easter weekend part 1

One thing that I love about having a blog is that I can write down memories as they happen. Not 9 months after the fact. Of course many details are forgotten after such a long time, so this is a great place for me to document the stories + the pictures and have a place to share them. There are many times when I am going about my day that I come up with brilliant things to write in my blog. I just wished those moments would actually happen when I am sitting down at my computer. Oh well, I move on.

So, after a relaxing Friday at home, we were geared up to spend lots of time with family during the rest of the holiday weekend. Andrew and I were shocked that we got out of the house Saturday morning at 9:30, ahead of schedule, to make the drive to his parents' house. The kids were eagerly anticipating a wonderful day spent with Oma and Opa, cousins, aunts and uncles. We saved our egg colouring for Saturday afternoon, so that was the first thing on the schedule of activities. After lunch our kids had everything set up and ready to go. Selah and Karis barely walked in the door before they were directed to their seat for the egg colouring.
It all went smoothly with no major egg mishaps. The girls enjoyed being creative with the crayons and making patterns on their eggs before the dyeing. Jesse napped during this part of the day.

We had time to relax after the egg colouring. Andrew included.

The kids enjoyed reading books on the couch.

I love seeing the older girls being able to read to the younger ones. And check out the pretty new Easter clothes. Even though it wasn't that warm out, the nice springy colours remind me that the warm weather is coming!

It was sunny and we all spent time enjoying the warm sunshine. I even got a few minutes to warm up as the kids played on the swings and did chalk. I really enjoyed seeing Selah and Nathaniel playing together. I don't often see them pair off and play. They were busy pretending that they were travelling to a monster island with the rest of their cousins. There were lots of giggles coming from the both of them.

And this is what all the kids were waiting for. Once the older cousins arrived and supper was done, they could finally have their Easter hunt. The oldest cousins made clues and the younger ones had to find the adults hiding around the house to receive their goodies. I was hiding out in the sewing room waiting for the giggles and running coming my way. I am thankful that our family doesn't do tons of chocolate and sweets. Just enough to make the kids happy and excited to have some treats. They were just as happy to receive markers and glitter glue. (Nathaniel tried putting the glitter glue on his lips the next day though. I guess he thought it looked like chapstick.)
And an Easter tradition...the paska. This little one just couldn't wait to have a piece. She was pretending to gobble it all up. It was yummy!