Easter 2011

Having just arrived home from our week at the beach, it was a little difficult getting back to reality and the fact that Easter was the NEXT day! Despite all of that, the Easter bunny managed to bring some goodies and we got to celebrate our risen Lord and Savior with family and friends.



Although I knew it would be difficult to do baskets and still make it to the early service (thankfully pushed to 9:30am instead of 9am) we had to, because my mom and I were scheduled to keep the 2 year-olds for the second service. So, I managed to get up a little earlier and get the kids dressed (all but the big kid) BEFORE we saw what was in their baskets. Then, they got to play with what was in their baskets while I got ready for church. It worked out quite well. Plus, mom and dad came so we could get some family pictures before heading to church since it would probably be the only time with all of us still dressed up! After pictures, we headed to church. The service was packed - all the way into TWO overflow rooms! It was a great message that focused on when God told Abraham to sacrifice Isaac, his only son, and how that story parallels what God did for us with His Son, Jesus. Only, God really DID sacrifice His own Son for US so that we could spend eternity with Him. Thankfully, we know that Jesus conquered death and reigns in heaven with His Father and wants to have a relationship with US. It truly is amazing.


After the service, mom and I got ready and went to the two year old classroom. Well, we waited and waited but no one ever showed up so the director released us to go home. It's strange because usually the second service is packed but on Easter Sunday, the second service wasn't overflowing at all. Well, we appreciated that we got to go ahead and head home and get dinner together. My mom had spent the majority of the day before cooking and prepping for dinner, it just needed to be cooked and heated. We had ham, cornish game hen, squash casserole, green bean casserole, stuffing, a pineapple casserole, not to mention the appetizers - artichoke dip, veggie tray, queso, and more. It was quite the spread and it was yummy. For dessert we got to choose between strawberry pie and peanut butter pie. I was so excited because I'd been craving some of my mom's strawberry pie and it didn't disappoint. Our friends Tim and Michelle and their daughters Andrea and KerrieAnn came for dinner and we had a wonderful afternoon. After we finished eating, we all watched Ellie's new movie Tangled. Shortly after the movie was over, Tim and Michelle and girls headed home. The kids and I stayed a little longer but left in time to get Ian showered and ready for bed since he had school the next day. It really was a wonderful Easter Sunday.



Oh, I don't know how but I almost forgot to mention the Easter egg hunt! My parents had filled around 55 eggs with goodies - not to mention 1 dollar bills! So, after everyone arrived, they let Ellie go first to get some eggs, then Ian, then the "big" kids (Josh, Andrea and Kerrie Ann). KerrieAnn was the only one fortunate enough to end up with a dollar in every one of the eggs she got! I think they all enjoyed the hunt and a little extra cash in their pockets!