Easter Weekend

We have had a busy, busy weekend! Since school was closed on Friday, I took off of work to watch the kids and Camden (only for the morning).  Mason and Camden played so well together that it allowed me to get a couple chores done around the house.  

The boys had a great time driving the Jeep around the yard until it died.

My little artist stayed busy painting:

  It was a picture perfect day:

 Not a cloud in the sky!

 We decided to enjoy a picnic lunch in the front yard. 

 After a couple minutes, Mason told me, "It too bright.  Want my glasses."

 

Birdie picked Camden up after lunch and we went inside for naps.  That evening, we went over to Mimi and Papa's house to celebrate an early Easter.  As I was getting out of the shower, I noticed my closet door was closed.  I went to open it and realized it was locked. I called the kids in the bathroom and asked who locked the door (although I had my suspicions).  Mason exclaimed, "I did it!" Figures.

So bad! 

 Daddy and his helpers.

 

Since we were running out of time before dinner, I managed to find a pair of jeans, an old t-shirt and wet flip flops (I had washed the car earlier that afternoon) to wear.  Glamorous, I know.  But it was better than wearing pajamas!

 

 For some reason, there was a locked door handle on my closet door when we bought the house.  I've never bothered to change the knob because I didn't anticipate it being a problem until then.  We didn't have a key and Justin insisted he could get it unlocked without calling a locksmith.  Several hours later and after purchasing a new drill bit set, Justin broke the lock!

 

At Mimi and Papa's house, we enjoyed a wonderful dinner and then the kids went outside to hunt their eggs (with butterfly nets - of course!).  They ended up with $5 in quarters each.  Talk about some heavy eggs!

 Opening Easter goodies.

 Saturday was another busy day.  That morning, we crossed our fingers that the rain would hold off and joined some friends for an egg hunt.  Daddy had to go to Marianna to help Papa haul items back from the hunting lease so it was just the kids and I.  Mrs. Kim (who I met through Betsy) had graciously agreed to host our event out at their family's property.  It was the perfect setting.   

I owe Betsy I big thank you for taking (and sharing) these pictures: 

 Surprise - guess who is crying?!

Back row (left to right): Elijah, Ava, Koby, Kate, Kyndall

Front Row: Ian, Annelise, Paige, Addison and Mason

 I had a great time catching up with all these ladies and it was so good to see Ashleigh Anne too!

Back row (left to right): Ashleigh-Anne, Leah (a new friend), Sarah, Kim

Front row: Angie, Jennifer, Betsy and me

 We had so much fun and came home with lots of eggs!

 

Later that afternoon, we went over to my parents house for another egg hunt and cookout.  Two in one day! As soon as we arrived, we dyed some eggs.  It's not Easter without dying a few eggs!

 So pretty!

 Goofing off.

Before the egg hunt began, we took a few family pictures:

 

 And then we were off - big kids included!  One thing I have never been good at is hunting eggs.  I'm terrible at it and I'm not sure why. We were only a few minutes in and I had only found two eggs while everyone else had at least 8-10. Uncle Jordan and Aunt Katie scooped up the most eggs with money (including the golden eggs) but Kate found the two big eggs with some Chick-fil-a gifts cards the Evers family didn't walk away empty handed.

 Mason decided he wasn't hunting and drove the Jeep around the yard instead. 

 Getting help from Nanny.

 

Counting up their loot.

 

Easter Sunday was another busy day. The Easter Bunny dropped off a few treats for the kids so they opened those first thing.  

 

Easter goodies!

 

 We went to church with Mimi and Papa and enjoyed an outside service, brunch and yet another egg hunt. Barry Hartin (my former youth minister) did the lesson and called all the kids up front.  He gave them each a green egg, an orange egg and a purple egg and then told them when to open each one. 

The green egg had a cross inside to remind us that Jesus died on the cross.  The orange egg had a rock inside to remind us that Jesus was buried in a tomb.  The purple egg had nothing in it to remind us that He has risen!  It was a really neat idea to briefly teach/remind them of the story of Jesus's death, burial and resurrection.

 

After the service and brunch, we took a couple pictures before the egg hunt began! 

 

 

 After church, we went to the University Club for our annual lunch with my family and the Olks.  I look forward to it every year - what a treat!  The Club does such a great job catering to families.  They had wonderful food, an indoor play area, the Easter Bunny came to visit (but my kids were both petrified to go near him), face painting and animal balloons.

 Waiting patiently for their balloon animals.

 Kate picked the same things as last year - she wanted to be a "Mermaid Princess" and she wanted a flower balloon with a ladybug on it.

 Mason picked a puppy dog balloon animal.

 

 We had a fantastic Easter and as Kate said, "This was the best Easter ever!"