He is risen, alleluia!

We have lots of exciting farm-related things going on at the moment (garden planting, new goat, etc.), but for now, since it's been more than two weeks since the last post, I thought a general post on our Kleinshire Easter would be in order.

Rosemary's older sister Renee flew from Wisconsin to visit for Easter this year, together with her daughter Alynnsia. Another of Rosemary's sisters, Janet, also flew in from Chicago just for the weekend. So, it was a full house for awhile.

We managed to participate in all the Triduum liturgies as a family this year--the Mass of the Lord's Supper on Thursday, the Good Friday service, and, finally, the Easter Vigil. Even with St. Catherine's being packed, we managed to sit near the front for all the liturgies. I think it's important for the boys to see as much as they can, and it bolsters my own faith to answer their innocent questions. I have some work to do with Cletus, however. When I brought him forward on Good Friday for the veneration, I asked him if he would like to kiss the cross. He shook his head and said emphatically (and loudly), "No!"

There were no major meltdowns, though a few children did drift off to sleep by the end of the Vigil Mass. Christ may have risen, but as for the children? Not so much. Though they did rise early enough for their Easter candy the next morning!

Cyprian is technically awake at this point, as is Cletus, whom I am holding. Clement and Alynnsia? Not so much!

Holy Saturday, of course, was a day of preparation, involving egg coloring:

Egg coloring.

Quality time for Chrysogonus and Aunt Janet.

Rosemary got to make a lamb cake after a friend generously purchased a mold for us.

Easter Sunday marked our very first Kleinshire Easter Party. We used to host a big Easter party for friends every year in Dallas, and we've been looking forward to doing the same here in North Carolina. After a great deal of house and yard cleaning, we were finally ready for the forty-plus guests. There were a few mishaps--principally a crock pot lid shattering and ruining the pork roast--but I think a great time was had by all. Thankfully one friend came bearing an Easter ham!

The good food, beer, and conversation may have been the highlights for the adults, but for the kids it was the Easter egg hunt:

Though my egg hiding places were creative, the retrieval methods were even more so.

Rosemary gives an assist, not that the kids really need it.

Yep, this characterizes Cletus's approach to candy. He was pretty irrational by the end of the day.

Ever the contemplative (aka, the airhead), Cyprian here cries out at the injustice of it all as, with a nearly empty bag in hand, he surveys an egg-less back yard.

After Easter Sunday, Rosemary and Renee left for the beach together with the children, leaving me to read and to take care of the animals. Renee had found a beach house deal in the Outer Banks, so Alynnsia got to see the ocean for the very first time. On Tuesday I milked the goats very, very early--4 a.m.!--and made the three-hour drive to join everybody else at the beach for the day.

We visited the Wright Brothers' National Memorial--the site of the very first powered flight--and spent some time at the beach.

The Wright Brothers National Memorial, Kill Devil Hills, N.C.

Cousins!

A beautiful mother with her baby.

Checking out one of the Wright brothers. Orville, I believe?

Renee and Alynnsia

A model of the Wright brothers' plane.

I'm pretty sure this one is Wilbur.

Triple the trouble, and, from Clement's backward glance, I'm pretty sure he knows it.

At the beach in the Outer Banks, N.C.

Yesterday morning, I woke up early and drove Renee and Alynnsia to the airport. Snowy is now puppy-less, as they brought with them the very last of the puppies, the little Snowy look-alike, whom they've named Daisy. I think a good time was had by all.

A blessed Easter to everybody. He has risen, indeed!