Happy Easter!

These dashing boys have a hold on my heart....


This one, who is thoughtful, sweet and sincere

This one, who is sensitive, kind and fun loving

Even this one, who was not the most cooperate about the photo shoot...  He is tentative, silly and sweet as sugar

and this tiny one, who is tender and full of mischief and spunk.

they are my darlings....

I love them all... I love every little thing that makes them who they are.  Through the good times and the bad times I love them.  I am not a perfect mom and sometimes I wonder if I am cut out for the task- The incredible task of raising these boys who came straight from heaven... I am grateful that I do not have to be perfect, that they love me anyway...that I can work at it and that my Savior makes up the difference.  I am grateful that because of Him and through Him,  I can be with my family forever and that is what Easter is all about.  That is why it is my favorite holiday.

For THAT reason.... and for several other reasons as well...traditions, spring times, egg hunts, egg dying, egg salad sandwiches, baskets, tulips, colors, candy! All of that wrapped together is what I love about Easter!  Here are a few of our Easter traditions and happenings this year...

Easter Picnic

Every year since I can remember my mom's family has an Easter picnic.  When I was younger we always went up Green Canyon and had a bonfire, a pinata and a Easter egg hunt.  We usually went on a hike and just enjoyed exploring and being together.  But for the past several years (like 10) it has been too cold and snow covered to even think about the canyon and so we have had the picnic at my grandparents house, back by the garden or huddled around the wood burning stove in Grandpa's shop... always with a big bonfire, a hot dog roast, deviled eggs, salads... you know, pot luck style.  The kids love hunting for treats (everyone brings something to hide for all the kids) and we of course still enjoy just being together.  Last year, since my Grandpa was sick we had the picnic at our house...He came and pulled the car right up near the fire but had to stay inside where it was warm.  This year we had it here at our place again and now that Grandpa is gone it is just not the same... that is how most holidays feel around here when we all get together- like something is missing- Grandpa is missing.  Although we know where he is and we still love getting together there is something bitter sweet about our traditions.  There is something bitter sweet about death.  I miss my Grandpa, I miss hearing his voice calling me "Emily girl." At our Eater picnic I missed Grandpa's black baked potatoes hot from the fire. I always miss him.  I am so grateful for the memories and the love- that is what keeps us all together and carrying on these traditions of ours- because life goes on and we continue to build memories even with change... we enjoy, we laugh, we live, we remember and even though things feel different we make the best of it.

 The kids lined up ready for the Easter Hunt...

My cousin Jarin got pretty tricky with his hiding and Eli had to climb high to reach the prize

Elsa and Oliver.  

They are the best of friends. Just four months apart!  

She likes to "help" him and is a little mother already. 

Easter Bunny and coloring eggs

The Saturday before Easter we usually go the local market where they give out treats and get the chance to meet the Easter Bunny.  Gabe was disappointed because it was a "man-bunny" I told him maybe it was a girl bunny?.... and he said "no, mom (duh) a man was inside the bunny!"

Saturday night we made resurrection rolls ( my friend shared her recipe with me!) We talked about the last week of our Saviors life.  His atonement, his death and sacrifice for all of us.  When the rolls were done we talked about the empty tomb ... the rolls were empty inside after we baked them.  We talked about the resurrection as we enjoyed the hot cinnamon caramelized rolls.... they were fabulous and will be added to our traditions every year from now on!

Then we colored Easter Eggs- EIGHT dozen of them...

I love this picture of Ollie

 and this is how he really poses for the camera... scrunched up face, eyes closed all the while saying Cheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeese.... kind of cute but mostly it drives me crazy!

Easter Morning

The boys woke up to jelly bean trails all over the floor....and their names written out too!  They were so excited to start the day and quickly came upstairs to wake Glen and I.  they climbed in bed with us and we read the account of the first Easter from the scriptures.  We talked about that first Easter morning and how the Savior was resurrected... He had risen!  A nice start to the day but pretty soon Oliver and Gabe started getting restless and were ready to GO- so we all followed the jelly bean trails downstairs... 

The Easter Bunny left a few gifts by their names AND the following clue....

They had to go several places ( including outside...brrrrr!) to look for clues in plastic eggs that would lead them to their Easter baskets

They LOVED following the clues and were so excited when they finally found their baskets!

They dumped everything out, ate lots of candy and treats and played for awhile.

Gabe and Oliver have decided that candy is a lot more fun to scoop than sand!  Eli suggested we get a  sandbox filled with candy.... every kid's dream come true!

We warmed the resurrection rolls from the night before and ate them for breakfast.

And then the boys were ready to start hunting for the eggs that the Easter bunny had hidden all around the house...

As I prepared a few things for our Easter dinner that we were having that night with my brother and his family, the boys got out their Easter duds and once we were all ready we headed off to church. The day was filled with lots of love, plenty of fun and way too many SWEETS!...  

A Happy Easter for sure!