Celebration in the Hill Country

 We made it to the ranch on Good Friday's evening. I had a pit stop in Fredericksburg to meet the Berg's. They rented a little cottage off of Main Street so we strolled the shops for about an hour. I found an adorable magenta dress at Root that I can't wait to wear for a special occasion. Possibly a bridal shower, a date night, or just perfect for a hot summer day. And we tried on clothes! I always love how the older I get the more I have to try on. I can't just look at a top and know anymore. Anyone with me? Anyway, enough ramblings.

We got to spend time with Paw Paw and B Friday night. We had supper and went to sleep early.

Saturday we were up and at 'em. We "worked" cows and this is not one of my favorite things but I got sucked in. I'm too emotional for it. However, I am not a vegetarian and really love a good burger. I haven't been eating as much red meat and am going to consider cutting it out entirely for a while. It's easier being removed from the process but someone has to do it and the Crowell's are wonderful ranchers.

Laney got into the "mule" immediately. She pretends to drive and we have learned that we cannot leave the keys anywhere near the ignition. Landry really enjoys following her big sister around too and was carrying  my sunscreen.

We arrived for lunch at Clairlene's and Laney went for dessert first. Please don't judge, it was an adorable chic cupcake. Besides, it wasn't my idea.

Here is everyone gearing up for the annual "Crowell confetti egg cascarones brawl" that I always dread. We have our huge lunch and everyone starts playing dominoes. Well, not me. I refuse. It's like a cult and I can't keep up! Anyway, I start thinking silently--I really hope they forget about putting the eggs out. I'm so sleepy and full.

They never forget to put eggs out. How can one forget about dozens and dozens of cascarones.  And I always end up loving it and having so much fun! 

Matthew was smart! He grabbed Landry this year and walked around with her. I must admit, it wasn't nearly as brutal without Landon.

Laney is smitten with Andy. She just adores him. He is soon to be stuck with us too!

 Naughty sister! I thought she just wanted a picture.

Not. So.  Much.

There is a sign Richard always talks about getting for me and for Lesley. It reads" Am I the Good sister or the evil one?" I believe this answers the question.

 My beautiful Momma. She looks so much like her mother in this picture to me; my Rangy.

 And we are off, the fun begins. I am serious about getting people and as many eggs as I can!

 Laney was so happy! I love this picture and her face! She used to get scared, well, like Landry. The first year they are too little to know wha tis going on. The second they must be thinking "what the he*&" and then the third they chime in. Laney is a chimer and Landry was a screamer.

Matthew puts down Landry and jumps in.......

 Landry loving on Bumpaw. She just kept wanting to hug on him. Sweet.

We made an escape for the Crowell's house to go dye Easter Eggs. I always do this with the girls and write every one's names on them. This is what the Easter Bunny did for our family.

The older I get, the more sentimental. My Maw Maw, my Dad's Mother, loved all holidays and Easter was one of them. Maw Maw was a devout Catholic and always took us to Holy Family's Fall Festival. This is where I was first introduced to confetti eggs. Random but it's funny the things you remember around family. But we would always go over to her house on Leggett and dye lots of eggs the weekend before Easter. I never realized how important it must have been to her until now. She always took pictures and had all kinds of dyes and many eggs. Now it's our turn. So I find myself holding onto old traditions and creating new ones.

Laney found an egg under her pillow Easter morning, as we Berg children always did. I bet Landry does next year when she won't eat the shell or smash it. And everyone had an egg; even Matthew.

Laney's egg and her precious hand.

I know these pictures and faces will change through the years. But how lucky we are and I enjoy remembering the small stuff that makes life so good.