Easters

 There are so many things wonderful about Easter.

 Although I am not Catholic, while working at the Catholic school for nearly 8 years I grew a deeper appreciation for the Easter season and it had a true impact on the students. Taking the time to reflect on the Stations of the Cross and the suffering that Jesus endured during His Passion. Observing Lent and consciously either giving up or adding something to your life.

I appreciate the sacrifice made.

It is humbling when holding your own children and being overcome with reverence. 

As the boys grow older, it is easier to spend the Easter season with greater focus on the celebration of the resurrection. 

We will probably always have egg hunts and chocolate bunnies, but at some point there is a shift when you want to really impress on your children the real reasons we have these celebrations.

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This was one of the first Easters ever that we were with only our little family of 5. 

It was also our FIRST Easter in our OWN home!

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And after all of that said about the true impact of Easter here are a bunch of pictures of us celebrating with candy, eggs, and family.  

We did it simple.The kids baskets were out on the table.

One by one, a child with a severe case of  "bed head" appeared.

It started with Brayden, then August...

after awhile Aug went and peeled Mitch out of bed.

 I made a quick batch of French Toast...

Brent was craving French toast with powdered sugar and lemon.

And what my baby wants, he usually gets.

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After breakfast we decided to start some egg dying...

Our car shopping had engulfed our weekend so we had not done the eggs Saturday as planned.

It was fun watching all the boys get so into it.

I felt bad making the egg salad sandwiches for lunch and ruining all their pretty eggs!

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The tongue is out indicating this is serious

 

Zelda symbols on all of Mitchel's eggs.

Then we went outside and enjoyed the fresh air.

Aug was a natural on his new bike. He still needs a little more umph to get the speed, but he is very close.

Papa came over and we ate some lunch. After our egg salad sandwiches, we were ready for our egg hunt. Mitch wanted to help hide this year and not hunt. We had filled almost 100 eggs with peanut butter M&M's, and peanut M&M's.

August wouldn't stay inside. So I entertained him while Brent and Mitch hid the eggs...

...or so I thought. Apparently all the neighborhood kids came to help "hide" the eggs. 

We ended up with 4 extra helpers.

 Bray has been riding his bike a lot, and getting little scrapes and cuts all over.

To finish off the day I cooked a chicken pot pie! 

Something (again) Brent has wanted for a long time.

I was sorry to miss all of our various family activities over in the Valley, but it was nice how focused and simple this holiday was celebrated.