Happy Easter!!

This Easter was different for me.  Different in many ways.

My first experience with confetti eggs and silly string

I was able to travel to California to join my immediate and extended family for a tradition that has been going on for years with them.  This was my first time to enjoy it since I have only recently become acquainted with them.  My biological father's side of the family is very large.  As I've mentioned in past posts, he had 10 brothers and sisters and at the Easter event this year one cousin was speculating that there may be as many as 40 cousins between all those brothers and sisters.

My baking gift basket (plus a makeup kit I won for winning a word game)

This year, at a large park in Riverside, California about 80+ gathered together.  It was absolutely the best time.  The weather, after threatening rain a few days before, was perfect and the variety of food and fun was spectacular.  There was more than enough shishkabobs, chicken, sausage, beef, potato salad, fruit salad, casseroles, vegetables, chips, salsa, cakes, cupcakes and cold drinks for probably a couple hundred people.  The games and competitions were total chaotic fun.  There was a raffle with dozens of gift baskets (I won a huge baking gift basket (above) containing cake & cookie mixes, cookie cutters, frosting, hand towels, pot holders, rubber spatulas, cupcake pan, cupcake liners, a variety of sprinkles and decorations and a cookie press, plus much more).  There were word games, board games, card games and a really funny game where you had to open and eat a twinkie by only using your mouth and with your hands tied behind your back.  I did not participate but I sure wish I had pictures to show!

Me and Cousins Sheri and Jimmy with Roger's finger up top :o)

All day long at the park enjoying food, fun and family was just not enough.  I was ready to spend the night and the next day getting caught up.  I did get to meet several cousins who I had not met before and it was like I'd known them all my life.  I loved it!  This is my 2nd visit in the last 3 years, but the first Easter I got to spend with them.  After the fun we had this year, I think we will definitely make this an annual trip.  Jimmy says each year it just continues to grow.
 

Me with Cousins Amanda and Lisa

As an added bonus, before we got to CA I was able to locate a cousin and aunt on my mother's side of the family.  Amazingly enough, they live in Redlands, CA, about 20 minutes from where we were staying near Riverside.  Because of the close proximity, we were able to meet for dinner and I was thrilled to reconnect with them. Aunt Cindy had made the trip with me (as she always does) and I was so excited to be able to share this experience with her.  Aunt Terrie was married to my late Uncle Roy who is the older brother to Aunt Cindy's husband, Tom.  The years have been so kind to these beautiful ladies.

My cousin Janus, her mom (my Aunt Terrie) and my Aunt Cindy

Janus is Cindy's niece and Aunt Terrie is her sister-in-law---it had been over 40 years.....

Another successful trip is in the books and I look forward to making more memories in the future!