Memorial Day 2011

Memorial Day, which falls on the last Monday of May, honors the men and women who died while serving in the American military. Originally known as Decoration Day, it originated in the years following the Civil War and became an official federal holiday in 1971. Many Americans observe Memorial Day by visiting cemeteries or memorials, holding family gatherings and participating in parades. Unofficially, at least, it marks the beginning of summer. In 2011, Memorial Day is observed on Monday, May 30
For our family it has been about hte family gatherings for as far back as I can remember. It was a time when my grandma traveled back to her home town to decorate the graves of her family. Because of this other family member from all over came into town as well and it became one big Family Reunion that has changed and rearranged itself over the years. And even though my grandma passed on several years ago the family still continues the tradition. Here are some old poorly scanned pictures from reunions past.

However you and your loved ones celebrate this day please be safe and I hope you all have a happy one.

~Easter 2011~

Here we are on Easter doing our Easter thing.

It starts with hunt at the city ball park

Then we all go back to my mom's house for the rest of the activities.
Which can very from year to year.

Ruby missed the city hunt but we got some eggs from there and took them back for her to hunt with her grandma

Then we take out the trash

and act silly

Pose for the traditional picture

and again after we hunt for another egg

Then we color eggs

I think my mom boils half a farms worth, but you never know who may show up

Every one is an artist

Little Miss Green Hands

Then there is food. Salads, Ham, rolls, chips....

Then there is a trip the cemetery to take my Dad his eggs and salt

We visit

and visit some more

Then it's back to mom house for more playing and visiting

Easter is also a time for making cute treats and these are super cute

Even if Pixie got a hold of quite a few on my craft table and destroyed them
I love the cute bows I made for these.

I ran out of time so I made some super quick tags with an Easter stamp.

We had a great Easter even though the weather this year has been so crummy.

If Tomorrow Starts Without Me

When tomorrow starts without me,
And I'm not there to see,
If the sun should rise and find your eyes
all filled with tears for me,
I wish so much you wouldn't cry
The way you did today,
While thinking of the many things,
We didn't get to say.
I know how much you love me,
As much as I love you,
and each time that you think of me,
I know you'll miss me too.
But when tomorrow starts without me,
Please try to understand,
That an angel came and called my name,
And took me by the hand,
and said my place was ready,
In heaven far above,
And that I'd have to leave behind
All those I dearly love.
But as I turned to walk away,
A tear fell from my eye
For all my life, I'd always thought,
I didn't want to die.
I had so much to live for,
So much left yet to do,
It seemed almost impossible,
That I was leaving you.
I thought of all the yesterdays
The good ones and the bad,
I thought of all the love we shared,
and all the fun we had
If I could re-live yesterday
Just even for a while,
I'd say good-bye and kiss you
And maybe see you smile.
But then I fully realized,
That this could never be,
For emptiness and memories,
would take the place of me.
And when I thought of worldly things,
I might miss come tomorrow,
I thought of you, and when I did,
My heart was filled with sorrow.
But when I walked through heaven's gates,
I felt so much at home
When God looked down and smiled at me,
From His great golden throne.
He said, "This is eternity,
And all I've promised you."
Today your life on earth is past,
But here life starts anew
I promise no tomorrow,
But today will always last,
And since each day's the same way
There's no longing for the past.
You have been so faithful,
So trusting and so true.
Though there were times
You did some things
You knew you shouldn't do.
But you have been forgiven
And now at last you're free.
So won't you come and take my hand
And share my life with me?
So when tomorrow starts without me,
Don't think we're far apart,
For every time you think of me,
I'm right here, in your heart.