Easter Weekend

I love Holidays.

I love to make them special for my children.  I thank my mother for that.

Saturday morning we had some egg-shaped muffins.

We dyed Easter eggs.

Eliza was a little TOO excited.  She screamed for another egg as soon as she dropped the egg in the dye.

So we finally gave her some plastic eggs to play with.

The egg hunt.  I was impressed.  Eliza only cracked 4 of the 19 eggs.

(Note Stan's beautiful new garden beds--since I keep forgetting to take pictures of him working on them)

The spoils.

Oh Eliza, your mischievous face make me laugh.  A nervous laugh.

Sunday morning Miriam and I woke to Eliza throwing a tantrum that Daddy wouldn't let her eat ALL of her Easter candy.  It's no surprise that a few minutes later Stan was muttering how sometimes he wishes we were of the faith that didn't celebrate holidays.  This might have also been soon after Miriam consumed some of her candy and began the sugar rush.  Sugar affects kids.  Period.

My attempts to get picture with the girls in their dresses, BOTH looking at the camera.

Almost.  

That evening we went to my brother's house for family dinner and two of the Aunts put on an Easter egg hunt for all the cousins.

Cousin Gemma was too cute with her bunny ears. 

 I would be remiss if I didn't express my gratitude for the real reason for the holiday, our Savior, Jesus Christ.  I am so grateful for his Atonement and Resurrection.  Because of Him, I know that we can live again, in perfected bodies (which I look forward to).  Because of Him, I know that I can see my mother again someday.  I look forward to that reunion.

Cousins' Weekend

One of the things I love about living close to some of my family is Miriam getting to know some of her cousins. 

Not to mention it's nice to be able to have family babysitters nearby. 

This time it was our turn to babysit some cousins, Menley (8) and Savannah (6), while mom and dad went out of town for the weekend.

Miriam had a ball with them. 

Friday night we also had Miriam's friends Anna and Van over while their mom and dad went out on a date.  It was a kid-filled evening of fun.

After some pizza, they played outside.

It was nice to have the older kids here.  Finally Stan and I weren't the only ones big enough to pull kids in the wagon!

 After jammies were on, it was movie time.  The kids want to pull out the bean bags and I told them only if they shared and didn't fight over them. 

This is how they figured out how to make it work:

 

Saturday we played around the house and at the park while Stan slaved away putting dirt in his new garden beds. (Of course somehow I always forget to take pictures of him working on it!)

It was fun to watch Savannah read books to Miriam.  She's only 6, but can read pretty well for her age.

Sunday was St. Patrick's Day, so we had some green biscuits and gravy.

  I don't think Menley was too thrilled.

It was a fun weekend and I'm glad the cousins got to come and play!