In Flanders Field

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie,
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

~John McCrae~

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.