A Happy Easter!

We've been in Texas for the past TEN DAYS!!!  So many beautiful, wonderful memories to capture here on the blog (and, fortunately, I captured in photographs, too).  One highlight of the trip included celebrating Easter with all our family.  I'll start there and backtrack all the other Texas events in another post.

At the mere mention of Easter our little redhead started to inquire about the Easter Bunny.  "Weh is he???", she'd ask fearfully, every time we passed the mall.  I know it's cruel, but we had to get a picture!  It's tradition! It's especially critical to capture baby's first Easter Bunny picture. So the Friday before we left I put the kids in their matching shirts and we headed to the mall. Wesley loved the Bunny.  JB even loved the Bunny.  Maryn...did not...

Saturday before Easter my family hosted a big lunch and dinner with all of the kids.  This included my parents, all of my siblings, their families, and a few in-laws as well.  There are 6 younger grands around the same age, with 4 old enough to hunt for (and enjoy the loot from) Easter eggs. 

The kids had a blast!  The kiddos each had a specific color that they could hunt for (to keep things fair) and everyone complied (and even helped out their younger siblings). Sweet, precious children.  After the kids had found all the eggs, the excitement of opening (and eating) began!

Saturday evening we did a quick egg dye so that the Easter bunny would have something to hide that night.  The kids were delighted to see their baskets full of little goodies (sunglasses, new water cups, princess and ninja turtle figurines, etc) the next day.  He found us - even in Texas.

Sunday morning we all went to Easter services in the small Methodist church where I grew up (and my parents are still very active).  There is something special about your "home" church and showing off your family.  They also hosted an Easter egg hunt on the playground, and my kids still kept to their specific colors (until I told them "GO FOR IT" and they started to hoard eggs.)

Maryn decided halfway through the hunt that she wanted to swing.  She'd done enough hunting this holiday.

A lovely service, a thoughtful Easter sermon, and a beautiful time celebrating Easter.  What a blessed day!

Hymns of praise then let us sing, Alleluia!

Unto Christ, our heavenly King, Alleluia!

Who endured the cross and grave, Alleluia!

Sinners to redeem and save. Alleluia!