Easter 2015

Easter this year seemed to just come and go so quickly.  With Kyler's birthday the weekend after Easter, and moving two weeks later, it seemed like Easter just began a string of crazy weekends for the month of April.  However, we did have a wonderful weekend celebrating Jesus' death and resurrection!  The weekend was packed full of fun and meaningful things, as well as spending time with family.  We began on Friday night when we headed to the Good Friday service at Naz.  The kids seemed to have taken a bit more of an interest in the service this year as we talked about the different "kids" that were going to talk.  All of them did such a good job, and the music was outstanding as well.

With Erik's schedule at the church, we usually do our Easter baskets with our kids on Saturday, as Erik is gone all Sunday morning.  Saturday morning the kids went to breakfast with my parents and then when they returned, it was time to take a rest.  While they were resting, we got their Easter baskets ready and the house prepared for an egg hunt for when they woke up.  As soon as they came down, they were all excited about their baskets and going on an egg hunt.  Grace was the only one who needed a little help with the egg hunt this year, but once she figured out what was going on, she was all in!  We just had to keep her from eating every one she found! :)  After the egg hunt, we ate dinner, and then Erik headed to the church for the Saturday evening service.  While he was at church, the kids and I  went to my parent's house to have an egg hunt there and open their Easter baskets at their house.  The kids were very excited to hunt for eggs again, and we just had to give Grace a little direction and then she was off looking too (if Kyler and Norah weren't faster than her!) :).  After our egg hunt, we headed back home again to hang out for the evening until Erik came home.  Here are some pictures from Saturday!

The kids' Easter baskets

With their baskets

Checking out what's inside

Grace loving shaking the eggs :)

Off to hunt!

Norah on the hunt

Grace checking out the chocolate eggs

Putting together Norah's Lego set

Sunday morning, I got everyone up to get going, so we could eat breakfast and get to church.  After everyone was ready and fed, we headed out the door, and we made it pretty well on time!  I'm always impressed with myself when that happens!! :)  We attended church with my (Ashley's) parent's and brother.  After church, the Kyler and Norah went with my parent's to their house to get their food, and I took Grace home to pack up our stuff to head to my aunt and uncle's house by Denver.  As soon as Erik got home, we loaded up and headed out.  While we were waiting for the food to finish up, we snapped some family pictures, (which I require!) :), and then the kids checked out their Easter baskets.  After their baskets, all the kids got together and went on their "indoor" egg hunt.  This hunt was for jelly beans, chocolate eggs and other candy hidden throughout the house.  When the kids finished their hunt, it was time for lunch.  We enjoyed a wonderful dinner of ham, potatoes, fruit, salad, relishes, and pies.  As soon as lunch was finished, Grace went up for a nap, and the big kids changed their clothes and headed outside for the "outdoor" egg hunt.  This hunt consisted of tons of plastic eggs hidden all over the yard outside.  When all the hunts were finished, the kids rolled eggs down the hill and enjoyed a game of baseball.  We had a nice afternoon hanging out, playing games, and chatting.  About dinner time, we packed up everyone and headed for home!  Here are some pictures from Easter Sunday:

Grace's collection of toilet paper from the bathroom...

An attempt at a picture of all three kids….(I settled for this now since I knew we'd have a better opportunity later!) :)

Take two!

Our family :)

With my parents and brother

Grace checking out her basket

Kyler's goodies

Kyler hunting for eggs

Norah on the lookout

The kids table :)

Grace enjoying Easter dinner :)

Ready for the egg roll!

We had a great Easter with our families.  Although it seemed to pass quickly, we enjoyed our time celebrating the death and resurrection of Jesus.  We are thankful for all of the fun memories and traditions that we are enjoying with our kids!