Easter

We had a great Easter this year.  After the drama of our Jericho trip was over, we had the kids come and make their traditional brown paper bag bunnies.  All 4 kids LOVED this activity.  They all wanted me to cut their ears and then they colored away.  Jared is my first kid who loves to color so young.  He scribbles away just like all of his big sisters!

Savannah and Michaela are getting so creative with their bags.  I love watching them take their time and make a cute bunny!  Michaela even wrote the Easter Bunny an adorable message on the bottom of her bag that said “I love you Easter Bunny”.  I sadly forgot to get a picture of it.

Here are their adorable Easter bags waiting for the Easter Bunny.

We were happy to see that he came and filled them up!!

The kids were so excited so open up their bags and see what they got!  They loved all the fun little toys and especially the Pillow Pets they all got!!  Jared and Lily got the mini versions, and they are my favorite!

Jared peeked in his bag, saw the ONE edible thing in there, pulled it out and demanded it right away. 

Only after he had eaten most of it was he interested in the rest of his bag!

The Easter Bunny also left us a fun new popcorn bucket with pastel Junior Mints, popcorn, and two new movies!  We have really enjoyed our movie nights!

Here they each are with their loot.  (Take note of the last of Jared’s treats in his hand.)

With Easter comes Easter Outfits!!!!!  I decided on skirts again.  I bought the material months ago when I saw it and fell in love with it!  I made them early in the month which was great since I am usually very last minute.  It was nice to have stress-free holiday sewing!  I even made a necklace for me, and my brother and Jason faux ties to match the kids!  (no pictures of that though—I kept forgetting) 

Here are the girls in their cute outfits.

Here are the kids individually.

Did you see my handsome little man?!?  Oh my goodness he is so studly in that picture!  I love my sass-a-frass little girls in theirs too!!

Here is the whole gang together.  Not great, because Jared kept running out of the picture, but I love it!

Then our morning got a little crazy….

Savannah told me 5 minutes before church that she had a talk in primary.  I told her to write what she felt about the Savior and His sacrifice for all of us.  She wrote the whole talk by herself and it was an amazing testimony!  I am so proud of Savannah and what a strong spirit she has! 

We loaded the kids in the car, and I backed it out so Jason, with his hurt foot, could get in easier.  It seemed to be driving funny, and I remembered that the day before, when we drove to and from Jericho that Jason had mentioned the car was driving weird.  When I got out to take a look I saw our front tire completely FLAT.  We had to change our tire.  Me in heels, Jason with a hurt foot, and all of our kids loaded in the car.  It became stressful in a hurry, but I tried to keep everyone calm and eventually we were on our way to church. 

As the day went on, and I thought about what had happened, I realized that the tire must have been going flat the day before when we were driving through canyons, in the snow, on dirt roads, and basically in the middle of nowhere.  We drove in a rush to get Jason home when he was hurt.  We drove with the most precious cargo we have.  And we were safe.  There were no blow-outs.  No getting stranded out there in nothing-ville—in the middle of a snowstorm.  It was so meaningful and special for me to think about how much we are watched over and protected even when we don’t know we need protection.  I am so grateful for the weekend of miracles we enjoyed! 

After church we enjoyed a nice Easter dinner together.

A movie night together.

And yummy Strawberry Shortcake for dessert….Together!

Throughout the month leading up to Easter, we really tried to focus on the real reason for celebrating Easter.  It was wonderful to talk to our little family about all of the blessings we receive because of our Savior’s sacrifice.  I am so grateful for my family and the blessing we have to be together forever!!