Easter in the Heartland

Dug and I both have grandparents in Kansas--his grandmother in Lawrence, my maternal grandparents in Pretty Prairie, in Central Kansas (but what my inlaws all insist on referring to as Western Kansas, no matter how many times I correct them). Every year we fly into Kansas City, rent a car, crash at Grandma Sally's in Lawrence for a night, drive down the next day to Pretty Prairie, spend an evening and a night and a morning with my folks, then drive back up to Lawrence, spend Easter Day, and head back to the airport.

It's always exhausting, always a blast. This year it had the added bonus of being warm and sunny, when home has been so cold and wet for so long.

Never mind chat. Here's pictures:

Warm spring night, Maggie on the merry-go-round

Molly won't be outdone.

With Great-Grandpa and with Great-Grandma

With my cousin, Brandon, who was the beneficiary of a grand concert performance by Molly, the lucky devil. She stood on the hearth and sang every song she could think of for him.

With the Nichols/Moore family in Lawrence on Easter Sunday after brunch. Molly's dress was hand-crocheted for me when I was her age, by my great-grandmother. Maggie's was purchased for me by my paternal grandmother when I was her age. My dress was formerly a square dancing dress, made and worn by Dug's grandmother, standing next to me in the pink jacket. Don't be fooled by the photo--I'm leaning down a bit, and that makes me look a little bustier and schlumpier than I really looked. Or maybe I'm just making myself believe that, but I honestly thought the dress looked great and I loved wearing it. Please to note the white shoes.

Comments

[Susan]

What a great looking family! You look good. White shoes and all!!

[rach]

Whoa - where do you live normally? The way I came here is roundabout, but the Lawrence and KC references caught my eye. I am about to end my freshman year at UMKC. Location location location is intense.

[patti]

Rach--We live in the Bay Area, California. My husband's grandmother, uncle, and cousins live in Lawrence and his parents both attended KU.

[Grammy]

I have to tell you that little white dress Daisy has on wasn't bought by Simone. It was bought by me at a garage sale. It came with a red plaid cape. However, you all look marvelous. I cried when I saw Molly wearing the crocheted dress. She looks fantastic! So does Daisy. How odd that my grands get to wear the same clothes my kids did. I am soooo glad I didn't get rid of things.

[Alisyn]

So cute! I LOVE your dress. And Molly & Daisy look so sweet. When did Daisy get so big? She looks positively... two.

[Mrs. Featherbottom]

Yeah for Lawrence! Your girls just get cuter by the second. I studied the Easter Sunday pic to try and figure out what church you were at, but not enough landmarks to tell.

[Marissa]

Sweet Jesus, the girls are getting so big.

And I love the dress, yo. Awesome!

xxoo, me.

[patti]

Mrs. Featherbottom, we were standing in front of Maceli's restaurant after brunch. We did the eleven o'clock service at First Methodist beforehand.

[Mrs. Featherbottom]

I was thinking it might have been that church. That's the one we attended growing up. I also went to preschool in the basement there. good times.

[daionara]

Your kids are so darned cute. Molly may be blonde and blue eyed and Maggie may be brunette with brown eyes BUT....they have the same cute little nose! Frankly I think they have the same facial features too. Man, when I die I want to come back as one of your kids! I mean come on, it's fair! I should get to be cute too!

[desertbitch]

you guys are too neato and I love the dress.

[Jennifer]

This story made me cry. And I think that dress makes your boobs look really huge. Awesome!

I celebrated your birthday for you while visiting your neck of the woods. So you know.