Best. Easter. Weekend.

Soooooo, the weekend was planned.  Chad's parents were going to come in Thursday night, his sister was arriving Friday, as was my mom.  We had lodging and food set up for the whole weekend.

The week was extremely slow, and Chad felt under the weather both Monday and Tuesday so he didn't work.  When do they decide to call him "up north," as we call it (Dickinson up to Canada, basically)?  Thursday morning.  It was supposed to be a quick trip, then home.  But that would be convenient and logical!  When his parents arrived, I got word from him that everything that could go wrong DID go wrong, and he was on his way home--two and a half hours--to pick up a piece of equipment, sit for half hour to eat, then go back--another two and a half hours--to finish the job Friday.

Friday comes, and things go well, Chad's parents and I have a pleasant lazy day, hangin' around town.  Chad is expected home by midnight.  Mom is expected around six.  She calls from Bismarck, scared to continue driving in the blizzarding weather, and I convince her to keep on truckin'.  I go in to work, and a few hours later, she comes in to the bar (I'm working) and sits down for dinner.  I go to get a menu, and in come MICHAEL, my brother from Sacramento!!!  THEY SURPRISED ME AGAIN!!  Probably the best Easter gift ever.

Chad arrives at 3 in the a.m. and we all go to bed.

Saturday, Tara (Chad's sister), Matthew, the kids and Sandra (his other, pregnant sister) come over, and we have lots of fun dying eggs and prepping for the barbeque next door, which included lots of runs to the the grocery store and various other places around town.  We, the closest guests, are late to the barbeque (no big deal; it's a Williams thing) and we have a blast.  My brother, as always, is a big kick, the life of the party.

We sleep.  We wake early, start fixing the roast, and head off to Easter Sunday church, to the first church I've set foot in in Baker.  We finish the roast and stuff, family arrive again, and we eat.  Good times.  Lots of stories, some fun banter, fantastic food, wonderful weather, and great company from family (it was actually pleasant!).

Today I drove all the way to Bismarck with Michael, caravanning with Mom; ate at Ruby Tuesday, and said "goodbye."  Everyone is back home, and the wheels have slowed considerably, yet I am still energized (could be the Frappe i had).

Now I'm home, waiting for Chad to get here so we can do yoga and go to bed.  Lots of cleaning to be done, but it is TOTALLY worth it.

Gotta love surprise visits, and shifts in plans.  And regardless of my anal-retentive need to be in control, I had a fabulous time with the ENTIRE family this time, and I am happy it went the way it did.

Happy Easter, people, and Happy Spring.