Happy Easter!!

4-16

We went to the 8:30 service at our church and took a few family pictures afterward. It seems like every year Easter is more meaningful to me; fully entering into and remembering Jesus' death on the cross means fully celebrating His glorious resurrection a few days later. The lows and highs can be as extreme as you want them to be. This year, we participated in our church's Seder dinner on Maunday Thursday as a family. It was a very interesting experience with so much meaning behind every single aspect of the meal. It was neat to do it together as a family. Charlie was participating in all of the readings, and Molly and Alanna's favorite part was drinking from the cup. We also all attended the Good Friday service, one of my favorite services at EFree because it is so packed with music. It is a really beautiful service. And then we celebrated Jesus' resurrection on Easter morning! 

*I wore this dress for my dad's FFFD retirement party nearly two years ago. Alanna and Molly were wearing the matching coral dresses for the same party. Now it's Molly and Hattie's turn to wear matching dresses! 

 What a great, great picture of Grandma, Grandpa, and four of their grandchildren!

 Matt put a turkey on the grill for a big noon meal, and while we were waiting for it to get done, Matt hid the kids' Easter baskets for them to find. Charlie got a drawing book, a few Lego guys, a watch, a Minions chapter book, an I Survived chapter book, a mini basketball, emoji bandages, and a pack of gum. I'm maybe forgetting one or two things, but that was about what he received.

 Alanna got bubbles, play doh, Trolls bandages, a preschool book about numbers, two Pete the Cat books, a watch, a water toy (the kind where you have to get the rings around things), and a pack of gum.

Hattie's basket had bubbles, a squeaky book, a few sand toys, and a fruit pouch.

 Molly's basket had underwear, a paint with water book, a Dory board book, a Pinkilicious book, Trolls bandages, a Dory water toy like Alanna's, bubbles, a watch, and a little LalaLoopsy doll.

 Later in the afternoon, Matt set up an indoor Easter egg hunt. He filled the eggs with jellybeans and Robin eggs. We gave Hattie and Molly a head start before releasing Charlie and Alanna to hunt for eggs. I think Matt filled 80+ eggs so there was plenty for everyone.

 Easter egg hunts for toddlers involves setting eggs in very obvious spots (like the middle of the room on the floor) and hoping that they notice them!

 This might be my new favorite picture of Charlie, Alanna, Molly, and Hattie! They all have nice, natural smiles!! We are so very grateful for these children of ours.

 Grandma and Grandpa got the kids a little Easter goodie as well. The real gift was spending time with them at our house!!