Easter Time in Tennessee!

We just returned yesterday from a whirlwind weekend in Tennessee where we celebrated Easter with several members of Ron's family. His grandparents and one aunt and uncle all live in a town located in the beautiful countryside outside of Knoxville. Many members of his family gather each year to celebrate the Easter holiday, but this was only our second time joining them (and Lia's first). Although we were only there for two full days (we travelled most of the other two days), we truly had such an enjoyable time. The weather was in the 80s the entire weekend and Lia had so much fun getting reacquainted with her two girl cousins on this side of the family that are so close to her in age. It was hard to leave it all to come home to reality....

Since Lia is in the running for the world's best behaved toddler, she travelled like a pro. Honestly, I don't think that I will ever be blessed with another child like her. She thoroughly enjoyed the airports and riding the airplanes and watching Grover thousands of feet above ground.

Since we absolutely refused to pay the astronomical prices that American Airlines now requires for checked luggage, we carried everything (which was a lot of stuff since Lia can now have two pieces of luggage herself). In order to manage the armada of luggage, Ron rigged up the above scenario in order to transport Lia and a bunch of our loot. As you can imagine, Lia loved it and could be found requesting to "ride the suitcases" the second we disembarked each plane.

Our first full day in Maryville was Easter Sunday. Before attending church, we went outside for a few pictures in our Sunday duds. This is NO JOKE the view outside of Ron's aunt's house. They live in this beautiful home up on a hill with a stunning view of the valley below and the Smoky Mountains off in the distance. Can you even begin to imagine what it would be like to look at this every day of your life? I can't.

Lia in her Easter dress.

Here is Lia with her darling cousins, Regan and Addison. We attempted to get a photo of the three of them holding hands, but one of Aunt Janet's dogs sabotaged this (Lia, over HERE!).

That's a bit better, but what is up with Lia striking a pose over her shoulder like that? Such a cheeky, little one...

Regan came up with the fabulous idea to make some stone soup while waiting outside before church. The other girls quickly agreed and got to work.

The Hartland Fam.

After attending Catholic mass at Ron's grandmother's church, we returned home to Aunt Janet's house for a fabulous Filipino-American fusion Easter feast. We then headed out doors in the heat to hunt down some eggs. Here are Addison, Ron, and Lia running over to start to the hunt!

Armed and ready to go.

A girl on a mission.

The three cousins eyeing their spoils.

Ron and his girls.

After the Easter egg hunt, Uncle Robbie (Ron's brother) joined us on a walk down the country lane to visit the animals and play in the creek.

Lia communing with a donkey.

Uncle Steve joined us later on our walk so that we could feed their horses carrots and "grain cocaine" (as he fondly calls it). As you can imagine, Lia was fascinated with this and kept on asking to feed the horses for hours afterwards.

Throwing rocks in the creek that's found at the end of the road.

The family that throws rocks together, stays together.

We wrapped up a marathon Easter day with a marathon hair cutting session. Lola, stylist extraordinaire, cut a total of seven heads of hair that night in the garage. Lia was one of these privileged heads which I thought was most appropriate as this was her first, official haircut (she has only had her bangs trimmed up until this point).

Monday morning started off with an informal family photo shoot wearing the traditional blue jeans and white shirts (requested by Lola)! Here are Ron and his two bros.

Lola and her boys.

Lola and her girls.

Ron's entire immediate family.

We then headed off for a day around town. Stops including visiting Ron's grandparents, lunch at Chick Fil-A, and shopping at the mall. Here is Lia with her cousins and the three generations above her.

We finished off both Sunday and Monday evenings with quite possibly my favorite activity all weekend long: watching twilight fall over the Tennessee countryside from atop "the hill." Both nights, we lined up a long string of lawn chairs and just plopped down and talked the night away while surveying our kingdom below (well, really, Janet's and Steve's kingdom). It was so beautiful and peaceful outside and the temperature was just perfect for blowing some bubbles!

Lia, her sippy cup, and the Tennessee twilight.

Uncle Steven and cousin Regan taking a ride on the ATV while we watched from our lawn chairs.

What a great weekend! Thanks Aunt Janet and Uncle Steve for being such fabulous hosts!