Easter Celebrations, 2017

We had a full week of celebrating Easter this year, and we really enjoyed ever part of it! 

Our first event was our very favorite annual egg hunt at the McDonnell's house!

We always start with a group shot of the kids as before they take off and start hunting (the only time we have true leverage!!)! What a cute group! 

Ellie is bottom right corner, Evan is all the way right, 2 kids above Ellie, and LJ is back row 3rd from left! Ellie's faces crack me up! 

 Silly faces! 

 And the hunt is on! 

  

 Trying to keep Ellie hunting and not just opening each egg was quite a task! 

 

Post-hunt: we sit and sort through all the treasured prizes found in the eggs! 

 

Confetti egg time! Charley getting Uncle B!  

Evan got me! 

 

This swing is too fun!!! We may need to invest in one soon! 

 Love Piper and Ellie in their similar dresses swinging together! So cute!! 

 

 

Then Blake and Ellie! She loved this thing! 

Thanks to the McDonnells for hosting another wonderful Egg Hunt!! 

The next morning, our church had a very special Palm Sunday service where kids came into the main room, and our pastor walked us through the last week of Christ together (a PG version of the story, obviously, for kids' sake). 

Each family gathered a tray of items to taste, smell, or feel as the story was told. It was pretty special, although a bit chaotic with all the kids and noise! 

 We put Ellie in the regular child care since we didn't think she would grasp what was happening! The boys were so excited to be with us in 'big church', and I hope they learned something! 

 Ren- apparently NOT enjoying the taste of something! Hah! 

Since the kids didn't have school on Good Friday, I hosted a small egg hunt at my house for some of LJ's Kinder friends and their siblings. It was very relaxed but lots of fun! Kids ready to take off! 

 Ellie on the hunt... 

 LJ got filled up his basket bast! 

 Ellie wanted to open up each egg before hunting for another one... this did not allow her to get many eggs! Haha! 

 

Evan on the prowl! 

And finally - Easter Morning!! Evan was the first downstairs and immediately went to work looking for where the Easter bunny hid his basket... and he found it----On the butler's pantry!! Yay! 

 LJ's was on top of the piano- it took him a little longer to find his! 

And Ellie's was in the pantry! 

Three happy kids sorting through their stuff! 

 

After a little playing and eating breakfast, we headed to church. I volunteered in Kids' Ministry so didn't get to attend service with everyone, but we had a great morning. 

Love how cute they look today!! 

 After the service at church, they opened up the playground (zoned into 4 spaces for different age groups of kids) for an egg hunt! 

 Ellie finally has this hunting thing down, and in true Ellie form, she is on a mission!! 

Trying so hard to open an egg! haha! 

 Capi did so wonderful helping all the kids hunt!! This is the first year we have had him around for Easter, and it was very special!! 

 

Silly! 

 Opening the eggs! 

 

Can't get these kids to wear what I pick many days a year (they insist on dressing themselves!!), but today they dressed for me!! Happy heart- I love these little monkeys so much!!

 

Loved having Capi and Gigi with us!!! Thanks for coming to church with us, spending the weekend there, and participating so wholeheartedly in all the fun!!!

And most importantly.... HE has Risen!!! 

Grateful beyond imagine.