Sunday (Easter)

Today started out much the usual with a wake up crow from the rooster next door at 5'ish in the morning but some how I tuned him out until nearly 7 before getting up. After my quiet time and a spot of hot green tea we got ready to head to Tampa for worship at Element Church. I drove this Sunday so Dan and Carol rode with us. We had an awesome service and a huge crowd and got to visit with cousins Tom and Cathy Cumpson as well as cousins Tammy, Rich, Megan and Brooke Triplett-Kesky. Tammy and her family joined us later in the evening for supper. It was good to see some old friends faces again. Bobby did a great message on the empty tomb and the music was very inspiring as well.

We headed home shortly after the service to get ready for 16 people for supper. I managed to get in a little Rays baseball in between getting ready for the crowd to arrive around 4 PM. The Rays swept the Yanks in 3 straight games at Tropicana Field in St.Pete, wow are they ever playing some great baseball and with the acquisition of a couple new players they should be good this year, GO RAYS!!!

Megan and Brooke and I hid Easter eggs for the little ones and we had a fun time helping them to find them later in the evening just before setting down to eat. We managed a couple group photos as well. The food was awesome with spinach dip and pickled eggs and beets to start the snacking. We didn't serve the main course until about 6:30 as we waited for Bobby and family to arrive after leaving a big meal at Jill's folks in Riverview. Betsy brought her famous potato casserole and Amy brought green beans. The ham turned out very nice with a superb glaze and the salad was great as well with crusty bread. We had a taste of mellow red wine Tammy brought while snacking. Nancy made chocolate cupcakes for the kiddos and a huge pumpkin cheesecake which was awesome, even I indulged and had a piece with whipped cream on top.

After eating we sat around talking and/or wrestling with the little ones on the floor as they were wired after the chocolate cupcakes. We had such a fun time eating, laughing and playing with the little ones. Rich was an animal on the floor and the kids were on him having such a fun time, so much so it was nearly 10 PM when the last family left, WOW what a get together. After the last group left it was like a ghost town around here but I managed to finally get to sleep near midnight. Nancy was so wired she was on the computer until then. Well I hope all of you had a fun time with family and took a moment to reflect on the empty tomb and its significance for your life now and after you leave this life, LATER