Easter 2010

This Easter, we kept things pretty low key at our place. Not in the sense that things weren't crazy and the kids weren't running around on a slight sugar and happy high, but we tried to stick to the basics. We all know that holidays are usually anything BUT relaxing - but we did try to keep it somewhat peaceful. Not only is it Easter Sunday, but it's also General Conference weekend and we were able to take in all of the wonderful messages that were shared with us and helped to, once again, recharge our spiritual batteries. We also read about the true meaning of Easter from Matthew 28 and watched this video.

For breakfast, we made cinnamon rolls, hashbrowns, scrambled eggs and orange juice. It was SO good. Then, the kids were surprised with their Easter baskets. We were going to hid them, but once again, we kept things to a minimal. To my disappointment though, we didn't dye eggs this year as planned so the amount of eggs they were to find were cut in half. But who says you can't dye and decorate eggs any other day of the year? :) I think we may just do that! Another disappointment was that I didn't do the usual Easter clothes for the kids. A lot of that reason was much of my time spent lately has been caring for and nurturing Andrew back to health from a double ear infection and a miserable cold. Most days, I barely got anything done other than holding a clingy baby. Not that I mind - it's just why I didn't get a lot done. Another reason to step back and remember our family word this year: Choose. I chose to leave some things out this year so I didn't get all frazzled and stressed. Much of the reason why we chose this specific word in the first place; so we could simplify our lives and get down to the basics. Looking back, I do wish I got them cute matching clothes for Easter but it's really not something I'm going to fret over. Next year, I hope to be able to make the girls their dresses - or at the very least, go shopping earlier, in case unfortunate events like sick children spring upon us!

The girls and I made and decorated sugar cookies and took plates over to some of our neighbors and friends. Aubrey and Jocelyn really liked doing this and felt so proud giving the cookies they made to people they love.

Once we returned home, it was starting to cool off outside - enough to watch them run themselves crazy searching for easter eggs in the backyard. The girls knew the drill but this was Andrew's first Easter egg hunt. John and I took turns helping him find some of the hidden eggs and his sisters were actually kind enough to leave some of the lower ones for Andrew to pick up and dump into his little green bucket. It really was a fun sight to see as they all ran to and fro searching for their "treasures."

For dinner, we had a Costco ham, scalloped potatoes, pineapple, olives, rolls and salad. A friend of ours wasn't feeling well and his family was out of town visiting extended family, so we took some dinner over to him. And the plan for dessert was to make lemon bars but with all of the yummy cookies we were praised with by friends all week, we cut it out of the menu.

Easter just happens to be one of my favorite holidays. Almost 31 years ago, on April 15th, I was born. It also happened to be Easter Sunday (and tax day!). There are rumors that I was almost named Bunny. And I'm so glad it was just that....Rumors!! :) I'm grateful to my parents that my name ended up being Leslie instead. I'm sure it spared me a lot of embarrassment.

Today ended up being a really great day spent with family and friends - and I'm very happy to know that my sweet kids understand that there is more to Easter than just the candy and baskets. That because Christ died for our sins and was resurrected, that we too can live again! I love knowing that if we just try to do our best and live our lives in such a way that the Savior would be pleased, that we can enjoy this promise. Happy Easter! :)

{Table set for Easter breakfast}

{These beautiful Lily's I picked up at Wegmans and they made the house smell so good!}

{Delicious cinnamon rolls}

{Andrew's Easter basket - I didn't realized I got him such a small basket. So things happily sat next to it.}

{Aubrey's Easter basket}

{Jocelyn's Easter basket}

{All three kids with their "I am a Child of God" frames}

{He LOVED his ball!}

{Dad & son relaxing}

{After getting sick on some medicine and having already gone through a few changes of clothes, he ended up walking around like this for a while! :)}

{Girls baking cookies for friends and neighbors}

{Easter Egg hunt in the backyard begins!}

{Andrew's first Easter Egg Hunt!}

{Found another!}

{He was very reluctant putting those eggs into the bucket. He would much rather hold them!}

{"Isn't that what they're for, Mom??"}

{Aubrey searching for more eggs}

{Jocelyn found some too!}

{Basically having no clue as to what was going on, he just wondered around...}

{"Oohhh! What's THAT?"}

{Smile! "Hey Andrew...look over here!}

{"No...look over here! At Mama!" Oh well. He's still cute looking in his bucket. Guess I'll take what I can get! :)}

{Cracking open their easter eggs to find their hidden surprises}

{Easter dinner}