April 13, 2009 11:27 AM
A Curtis Family Easter celebration
It was a fabulous day here - a little too nippy to eat outside, but okay to play. The Curtis/Walraven clan celebrated Easter with the usual Frisbee Football.
But first, a spontaneous decision to do a Human Pyramid:
Samantha and I are on the right, trying to help with the finishing touches - like making Jesse understand that he needs to bend his knees. Note Justin - in Spiderman costume - as he assumes the Family Emcee role.
Now note that Daniel has moved behind the pyramid - you can see his smiling face under Madeleine.
And now you can see why he was smiling - he was just waiting to knock the whole carefully-crafted construct.
Three generations of first-borns - my oldest daughter Samantha and my oldest grandchild Tim and I.
My granddaughter Trinity plays with Justin. Toby Walraven plays with Pippin Curtis - best friends forever!
My granddaughter Lily - adopted from Guatemala last October.
We took a bunch of pictures with the tripod and timer. This was the best, but unfortunately the flash didn't go off, so it isn't the best focus. But you get the idea :)
Keeping it real, I have to tell you that though it was a perfect Easter in many ways, we did have a family disagreement before day was through. And I share that because I would feel weird just showing these pictures like we are a perfect family. We're not - and we have breakdowns in communication like every family.
I guess the important thing to remember is how important it is to build the happy memories and hang on to them. And to remember when there is disappointment, to keep forgiving each other as God has forgiven us.
Hope your family had a happy Easter too!
Comments
What lovely pictures!
How big is your dining room table? It's awesome! I have 6 kids and a large extended family and table space for all of us is always an issue.
Tabitha
Posted by: Tabitha | April 13, 2009 11:52 AM
What gorgeous photos. What a great looking family. I am envious of your sunshine, but our Easter weekend was blessed even with the drizzle and clouds.
Julie
Posted by: Joyful Days | April 13, 2009 12:12 PM
how fun!!!
Posted by: Momma | April 13, 2009 3:04 PM
I always read your blog early in the morning before the kids get up, but I was showing them the dance in the bus station after Easter dinner .
My twelve year old said "hey I know that dude"! On the side was a picture on your son Jonny I patiently explained to her about Downs syndrom children have some common features and she patiently listened, Then she said " yeh Mom but thats Jonny Curtis and he has a sister Maddy, and she told me all about them"!!
She said she was shocked I "know" him too!!
The neighbor boy came over after school today and my daughter showed him the blog and he said "Hey there's Jonny Curtis",
She showed to me the nice article Maddy wrote for Brio magazine, ! I guess she is making her brother famous!!
Thought you might enjoy hearing this,
Posted by: Karen | April 13, 2009 3:21 PM
Barbara,
You have a beautiful family!! The happiness shines through. I come from a family of seven siblings and the fun (and fights) are just part of a large family. I have three children and because I was lucky enough to marry a mellow fellow they are always smiling and we laugh continuously at family get togethers.
Ceil
happy belated, blessed Easter
Posted by: ceil | April 13, 2009 5:37 PM
Barbara, I was scrolling down the web page of your blog and there it was......the picture of a tall, healthy Tripp strolling across your lawn. WOW! I am so pleased for him, for all of you. What a joy to see! I was disappointed that no one was in the room with me so I could say, "Hey, come look at the man we've been praying for! Come look at what God has done."
Thanks for sharing the photos. It looks like you all had a grand time.
And a special thanks for "keeping it real". That's one of my important goals as a mom--to keep it real, all the time. Apologies, selflessness, forgiveness, communication......we need it badly, don't we! It's a "God thing".
Posted by: von | April 13, 2009 5:42 PM
Hello dear sweet Barbara! I love the outside pictures and took a few of those myself yesterday! Your family is so lovely, and yes...thanks so much for keepin' it real... I think many of us can relate to things not always being totally " picture perfect". I bet you won't even remember the little imperfections a year or 2 from now, but you'll have the photos. BTW: are you into making the photos dvd's with music??? Gotta love 'em!
Posted by: Lisa | April 13, 2009 6:28 PM
Beautiful Family!
God Bless you!
~Michael
Posted by: Michael Soeherman | April 13, 2009 11:32 PM
Hi Barbara, It was fun seeing pictures of "all our former neighbor kids together again!" (And who has to mow that crazy BIG lawn?) Skyler and I took a drive and a "stroll" down Queens Lane and Memory Lane this last weekend just for fun. We were thinking of how neither the Olsen nor the Curtis family live there anymore. Ahhh....Bittersweet.
Posted by: Kim O. | April 14, 2009 12:01 AM
What fun!
Thanks for keeping it real!
Being together is the important thing!
Posted by: A Mac and a Mug o 'Joe | April 14, 2009 12:10 AM
Barbara,
What great pics! Looks like a glorious day.
Happy Easter to you and your family!
Shannon in Austin
Posted by: Shannon Best | April 14, 2009 3:10 PM
I saw Maddy on American Idol the other night- what an amazing talent! I immediately recognized her from Brio Magazine, when she had written an article about her brother Johnny. That story really touched my heart, and I was estatic to see Maddy going after her dreams on Idol! You go, Maddy! You have my vote all the way!
~Kaitlin
Posted by: Kaitlin | January 15, 2010 3:03 PM
