Some people spend Easter afternoon visiting, taking a nap, playing tennis, watching television... Me? I took an hour nap and then I was excited to get to this post.... it's my relaxation... except when a few people beg me to hurry up and do it! It's my blog, it's my thoughts, and it's perfect because I get to say everything the way I see it!
Jack is spending the day with us. KB and Mark picked him up early this morning and he gets to be on this crazy journey of a day with us. I hope he doesn't mind a silly lady with a camera in his face because he has been asked lots of times today to smile.
And what would my pictures be without unposed, quick shots of the happiness of two children who I'm lucky to call mine. I'm so glad their lives aren't perfect, they learn lessons each day, and they know that life goes on....
Too much cuteness in my opinion... but they are mine... so I can say that!
So... KB is the only one who can smile and not squint... we never have a good family picture... why would today be any different.
Sweet Huddy.... he was so excited about Easter and all the details... I could eat him up.... he has my heart too.... so precious.
The real McKinneys... I could just post the ones that are good, but the struggle is real... it takes 1,000s of pictures to get one good one... and sometimes... we just stop and move on... it wasn't meant to be... I can always rely on him to be the clown... always....
No one would ever notice the tight grip that he has on his sister's shoulder... you could call it love if you wanted... or you could call it meanness... I know the real answer... make your own judgment... and as I have told them over the last few weeks... when Daddy and I aren't here... you will have each other... learn to get along now and life will be so much easier.
These two... I couldn't have gone to God myself and described Guille and gotten two children who are so much like him that it is scary.... He is in both of them and it makes me giggle to see it come out in them EVERY day....
The Guil Mattison Family... the ones who hate to see me coming with the camera... the ones who will look back and say thank you one day.... the ones who know that Aunt B will always take care of them!
Emmie and Veve.... I can't say how much I love these two... Each is special in their own way to me... One like a sister I never had, and one like an extra mama....
Mayonnaise.... when I was taking this picture today, I couldn't help but be thankful that he was still in this picture.... we are so lucky... I'm glad things are getting back to normal... and I'm really glad he was here to help cook our lunch!
So much personality in this picture... Huddy has a mind of his own... he decided to pose like this... and I LOVE IT!
Wow... Butch is back.... he didn't make it Christmas and it wasn't the same... I'm so glad he is doing better... He is returning to his old self and who knew he would ever be able to walk back down to the fence without falling! And Mama.... I'm thinking she is deciding whether to throw him forward in the rocking chair... she could have easily... just kidding.... they are lucky... real lucky.... for several reasons... three children and six grandchildren...
The two who didn't grow up here as babies... the two who call her to bring them ice cream.... the two who know Butchie will pick them up and take them wherever they want to go... the two who worry and hope each day that these two will slow down and enjoy life!
The three who they raised... we are lucky that we had parents who were very honest, too honest with us... told us the truth... even when it hurt... told us what we should and shouldn't do... told us what we would and wouldn't do... told us decisions to make without any choices... and how grateful I am that I was led that way.... by the way... at 44... I still get told what to do, how to do it, and what decisions to make... but it's okay.... I wouldn't want it any other way.
These two are the milkshake boys... doesn't matter how long it's been since we have eaten at her house... they want a milkshake... and she makes it!
This family is the family they love the best... I know they love me more than the boys.... Mark knows they love him more than Christie and Janice... and of course...if this was their blog... they would write the exact same thing... they love us all... equally... and treat us the same... even when we don't always deserve it!
The Rusty Spratlin family! I really got on their nerves today.... James wouldn't even smile at me.... but he knows I love him anyway!
And we couldn't leave out Liz! So pretty, so sweet, and a great addition to the family.
The Marcus Spratlin family... Marcus probably dislikes me as much as James, but this picture is great! He will be so happy one day to look back and see how pretty his family is!
Lollie and Johnny.... Even Johnny didn't mind sitting in the chair today!
Nana's girls..... she would be so proud of you two! Beautiful, smart, and sweet....
and throw in Sis and it just makes my heart even bigger!
All the children.... under 35 was the rule... even Huddy did great for this one!
Jack and KB AGAIN....
These three have been playing together since diapers.... a little bigger now, a little less hair, a little more grey... but the bond is still there...
Huddy did our blessing today.... Mayonnaise is passing on the tradition to the sweetest little prayer!
Ju and Janice eating lunch... Ju has Mama's sweet tooth... cupcakes for lunch?
And we don't hide eggs.... we play baseball.... too big for eggs I guess? We decided as we were getting the car that next year each family is going to bring eggs with $20 in various forms of bills and coins and we are all going to hunt! Anyone else want to join us for the money eggs?
Baseball isn't just for the little boys!
We needed a few more for a game...
And since we don't hide eggs... we might fish... these two are just like their daddies... been playing together since diapers...
My favorite picture of the day... Boo-ma's birthday was yesterday... there isn't a day that goes by that I don't think of her... I sound like her often... in her words " Ju, your shorts are too short, and KB your jeans are too tight"... She was honest... would have come right out and told them.... she did it to Leah, Bobbie, and me... I think it's only fair that these two experience what we did! She would be so proud of you two beauties... pretty on the outside... and just mean enough on the inside not to let anyone run over you!
And if you don't catch a fish.... it might be a turtle... ugh...
Him is my heart too.... He was the first boy... the first grandchild... He was my baby doll.... We are going to put some milk on his chin and let the cat lick the hair off.... ~that's what Daddy says~ I can't help but laugh as I see that patch on his face in this picture.
And some of us relax... and just chat... in the sun...
The Jim Mattison family.... I'm thinking Jim needs to go get his "hair did"... dyed... his isn't matching theirs... maybe they made his hair that way... just teasing... he sure did make some good chicken, and good sauce... and a good place to make memories that will last forever...
These two... the two who call them with any and everything they want and need...
And who couldn't smile surrounded by this? We know we are lucky to have a close-knit family... and I don't take it for granted... My heart is full today... for many reasons... but mainly... my heart is full for the love that I see in this pictures...and the celebration of Jesus... because I know when one or more are missing from our gatherings... we will see them again... and in that... I find comfort.
*I have just been summoned to the tennis courts... no time to proofread... but I'm hitting publish anyway... I'll fix errors later.
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