Easter Sunday

Typically, I am on the ball and the Easter Bunny comes on Saturday morning. (I like to keep the Worldly Easter and the Sabbath Easter separate) I had to email the Bunny this year because Saturday was just a little to crazy for us.  I knew I wanted the kids to enjoy their baskets.  Our Saturday on Easter Weekend was really full with photography, golf, birthday parties, and baseball.  It was too much for the Easter Bunny to come also.  Thankfully, he received my email and it worked for him to come on Sunday this year.

Isaac was the first one up.  I was already in the kitchen, when he walked out and said, “where is that thing from the egg man?”  I laughed and laughed.  The Easter bunny typically just brings treats for the kids.  I love that Easter bunny.  I love consumable gifts.  He is one smart bunny.

After they sugared themselves up for breakfast, we got all dolled up for church.  I typically put a lot of effort in to what the girls will wear for Easter.  I usually just get a new tie or something for the boys.  I never have enough money for everyone to get something new.  This year, Krysta passed on a dress from Kaylee, and Tess wore one that I had for Stella.  That meant I could put a little more effort in to the boys.  I knew I had to get these vests when I saw them.  Luckily, they went on sale, and then a day later I got a 40% off coupon in my inbox.  I love a good deal.  Don’t they look handsome?

Church was wonderful.  We had a spirit-filled Sunday.  I was able to talk the primary(children’s church) about the Resurrection and what it means for us.  I reminded the kids that it is sad that Jesus died, but the good news is that he lives.  He was resurrected.  Isaac’s teacher taught the same thing again once he went to his Sunbeam class.  On our way home from church he told us the whole story.  This is it in Isaac’s words:

“Mom, Jesus died.  The soldiers put him on a cross.  I am going to die someday too, but I don’t have to die like Jesus did on a cross.”  I said “I know, that is so sad, but what is the good news of the whole story?”  Isaac said, “he lives.”  I was so happy to know that he understood why we celebrate Easter. I am always so thankful to those who help us teach our children gospel principles.  One of the primary children asked me why we eat candy on Easter if we are celebrating the resurrection.  One of the primary teachers responded, “because the resurrection is so sweet.”  And it is; I am grateful that the Savior died for me so that I may live with him again.

After church, we quickly changed and headed out to Hot Springs.  Our friends the Baileys and Andersons invited us out to their parents house for Easter dinner and an egg hunt.  I told Pam and Marji that there mom must be crazy to invite our family, and add 6 more to their Easter celebration.  I know it isn’t easy to include a large family like ours, but it was really sweet.

Dinner was awesome.  It all tasted so delicious.  It is nice when a meal comes together when every one brings something to share.

The kids couldn’t wait to get to the hunt.  The daddy’s hid all the eggs, and then we let them go for it.  The little kids hunted first, and then the older ones.  It was fun watching the older kids race around the yard looking for eggs. 

We had such a nice Easter.  It was so wonderful to be included with the DeVaux family. 

Easter Scrapbook pages

Keep going; one more Easter post.

{Easter Eggs}

Now that I finally have my Photography blog up and running(thank you for all your support, btw), and my Project 365 blog done; I can finally catch up on the happenings of J and A and Co.

I always feel overwhelmed Easter Weekend.  There are so many little Easter traditions, and for some reason I always felt like I had to cram them all in.  Last year, I told myself that I was not going to do that again and somehow; I actually remembered.

We started a new tradition, and set aside some time to color Easter Eggs after church the Sunday before Easter.  It made all the difference in the world.

 

We were able to enjoy it.  The kids took their time because we didn’t have the tradition of egg finding to get to.  We were just able to take it easy.  They didn’t ever get wound up thinking about what we were going to do next.  Hyperactive children, and colored dye just don’t go well together.  I am proud to say it was one of our less stressful egg dying experiences. I didn’t even have to break out the stain remover this year.

Tessa even thought it was really fun.  She had no clue what we were doing, but she is always willing to go right along with her siblings.

 

 

This year I hard-boiled some eggs, and I blew the yolk out  of some.  We were able to save the eggs that were hollow, and we will use them in our decorating next year.  I think the kids will enjoy seeing them when I pull them out in 2012.

 

I hope you had a great Easter, and that you were able to uphold your family traditions.

{More Easter Pictures to come}

2011 Easter Egg Scrapbook Pages

My Surprise…only a day late.

I know I promised that I would share a big surprise yesterday.  Once again, my life did what it always does; keeps on going.  It just never slows down, and my plans had to change a bit yesterday.  I had to decide what I could let go, and unfortunately my surprise was it.

But… I am ready today.  I have been working on this for a few weeks now.  This is the whole reason J and A and Co. has been non-existent for a little while.  I wanted to make sure that it was perfect, and that I was ready.

I am ready… I think.  This is a little scary for me, but I am confident and proud of myself.

I am ready to launch my own Photography site and really get my business underway.

After a few years of getting my feet wet, and then slowly starting my business last fall; I am now official.

Click logo to take you there.

Exciting huh!

I have worked so hard at getting it just right.  Countless hours of uploading all my past work.  Please take the time to browse my photography blog, and share it with your friends.  It would mean so much to me. 

I would love you even more  if you became a follower.  The link is at the bottom of the page.

I would love you even more then that if you added Andrea Swenson Photography to your own blog; as a blog you enjoy reading.

If you see something you like don’t hesitate to contact me and make an appointment.

I have been so busy over the last few weeks that I have lots of images to share.  Please keep checking back as I upload more of my recent photography shoots. 

Thank you for all your support.

Blogging friends are awesome.

A few of my favorite things.

1.  A easy light-hearted romance

I love good books.  I recently shared a book that I had read called, “The Trait.”  If you are looking for a light interesting read then this book is for you.

The Author Kristin Damon, is so creative, and you won’t be disappointed.

The trait is an exciting love story about a beautiful girl named Brynn Moore.  Brynn isolates herself from love, but when she finally finds the right person she discovers that Creed is unlike any other man she has ever met.  Creed was born with a genetic abnormality that could get in the way of Brynn and Creed having a life together.  When their love is threatened by hate you wonder if their love can survive. 

This book is the first in a series of four.

The Trait

The Promise (to be released soon)

The Nation

The Evolution

I enjoyed this book, and would recommend giving it a try.  Go here to find out more information.{click on the trailer to see even more}

Kristin is a dear friend of my Sister in Law, and I would like to tell her thank you for sharing your story with me.  Good Luck with the rest of your books.

 

2. A  great mother’s day idea

I just discovered this adorable jewelry that my new friend, Joella designs.  If you are looking for a mother’s day present; this is it.  It is so unique and beautiful; as is Joella.  She is such an amazing person with a lot of creativity.

Click on the picture to take you there.

 

3.  Surprises.

I am sure you are all asking where I have been this last week.  Well, I have been working on a little surprise.  I will have it all ready on Monday, so come on back to check it out.

Up To…

I have finally been catching up on my posts.  I am happy to have reconnected with my computer some.

I made a promise to myself last week that I was going to get back to the basics.  I have  settled in after a few crazy weeks, and feel like I finally have my life back.

What have I been up to?

This week my parents challenged me to read the Book of Mormon in 100 days.  I started with the goal Monday, and also challenged myself to 100 days of eating healthy and exercise.  I hope to improve my spiritual strength as well as my physical.

When those two things are in order I feel so much better.  It is almost as if the Lord gives me 5 more hours in my day; if I simply make time for him in mine.  This week has been wonderful.  I have felt more at peace and less rushed then I have in a long time.  … and I am happy which is always a good thing for me and everyone who lives in my house.

I have also made time for a few of my other favorite things.

A little Easter decorating:

I colored these eggs 8 years ago for Easter with my friend Elizabeth.  We blew out the yolk, cleaned them real good, and then colored them.  I have been able to keep them all this time. They are real eggs.  You can see the little holes in them where the yolk came out.  This was such a fun project, and I have loved being able to use them every year.   I miss you Eliza!!

 

I bought more eggs yesterday, and I am going to do this with the kids.  I want to save them so they can see their eggs each year.

 

 

A little photography:

This is just a sneak peak.  I will share more of my favorites later.

Some light reading:

I have been reading so much lately.  I first read a book that my Sister In Law’s BFF wrote.  It is called The Trait.  I will write more about  it in a few days.  I want to review it a little.  So stay tuned for more about The Trait.  It was a great relaxing read.   It is the first of four in a series to come.  It reminded me very much of Twilight.  I love reading books that just shut down my mind for a while.  I don’t like to read anything that makes me think to hard.  The Trait was just that kind of book.  Very relaxing, but exciting all at the same time.  Great book, Kristie.  I can’t wait for number 2.

Then I read a book for book club which was so terrible and sad that I would never recommend it to anyone.  I won’t even share the title.  It was so dark and depressing.  I hate when I get engrossed in a book that I think is going to be a good read, and then it takes a turn right in the middle that leaves you wanting to know how it ends but also mad that you even want to continue on with it because it is such a horrible story. I was ready for a new book that I could enjoy.

I started The Hunger Games, and I am on book 3 already.  It is such a fun series.

I love reading so much, and would much rather be engrossed in a good book then watching television.

Of course there is always time for A little entertainment:

Especially when a cute guy in tight jeans is involved.

I was able to go to the Kenny Chesney concert with some girlfriends.

Picture taken on My IPhone.

 

We were nine rows up on the side of the stage.  Marji just kept walking to our seats, and I could not believe it.  I kept expecting her to stop, when we got to the ninth row I just wanted to SCREAM!! Well I did scream.  I did plenty of screaming, and singing, and dancing.  I even had to take my boots off because my feet started to hurt so bad. 

It was such a fun night.  A much needed night.  I enjoyed just hanging out with the girls.  I also loved every minute of Kenny’s performance.  He puts on a great show.

Speaking of boots…

Do you want to see my new boots? 

My sweet hubby bought me these.  While we were in Kansas we went to the boot store to return a pair that he had bought and get a different style.  We ended up with boots for me instead.  He is always making sacrifices.  I am in Love with them.  They are so fun to wear with Jeans.

Thanks hubby!!

Do Ya’ll feel like life just gets busier and busier?  I do.  I am trying to slow down a little and take it easy, but I also want to have some fun along the way. 

Balance is so important.  My challenge of reading the scriptures, and healthy living is really helping me keep every thing else in check.

…and that is what I have been up to.  A little random, but I am random.

What have you been up to these days?