Easter 2013

My most favorite holiday, and the holiest days of the year. Such a beautiful time in our faith.  

We went to San Antonio on Good Friday.  The service at St. Josephs was absolutely beautiful.  Or at least it was from what I could tell from hanging in the back with Cora.  She was off the walls.  When it came time for the veneration of the cross, Michael, John and Pops were asked to carry it to the altar. They were standing with it in the back of the church waiting to process in.  It is huge so they had it resting on its side and Cora decided that she thought it was a slide.  I had to pull her away kicking and screaming because all she wanted to do in the world was slide down the cross.  But it was so sweet when it came time for the actual veneration.  She walked away saying, "Mommy, I kissed the cross!"  She was super proud of herself and continued to talk about it all weekend.

We followed the service with the beautiful Snoga family tradition, praying the stations at the hill of the cross behind the church every Good Friday.  

these two.

After that we gathered for a celebration, complete with an Easter egg toss, hunt, and cascarones.

We spent Saturday relaxing around the Paweleks' house.  The whole weekend was very different than usual, since Michael's grandpa, PoPo was in the hospital in SA, we didn't go to Panna Maria and stayed in town the whole time so we could get as much time with him as possible.  

We attended the Easter Vigil that night and had the privilege of witnessing Brad and Ryane join the Church.  Molly also joined, but at Sts. Peter and Paul in New Braunfels.  What a glorious occasion!! The mass was incredible!! I hope that we get to go every year, but maybe one day our little ones will be able to stay awake.  But it did last until 1 in the morning so I can't really blame them. 

Our family with Fr. Jimmy. We are so blessed to have him and the many priests who sacrifice everything in His name.

Happy Easter Season to all!! 

Cora's 2nd Birthday!

Happy Happy Birthday sweet Cora Rose!! What a fun little girl you are!  You are a hilarious, cuddly, strong-willed, independent, loving, beautiful, precious, smart little two year old and we can't get enough of you!! As I am writing this you are sitting next to me looking at the pictures saying, "Hey! Where's my birthday??"  You had a three part celebration this year and enjoyed every bit of it! 

{Part One - College Station}

We had an early morning party as soon as you woke up complete with birthday banner, ballons, presents and pancakes (which you didn't eat because at the moment you will ONLY eat goldfish, pretzels, cheerios, cheese, pasta and potatoes).  We delighted in spending a quiet morning watching you and reflecting on the same morning two years ago.  We had no idea how much you would change our lives and how spectacular it would be to be your parents.  

You wanted to sit on the couch and watch Mickey with ALL your ballons.

{Part Two - San Antonio}

We spent the weekend at Grams and Pops' house and had a blast with friends and family.  The Dodges came all the way down from Dallas to celebrate you which was a great treat!  We had a beautiful brunch followed by a super fun trip to Sea World!  You were amazed by Shamu and you still ask to go see him.  

The Evelyns.

You loved your new bubble mower from Tia Cindy and Uncle Kev. 

Charlotte made a new friend.  She loved your Uncle Dave.

The Udells joined us at Sea World!

Poor Eveyln.  Sea World was WAY too much for a 2 month old, but she was such a trooper!

Not impressed by the dolphins. 

{Part Three - Houston}

The following weekend we celebrated with your Houston buddies.  M.E. and Wuelo took ya'll to the Disney Store, which might as well have been Disney Land through your little eyes.  You were over-joyed by seeing all of your favorite characters.  You, Julia and Squeaka had the best time running around exploring everything.  You even got to pick out a couple of things to take home with you! Afterwards your got chocolate milk from Chick-Fil-A (your most favorite thing in the world) and we had a party of M.E. and Wuelo's new house where you and your girls worked very to hard to break it in.  

                                                 

Julia, cleaning up.

Thank you to all of our friends and family for making you feel so special.  

You are so blessed to have SO many people who love you to pieces.  

Can't wait to see what year three has in store for us!!

Houston Rodeo

This may have been the best day of Cora's life.  Before going to the rodeo, we stopped by Cavendars so that she could get all cowgirl-ish.  We were just planning on getting her some boots, the pink hat was completely her idea.  She picked it out of a number of hats and would NOT take it off.  It really wasn't my favorite since it didn't match her outfit.  My mom and I tried to convince her to get a different one, but she would just say, "where's my pink cowgirl hat?"  She then proceeded to parade around the store yelling, "yeeeeeehaw, ride em cowgirl."  Needless to say, she left the store with the boots and the hat.  Thanks, M.E. and Wuelo.  

I can't even imagine what the rodeo must have looked like through her eyes.  It is a spectacle for almost anyone to behold, much less a farm animal obsessed almost two year old.  

Our future FFA-er in complete heaven.  She acted like it was totally normal to just climb up in this chair and hang out with this giant cow. 

The highlight of the adventure was when her grandpa took her into the milk booth.  She told him, "you're on it Wuelo."  

This little bug was such a trooper, as always.  

Thanks dad!!