From the Crouse House: March 2013

Sunday, March 31, 2013

Easter Happenings

We had our family Easter celebration this year a week early. Melissa was already in town, Heather and family was here until 1pm on Saturday and Shauna’s family was out-of-town for a few weekends. So with the Hollon and Hodge families we celebrated Christ’s resurrection with dinner and some family fun time.

First we colored eggs. The kids loved this.

Melissa and Heather were helping.

Then we decorated sugar cookies. I should have gotten a photo of the finished cookies. They were so pretty….pastel frostings and pretty sugars.

Next they boys hunted eggs (and small gifts). The older boys had special golden eggs to find. Will enjoyed watching.

This is the closest I got to a photo in the bluebonnets Sad smile .

The older boys got bubble wands and they and James had a great time with them.

All the boys got enjoyed chasing the bubbles. Ty was patient trying to show James how to do it. These bubbles floated everywhere, even to the tops of the trees.

We all enjoyed dinner on the screened patio with Steve grilling some delicious steaks, chicken, hamburgers and sausage. Even when we are not able to get together on the actual holiday we treasure the family time whenever it happens.

Thursday, March 28, 2013

State Champions Anniversary

2012 was the 10th anniversary of Melissa’s of Bryan High’s 5A Softball State Championship. They tried to have a reunion last year but it was essentially rained out with some of those who showed up meeting at a local home. This year they honored the state champions at a game and had a pregame tailgate. Melissa attended this year and we enjoyed seeing the coaches and some of the players.

The introductions and honors before the game.

Welcoming the current players as they were introduced.

James and David watching.

James was proud of his mommy. He was telling everyone “Mommy plays baseball”. I wonder if the next ten+ years will fly by just as fast. By then Will and James will probably be playing baseball.

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

The Hunt of a Lifetime

The last part of spring break David hosted a exotic game hunt in West Texas for Steve, Austin and his dad. The trip was planned with Austin in mind, making a special memory for him. In Austin and Steve’s words, “The trip was even better than we could have imagined”. They spent the first night at the Hollon’s “Three Crosses Ranch” near Lubbock and had fun exploring and enjoying the scenery.

Sunrise at Three Crosses.

Wild turkey.

The next day they went to Champion Ranch near Colorado City, Texas. They have many stories to tell but the following will show pictures of the animals they got.

Austin was first up and he shot a water buffalo….exciting!

Practicing with with gun and scope.

Lacing up the rattlesnake leg guards.

Austin and his water buffalo.

Next David’s dad, Jim, shot a huge bison.

The next day David hunted and killed an Addax.

It is a rare animal that lives in the Sahara.

And finally Steve bagged a Jacob’s Four Horn which is an ancient breed that is believed to have been bred by Jacob of Biblical times as a sacrifice to God.