Easter with Ann ~ Apr.18th-22nd

The real highlight of this year's week surrounding Easter was a nine-day visit from my sister Ann, coming from Winnipeg to spend time with Dad during his hospitalization. We spent most of our visiting time in hospital, but thankfully it feels like I see Ann often because we have great phone calls together.

 Dad's personal ray of sunshine, Ann was able to give him a lot of TLC
 while enjoying some great times of reminiscing and reflection together.

 With her similar sense of humour as Dad, he and the nursing staff
 totally enjoyed Ann's contribution to Easter dinner!

Easter Monday was our time to have Ann to ourselves, as she has quite a round of loving friends and extended family that enjoy her as well. We especially wanted to celebrate her recent birthday from Saturday.

Picking up where I left off the last blog entry.... it was time for my nieces to join the chocolate frenzy. With too many mini-chocolate eggs hidden in the greenspace I figured the rabbits would enjoy the ones they may not find. (And they or the birds did find some later, as evidenced by the scraps of wrapper left behind.)

 Kieren is always enthusiastic~

 Nora holds her own in keeping up with the big kids.

 I'm glad that no one is too old for this yet...

 ... but with chocolate involved, I would be there in a minute if no one was looking.

 When in doubt, use a rake...

 Kailey is getting so tall!

 The prize, which in the end I hid from her.

 Charles and girlfriend Margarita, always nice to see together.

 Kellie and Scott~ he comes through for me with preparing
our meal, once again. (With help from Costco.) Love this guy!

 Sadly, this is more my cooking style~

Birthday time for Ann ~ it was so gracious of her family to allow her to be away to spend her special day with us.

 The Newsham gathering, minus Dad, but we were surely thinking of him.

 So many choices~

 Always near the desserts!

 Everything seems better when we're together.

 And this makes it even better. I hope when we're retired we can all live
 close by and reminisce. Rob and Ann remember all the stories, so I won't
 want them too far from me. Wish life was less busy. :(

Ann's last night with us, we all trickled into Dad's hospital room, hanging out during his dressing change! The RN was most obliging in taking a family photo. We won't be together again until August, when Ann and her family will be visiting. Looking forward to that already, especially because in real time that is less than 2 weeks now. :) Time flies when you get behind on blogging... Thanks for your visit Ann.

 The best slice of life, sweetness in a happy loving family.

 Ann keeps her camera nearby... trying to update Dad on his blog.

 It's our only way to show him the wacky comics I've found.
No matter what, Dad is the happiest patient I've ever seen.

 Guess I'll never be a real writer... my family is too nice. :)

Easter fun, Part 1 ~ Apr. 19th-21st

This is awhile ago now, but it was a lovely Easter weekend (when I wasn't working). Nora started it off with a sweet visit from Auntie Darlene, who has such a kind way of celebrating the best of childhood. In this case, many delicious treats which was especially appreciated by this overworked mother at the time. :)

Nora and I also enjoyed celebrating Darlene's belated birthday... with a spontaneous sushi lunch out prior to my evening shift. Typical girls, all three of us, we enjoyed the new fashion accessories. :)

Saturday evening, the Karpiuks gathered for a delicious Easter dinner, which even though I missed it, I did appreciate their time to gather as family as I was not able to host it.

 I heard it was very delicious, as usual! Two cooks in the kitchen...

 Auntie Charlene is always helpful in answering Nora's many questions.

 An interesting photo courtesy of Scott.

 Nora is still working on being respectful to furniture. :)

Blessed with a beautiful Easter morning, we accomplished one goal of taking Easter photos of Nora prior to leaving for church. It is nice that she generally enjoys getting dressed up and picking out shoes to match. (Not that this is what Sundays or Holy-days are all about, but it helps emphasize their special-ness, and our desire to give God our best on the outside and especially the inside, as we celebrate all that He has done for us.)

 Didn't plan to have Scott coordinate so well!

The family had a quiet afternoon the rest of Sunday, as I finished up my last evening shift... Easter Monday would be our time for fun. This year Thomas and Lewis took on the task of a 10 clue Easter hunt for Nora. It's funny how the same spots are traditionally used...

 Under the recliner's pillow has often been found various treasures long forgotten.

 The dryer has typically held the actual cache...

 Trying to remember the order of the clues?

 It was really fun to watch Nora's excitement, where's it more about the process.

Big brothers can certainly be sweet when they want to be ~ those are the times you wish could last forever, or at least thirty minutes!

 Doll clothes for Calin-Yang.

 Now, a belated Happy Easter!