Easter 2014

Easter 2014 was remarkable... especially compared to Easter 2013 when O had a visit from ED (explosive diarrhea) that fountained out of his diaper. ED did not show up this year, and we were grateful! We did miss our church's egg hunt because O was recovering from his pneumonia, but I think that was a blessing because it leaked out to stltoday.com, and 1000 people came and consumed 1300 hot dogs. It was pure chaos apparently.

We attempted an egg hunt at Mima and Papa Wade's church, but they weren't doing an egg hunt. They were actually teaching kids about Jesus.. can you even believe?!!?? =) Great idea, but too 'old' for our young kids. Ava sure did look great in her Sunday best, though.

Carson & Owen showed up in the same shirt... my little boy just adores his big cousin.

And I'm also a pretty big fan of Carson. He's a great role model.

On the Saturday before Easter, Owen and got to dye eggs while Millie was sleeping. That was a special treat for him & damage control for me! I had 3 left over colors from my PAAS pack from last year, so that's what we used. I know, I'm lame. But he didn't know any different.

Multi-tasking.

Daddy showing him how to do multiple colors!

Perfectly and delicately placing his eggs.

I think he did a great job!

The Easter bunny went with a 'beach accessory' theme in anticipation of our upcoming trip to Maui.

The Easter bunny also shopped in the dollar section at target.

In an effort to try to put a little meaning in to the kids gifts, I made super hero capes. O had seen these in a Family Fun magazine and asked for one. I couldn't leave Millie out, though! They were suuuuper easy. I can do anything with straight lines!

 

O loves his. Millie hates hers. For now, anyway!

Little red riding hood.

Finally A woke up on Easter morning ready for a little fun herself.

Bedhead basket. She wasn't as interested in hunting for eggs.. more so just eating

what she found inside!

Next came he impossible.. trying to get a picture of the 2 of them together. O was trying to corral her here, but I thought it was still a cute pic. Mike says getting pictures of the kids together is the hardest task known to man! 

Goof.

Cutie.

Excited to experience church at Powell Symphony Hall!

 

Here's a before shot of the musicians warming up at Powell. Mike and I were volunteering that morning so we got a little sneak peak. It was a powerful service celebrating the resurrection of Jesus, and the grandiosity of the setting certainly enhanced (my) emotions. The service also included a testimony from 2 parents who lost their son at 13 months. They talked about how without Jesus, all hope would be completely gone for them. In Christ there is a tomorrow and they know their Ollie is playing in heaven. This was followed by a laaaarge black man singing 'How Great Thou Art'.

Water.works.

We followed church up with a fabulous brunch at Mima & Papa Cooper's house. Five days after the end of tax season, my mom was gracious enough to host our family, Mima & Papa Wade, and The Nieders clan. It was SO nice to be all together as one big family, and I appreciate my folks' hosting!

Uncle Steven can not get enough of these kids, too.

Reaching for bubbles.

 

Playing in the garden.

Running from Papa.

Scaling the Wall.

Making new friends.

 

Easter ended with Owen's dream come true: A spin around the block in Uncle Steven's orange mustang.

 

I am so grateful for Jesus; His life, death, and resurrection. And I am (literally) eternally grateful to celebrate Him on Easter instead of the easter bunny. I am grateful for a family that joined us at our church for an Easter celebration, and I am so grateful for a church community that I love and adore.

Happy belated Easter to all of you!