Melted chocolate bunnies and empty plastic eggs...

... were all that remained of this Easter holiday spent at Faith and Gary Hoffman's house (my mom and step dad). I always enjoy the holidays. Maybe it's having most of the people I love all in one place. (To have them all, yes- you included, would be a dream come true.)

For the Easter pics, I tried something new... putting all my pictures in one jpeg. Its easier to upload but the pics seem so tiny. Sorry for all of you optically challenged. This blog thing is a work in progress for sure. The top picture is the girls Easter tea table that Corinne and I designed. The girls definitely benefit from Mom's business. This was our take on a county spring time tea. Little blue and white polka dot napkins. Yellow bubble gum eggs in white porcelain egg cups. It was adorable and made me want to be a "little princess" again so that I could fit in their chairs and have "tea" right along with them.

The next picture (left) is Nanna- the family dog. Her whole name (why my mother let the kids name her dog is beyond me) is "Nanna Anne Queen of England Hoffman." Not very diplomatic but it worked for them. Nanna- as we all call her, enjoyed chasing the kids and "hoovering" their scraps. Makes me almost wish I had a dog.

Next is Celie and her fabulous hula-hoop trickery. She spent a better part of 3 hours perfecting this trick and making sure everyone was watching every subtle nuance. "Hey, watch as I spin it around my neck and lift my arm." "Watch as I spin it around my neck to the left." "Watch as I spin it around my neck to the right." "Watch as I spin it around my neck with my eyes closed." "Watch a s I spin it around my neck and smile." "Are you watching?" Lol. That's Celie. Always in a state of perpetual motion. I think her nic name should be blur.

Below Nanna is Alyssa. She always seems to take the sweetest pictures. I guess she saves all her sweetness for film. ;) Because every other time she is ms sassy-pants. She is beginning to trod in her big sister's footsteps with a wee it less melodrama. Its with pictures like this one that remind me of my tiny bug-a-buddy from yester-years.

Below Alyssa is Miranda and Jonathan. They had fun running around being kids and eating. They both have a passion for sneaking as many desserts as they possibly can in on one holiday. They are even in cahoots and use each other to get away with more brownies an rice crispy treats than one should ever possibly stomach in a day's time. Funny, they think I don't notice.

The little feet are Miranda's. She insisted on the frilly white socks with open toed sandals. Drove me bonkers, but in the end I had to snap a picture. Definitely one for the baby books. I sound like a seasoned mother now. How often I catch myself saying, "Gosh- it just goes by all too fast!"

Lastly, is a picture of my Grandfather and I. In a phrase, I adore him. Yet, that phrase doesn't even sum it up well. Its been a rough year for him without my grandmother. Her passing was just a few weeks before Easter and Easter was always her favorite holiday. So this Easter, like the last, had a tinge of sadness. We all miss her but no one as much as Grandpa. I was just excited to be able to take a picture without him flipping off the camera. lol. You'd have to know him to understand how that is just a part of his English wit and devilish charm.

Easter in the Country

A spring picnic

... at O'Neil park was just what the weather ordered. So after our easter egg hunt, I set a picnic for Grandma Faith, Grandpa Gary and the Hansens.

The Menu: Ice cold Lemonade, Croissant Sandwiches, Chicken Bow tie Pasta salad and fruit. Don't forget the brownies for dessert.

A little country living.

Jonathan takes an after lunch siesta

Alyssa warms herself in the sun

And lastly, a catnap in the warm California sun for me. One of my favorite self-indulgent past times.

It has been said that I am Wonder Woman....

... but this past weeekend I was. Along with Batman & Superman- I made a certain 3 year old in Yorba Linda a very happy birthday boy. No joke. I have never claimed to be normal. Now I have proof that I am not . I take solace in the fact that abnormality runs in the family. Below is my brother. He's my Batman when I need it.























Once you get past the whole looking like a complete idiot deal, this costume and wig can be fun.

























The fact that the pecs and chisled abs are built into the costume make me laugh so hard I snort.

So much happens in a year.....

....it just amazes me how time seems to whiz by. Today marks the one year anniversary of the passing of my Grandmother Grace.
Its almost surreal to me that these pictures, my memories and her life-lessons are all that remain of the beautiful & lively woman I love so very much.

As you can see by the pictures, she cherished her very large and close knit family (who still remain so to this day)
Its so important to me to know that her wisdom and her memory will live on in the hearts of those she buried it in. My grandfather asked me to write a speech, honoring my grandmother, to be given at my Brother's wedding rehearsal dinner. It seems appropriate to include here:

Grandma’s Silent Wisdom

George Bernard Shaw once said, “There are two sources of unhappiness in life. One is not getting what you want; the other is getting it.” Humanity as a whole has been on a relentless quest for happiness. There are endless answers to the age old question: “What is the meaning of life?” Popular media- television, print,
tell us that happiness is in things- acquiring possessions. The “more mentality” beckons us- especially during the holidays”: Jewelry adored models and packages wrapped in glittering bows shout above the silver bells, “More money, more toys- bigger is better and more is best!”
In her silent, chardonnay-sipping wisdom, my grandmother always told me life is not about the quest for happiness. For happiness in its very nature is elusive and can be as fickle as fate. Happiness is external, but joy, true joy can never be taken away. Joy, when found in the Lord is as unchanging as he is- “the same yesterday and today and forever.”
Sometimes happiness and joy commingle. Tonight and tomorrow for example, when you two say your marriage vows to each other surrounded by family and friends, you are deeply joyous and very happy. It’s so easy, when joy and happiness join hands- when everything is so right- to be thankful. Praise to God flows so naturally.
But the reality of life is: good times do not last forever-…….: When times get hard (and they will…..). When nothing seems to be going your way - (It often doesn’t). The enemies of joy, worry and anxiety begin to creep in, so eagerly trying to rob you of the joy you have cherished so much. This is where Grandma’s silent wisdom really comes to good use. (It may not be coming from her mouth at this moment but know this came directly from her heart)…,

Remember…..
Do not be anxious about anything but in everything Pray.
Remember…
Every circumstance, good and bad has already passed before God’s almighty throne. He knows the plans he has for you and they are good.
Remember…

You can rejoice and give thanks that the following will always be true:
Your sins are forgiven. You have been given the holy spirit to guide, encourage, comfort and empower you and lastly, you know you are moving toward the ultimate party, the party of a lifetime where you’ve sent in your rsvp, your name is on the list and God, the gracious host, along with our beloved family and friends are smiling and awaiting your arrival to remain forever in heaven.

This is my prayer for you, Krissy and Jeremy: That, as you embark on this journey of life together, may you strive to live a life filled with a sense of purpose, peace, joy and contentment. May you both come to deeply identify with the words of the apostle Paul when he wrote “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances” and may you hold Grandma’s secret wisdom, God’s wisdom in your heart and with you always.
Cheers.

Easter in the Canyon....

... is a much anticipated time for the kids- especially the canyon Easter egg hunt put on by the Trabuco Canyon Women's Club. Every year these ladies host a fantastic (and free) hunt for the kids at the arboretum in O'neil park. Colorful plastic eggs filled with candy goodies are hidden among the vines, bark and bushes in the park and every single child has a blast trying to find the golden eggs- which, when turned in at the bake sale, gives a much sought after treat- Miss Berta's Bombastic brownies. (Heaven doesn't describe these treats. To put some perspective to how great these treats are: we bought 14 of them Last Saturday. Today.... not event 5 days later, there is not a trace of brownie to be found.) Below are pictures of the family as they hunt for their treasures. I am especially proud of my very fun, feather covered, homemade Easter baskets the girls are sporting!

Miranda: Her basket reminds me of a happy flamingo.

Celie

An action shot of Jonny

(Finally, a picture of him on here)

Miss Alyssa

Daddy protects "the goods" while Celie lugs her treasures.

Weddings....

My baby brother is married. He married the charming Kristen Thomas last December and we were fortunate enough to be asked to be in the wedding.

Here are a few stolen moments:

Gary (my step-father) Faith(my mother) Jeremy (my brother), Kristen, Me , David

Miranda, Alyssa, Jonathan, Celie.

*gasp* Thanks, God, for saving this handsome man just for me. *sigh*

The Hansens

Hansen and Hansen Jr

Miranda, Celie & Alyssa: Three good reasons to own a shotgun.

Corinne (our house mate) and Miranda

Davids not one for male bonding (can you tell?)

Tiny dancer


Miranda.



AND NOW FOR THE PROFESSIONAL PHOTOS:




And I saved my favorite one of David and I for last:

I think i'll cherish this one forever.