Easter

We were blessed with an amazing Easter Sunday this year. We were able to celebrate the resurrection with pretty much everyone on both sides of the family. The only ones we didn't get to see were Kjell and Paul.
Jack, Wayne, Julie, Jenny, Arne, Beth, Abbie, Nina and I went to church with Susie. It was cool to be there together again, of course thinking about my mom the whole time. There was even a bagpiper! Totally Marmar. Susie donated flowers for the altar  "in memory of Marie (Jack's mom) and all her saints who reign in glory; in honor of her sisters and in celebration of the upcoming wedding of Wayne and Julie". So thoughtful! And I was so impressed by how Pastor Nancy and their church included the kids. Abbie and Nina were given a tote bag with goodies to keep them interested (but all Christ centered goodies). The best part was the wand with ribbons that they were told to wave every time they heard the word "Alleluia". So effective! After church, we went to Panera for a quick lunch. How simple and how special. Loved it!

We went to dinner at 3 at Franconello's with Jack's side of the family. It was fun to be together, though we were all missing Marie and Mike. Franconello's has been our go-to  spot for the past few years. For many years, Easter was spent at the Union League Club with the petting zoo and Easter Bunny and dessert buffet in a separate room. Those were fun times, but Nello's (as the folks in the neighborhood call it) is the perfect spot for us now. 

Franconello's with the family