I know Easter has been technically over for a week now, but I still want to share with you our Easter celebration. After all we can celebrate the reason for Easter all year round. Can I get an “Amen?” I want to share here because the blog has been a way for me to document a lot of our lives for my own family. However, I also want to share us with you…my readers out there.
First of all, my sister was suppose to host Easter, but then her daughter became sick with some sort of stomach bug. We decided (a couple days before Easter) that it would be better for me to host. Although my niece was better in time for Easter celebrations, we decided to keep it at my house because it was suppose to be 72 degrees on Easter, which is crazy nice for the Seattle area in March. The boat is in the water at our house, and we decided it would be nice to celebrate out on the patio.
The morning started with 8:00 AM church. 8:00 AM is an earlier service than we are used to, so it was a rush to get out, but I am certainly glad we did. We could find a parking spot and a seat with no problem. It was nice to go early so we had more time to come home and make preparations for everyone to arrive. Easter and Christmas can be the only time some people go to church. I’m always praying that the gospel message will be heard and embraced in a new way for them at the service. I pray that for you too. I hope Easter was a time for you to evaluate the truth and the meaning behind Christ’s death and resurrection. I pray that it transformed your lives. It has the power to do that.
I came home and got started on making mini monkey rolls and getting the house in order. Since I was in a hurry that morning, I decided to use Rhodes bread. After trying both, I do like the homemade better. Also, I do want to give a couple warnings. If they sit in the cupcake tin too long, the bottom pieces stick to the bottom of the liner. This was discovered when people went back for seconds. Also, they are a bit time consuming, so make them when you aren’t in a hurry or have little hands to help roll dough into balls.
The first goal was to enjoy food together. We had mini monkey bread, hash brown casserole, sausage egg breakfast casserole (everyone’s very favorite), and a fruit salad.
Then, the hunt began.
Abby likes to find her eggs, eat some and save some for later.
Kenzie would eat every single piece of candy in the first five minutes if I allowed it, which I was actually tempted to do. She did a great job looking for eggs. We had to really direct her to find her basket. We put her right in the right area. She was staring in the right direction. Finally, my dad took her head and pointed it right at the basket.
I am not sure Corban even searched for eggs last year. I think this was his first time. He initially pulled grass up from the lawn and stuck it in his basket thinking that was what he was searching for. I quickly directed him to an egg to show him what he really wanted. He started collecting eggs joyfully, but you should have heard his excitement as he discovered, “These eggs have candy inside.” His search became more intense.
Here are the results of the Easter photo shoot. I think the one above is the winner. The ones below are the out takes.
Sunny in Seattle is rare in March. I recall many Easters where the egg hunt was inside. Not this year. We were greeted with 72 degree weather and were able to go on the boat. My parents are in the upper left corner. There’s a cute shot of Kenzie. My sister and brother-in-law are in the bottom right corner. My husband, niece and Corban are navigating the boat.
There was enough down time to go through the Easter baskets, hang out or take a nap.
After hanging out with my side of the family, we headed out to be with my husband’s side, whom I totally consider my family too. Above you see a picture of our immediate family and then the extended with his sisters, parents, brother-in-law and niece. What I wish I had pictures of are everyone else. My mother-in-law is the oldest of six, so there are many cousins, aunts, uncles and great-grandparents around.
Other than eating a delicious meal, there’s an egg hunt for the kids and plenty of time to hang out, talk and have fun together.
I hope Easter was a joyful and transforming time for you and your families.
