Easter

 We had a wonderful Easter weekend this year! We made so many good memories and had so much fun with the kids. I really wanted to keep Easter focused on Christ, so we had a couple of lessons throughout the week about Jesus and what we were really celebrating. I made some paper Easter eggs that we taped to the wall and the kids got to pull one off each day this week. On the back was written an act of service to do that day. We talked about how Jesus gave us the gift of life after death, so as a gift to him we can serve others. I think the kids very favorite activity was making these little birds nests out of rice krispie treats that we delivered to some neighbors.

As soon as we finished those we dyed Easter eggs. I'm a little embarrassed to admit that Chase is five and this is the first time we've ever done that! The boys loved it though. 

 On Saturday morning we had an epic Easter egg hunt at Nana and Papa's house, followed by a delicious lunch. It was so fun! The kids were all so cute and excited about the eggs and little toys they found, and so sweet and considerate of each other. At one point, Hudson spotted an egg and said, "Here Nora, you can get that one!" Nana knows how to spoil these kids.

The boys were so excited for the Easter bunny to come that they had the hardest time going to sleep Saturday night. All that work on making things Christ-centered, and the most exciting part was still the Easter bunny to them! The Easter bunny even "caught his tail in the door" (aka- a cotton ball) in his hurry to leave our house. They were thrilled with their baskets!

 Ben made us a delicious breakfast- strawberry shortcake on biscuits! It was delicious!

 We have 11:00 church so we decided to make our contribution to dinner in the morning- which was dessert, of course a bunny cake! Chase helped me make the cake and Hudson helped Ben with the frosting. Hudson insisted that they needed sunglasses to properly make it- and insisted that Ben wear MY sunglasses.

We had a wonderful meeting at church. Chase got up with the primary kids to sing "He is Risen" and did so great! He's been practicing for a few weeks now. I was thrilled that both kids gave us fairly accurate and in-depth explanations of what Easter was all about afterwards. Hudson's version included angel's knocking on the door of the tomb and then afterwards Jesus took off in a rocket-ship. So, ya know, close. 

 After church we met up at my parents house for a delicious dinner and family time. My mom always pulls out all the stops for stuff like this and we ate like kings! Mostly it was so great to be surrounded by family celebrating this beautiful holiday.

As I get older, Easter means more to me. Part of it is me trying to teach my kids what it's all about. I think part is that as I've gone through more trials and hardships that have come with being an adult, the Savior and his Atonement mean more. I'm so grateful that we have the gospel in our lives. I'm thankful for Christ and the hope and joy his life, death and resurrection bring to me. I'm grateful that I know He lives. Happy Easter!