Easter Weekend

Happy Easter from the Reyes Family! :)

We had a fun and somewhat busy Easter Weekend.

On Friday, we went to an early Easter service at church. It was nice to praise God and be reminded of the HOPE GOD GIVES HIS CHILDREN. I am amazed each year at how important it is to remember His sacrifice for His children everyday, not just on Easter weekend. I read the 4 gospel stories of Christ's crucifixion and resurrection this past week and it just reminds me of HIS LOVE FOR ME. I feel so loved. Even when the world (devil) wants to beat us to the ground, I know that God is right by my side and helping me- giving me strength and courage and peace.

(I don't have the pics yet. Ben took them and hasn't uploaded the pics of Rachel.)

On Saturday, we pretty much took it easy for the morning and then we got ready to go to Concordia Lutheran Church for a huge Easter Egg Hunt. (We went there last year b/c we wanted Rachel to experience the Easter Egg Hunt, but our church didn't do a BIG one for all the kids. We also went to it last year b/c they had it in the gym at Concordia due to the cold weather we had.) We loved it! There was live music, refreshments, and this time, it was outside on the football field and MANY families went. We got there a bit late, but Yaya and Papa Richard got there just in time for the fun. They had the eggs in a big huge pile on the field and the kids started from the outside in, grabbing eggs. Since we were late, Yaya jumped right in and grabbed plenty so Rachel could have a chance to pic some up. (Papa Richard thought that they were going to be kicked out b/c she was taking them and putting them in her purse!) ;)

By the time we got there, most of the eggs were gone. So, Yaya and Papa Richard to the rescue!
Here are some pics of that outing...

Yaya was dropping them on the ground for Rachel to pick them up. Rachel was following Yaya like a little chick following the mother hen. ;)

Look at all the eggs she collected (thanks to Yaya). :)

Here's our little family! :)

Yaya and Papa Richard & Rachel (she looks up to them) :)

On Sunday, we went to La Villa's backyard (That's the Catholic church where my aunt works-she's like a mother superior or something like that- and where my mom works at their banquet hall). The back area is full of trees and a big open area for LOTS of people. My mom's family decided to meet there this year for a barbeque and fun. :) My aunt Paz did a wonderful job organizing and working to set up and cook and do everything to make it perfect for all of us. My family is so big, that we can't really get together at each other's houses b/c there are too many of us. So this big open area was perfect to sit each family (with all their kids and grandkids). It was nice to see many of my cousins and their growing children. (I wasn't able to take pics b/c we got there and then things just flew by and we were done.) :(
Before we went to this big family fun day, Rachel and I went to my parent's house to get Rachel's basket(s). Here are some pics of that fun time.

Not only did Rachel get cool Easter gifts, she also go this cute outfit to wear on Easter Sunday from Lala and Papa.

Rachel recieved 2 baskets full of fun little toys and trinkets.

Here Lala is opening the fairy necklace to reveal the fairy inside.

Lala hid some eggs out on their patio for Rachel to find.


I pray that you all had a wonderfully blessed Easter weekend. It's always nice to spend this time remembering God's love for HIS children. My favorite verse says it all, "For God so loved the world, that HE gave HIS one and only Son that whosoever believes in HIM many not perish, but have eternal life." John 3:16

Spring Break 2008

We've been quite busy this Spring Break. Ben has been home (pretty much busy with work), but he's taken some time throughout the week to spend time with his girls. :)

Here are some pics of our lovely Rachel. She's such a silly girl and she has quite a sense of humor. :)

Rachel has been wanting to wear her Easter hat from last year (she didn't want to wear them last year, but has had a change of mind about hats). ;)

Blowing kisses!

Closing her eyes... she's being super silly now! ;)

Every time Rachel wants to dance, she asks for her b-day dress. Well, I remembered this dress that Lala got her A VERY LONG time ago. We put it on her and it fit perfectly (it's a 4T, so I was holding it for when she was a 4T). She also wanted to put on her b-day tiara. I was surprised that she called it her b-day tiara b/c I never called it that before. I asked her where she called it and she said, "This is b-day tiara like Max and Ruby (one of her favorite shows on Noggin)." ;)

On Wednesday, I was able to meet up with my old friend, Kim. I've not seen her since I left Carson Elem. to stay home with Rachel. She was such a dear friend, I called her my sister. She was quite a worker with our special needs kiddos. She definitely was a god-send to me. My mom and Aunt Paz were able to join us for our "sister reunion". (My uncle John and Dad came along and were able to catch up and talk about manly stuff.) ;)

I can't blog much longer, but I wanted to share the next picture. :) (It was GREAT!!!)

Here's the whole story: Ben and I went to see Phantom 13 yrs ago (Spring Break senior year '95). We were just friends and dated some at that time. Going to Phantom, though, changed things between us. I knew that he was seriously wanting to start a relationship with me. He planned a special night for us... he picked me up and took me to have drinks (sodas of course) at La Mansion and from there a limo picked us up to go see the show. It was so nice and elegant and I was TERRIFIED about the whole thing! ;) We had a blast. We've seen it 3 more times since Mar '95. ;)

He heard that it was coming to SA again, so he kept asking if we should go. I told him that I didn't think we should b/c of the lack of money. He kept asking, but we convinced ourselves that we should just save the money instead. Well, Thursday after I worked, I came home and he says, "Let's go see Phantom!" I told him, "Really!?" He said, "Let's get dressed up and drive down there and see the show." AND that's what we did! It was so nice! I was enjoying it so much more than ever before. It was such a blessing from God to be able to go out with Ben and just enjoy the LOVELY evening. It was FABULOUS! :)

Lala's blue robe

My mom has a blue robe that is "plushy" (for lack of a better word) and Rachel just LOVES it! We went over last week to visit while mom was getting ready and she had her beloved blue "plushy" robe on. The first thing Rachel did was run to her and rub her face against mom's robe and then hid herself inside. I was too late to catch the one where Rachel was wrapping herself in my mom's robe, but I did get this pic. :)