 inches of snow!  

Melina had an assignment to make a loaf of specialty homemade bread for one of her classes.  Julie pulled out her famous orange braid bread recipe and Melina got to work.  Of course, I documented the adventure.  :)

Melina grating the nutmeg

this group got busy playing several rounds of spoons

Melina and Jonathan 

still working!  

Julie guiding her on the kneading process

Anisha, Pooja, Hannah, Brenda, Matthew, Jackson, Brianna

Pooja and Anisha

Melina with the finished product!
Orange braid bread
(I'll share the recipe here on the blog soon)

heading home

ugh

 That night the sunset was stunning over the snowfall.

Jackson took this photo (below) that same night... it is one of my new favorites!

Red Barn Festival

It was perfect weather for the Red Barn Arts Festival on October 1.  Downtown was bustling and as always, I enjoyed the opportunity to visit with many dear people.  First up, Shonda and Jackson.  Jackson even tucked his jeans into his boots in honor of Shonda's snazzy look.  :D  hahaha!

And here is the second try for the photo.  :)

Jackson and Laura  

We gathered at noon to hear Minor Detail perform.  Brianna is co-director of the group this year.  So proud of her!  Shonda's parents, Peggie and Earl, were up for the weekend so got to see the group perform.  I always enjoy visiting with them.

What a lineup!  Jackson, Cody, Jeremy and Earl

I was so excited when I found out that my friend from high school was coming up to visit her daughter at Truman that weekend.  We arranged to meet up at Red Barn.  Although it was a short visit, we had a great time!

Laura, Tammy, and Lexy

Minor Detail performing at Red Barn Festival

Catching a glimpse of Brianna on the back row.  :D

Saw these dear ladies across the way during the Minor Detail performance!
Megan, Brenda, and Bonnie

Love this dear girl.

Here they come skipping across after the performance

:D

Melina 'winning' with her White Rabbit t-shirt on
the 1st day of the month...

White Rabbit is a long held M family contest that is hard to explain...
but just know that Melina definitely won on that day!  :D 

Shonda, Laura, Earl, Peggie, Jackson, Brianna, Bonnie, Nick, Brenda, Melina, and Megan

Megan and Nick taking advantage of the music to dance a bit.  :)

Matthew and Anna