Feast Day Fun: Good Friday/Holy Saturday

While Mom worked (and snuck away at lunch hour to do Stations), Dad took the kids to the Good Friday service.  We TRIED to watch the "Passion of the Christ" on the evening of Good Friday, but our copy apparently is so old and scratched, it refused to play.  Good intentions, good intentions.  We fell asleep instead.

It's our tradition to make Paschal Candles on Holy Saturday, and light them as we await the resurrection (not ALL night.  We are adverse to house fires.  But still....).  Reagan is our resident Paschal Candle expert, and she did a lovely job this year!

Miscellaneous Dad and Pet picture

Feast Day Fun: Maundy Thursday

We spent Holy Thursday this year with our good friends, the Sommervilles, who hosted a lovely Seder.  Renata does such a nice job with this meal, and it always brings home the significance of the Last Supper SO MUCH.  What a great way to kick off the Triduum!

Spring Break Mini Trip

Our REAL trip will take place in a few weeks, so this one-day "run to Marquette for a doctor's appointment" wasn't really "spring break" for us, but we at least got out of town and went to a restaurant, so it counts.  Besides, there's still much too much snow on the ground to feel like spring anyway.

Reagan had her allergies tested.  And yes.  She's allergic.  Very.  To dustmites, Timothy grass, and dogs.  We're not about to give up our Gunner, so allergy shots start in the very near future!

Getting Ready for Easter

Welcome to Holy Week!  Today, we made our chocolate-peanut butter eggs, and colored the traditional type of Easter eggs, which is just as messy and miserable a proposition as when the boys were 4 years old.  Seriously.  I like having the colored eggs, but I LOATHE the process.  As I ran around frantically trying to keep egg dye from staining tables/floors/clothes, the boys went all "mad genius" on one egg each, and then, mercifully left the premises.  Then Reagan and I colored the rest of the 2 dozen eggs in an orderly and neat fashion.  UGH.  I want the memories.  I want the eggs.  But after 13 years, do I still have to have the MESS?!?!?!!

Because we live in the U.P., it snowed for the first time in March during Spring Break.  That's about right.

Feast Day Fun: Palm Sunday!!

During the parish breakfast this morning, a friend taught the kids all about the happenings of holy week by having them build Old Jerusalem out of blocks, and play with peg dolls of all the characters.  It was very cool, and the kids definitely enjoyed it!!

Rob was narrator for the Passion Reading at Mass and did a fabulous job (didn't cry ONCE.  I could never get through that without crying), and the kids served.  And then, for dessert after dinner tonight, we had "palm sundaes".  HA!  With chocolate chips to remind us of the rocky road Jesus road in on, and crème-de-menthe to remind us of the palms laid down on that road.  And little palm trees made of pretzel sticks and mint leaves.  Needless to say, the kids were fans of any feast that ends with dessert.

Chassell Bay Fly-In

Rob hosted the first annual Chassell-Bay Fly-In!  They had five planes land on the lake, and barbecued on this beautiful spring day.

Saturdays....

Lately, our Saturdays have seen Rob flying, Quinn and Colby at the ski-hill, Reagan at a friend's house, which means the mama... has time to herself!  WHAT THE WHAT?!?!  This past Saturday I went snow-shoeing with friends, which was amazing.  Then, I picked up little girl, and we painted some pottery, and got "bubblers" at our local toy store/coffee shop, before picking the boys up at the hill.  I could get used to Saturdays like these :)

Living Stations of the Cross

The faith formation students put on a living Stations of the Cross.  It is amazing how a bunch of rambunctious, energetic children can transform into the solemn participants of the greatest story ever told.  But they do.  Somehow.  I'm sure I was not the only one moved to tears.  And my great hope is that, by participating in these Stations, these children learn the story in such a way that they will know it intimately forever.