Easter Celebration!

We had a great Easter celebration last week! Easter couldn't have come at a better time for us this year. It was really good for us to focus on God's redeeming work in our lives, even in the midst of turmoil. Plus, we just had a ton of fun together as a family.

The Easter weekend kicked off with Scott getting off work early on Friday and making a surprise appearance at our playdate at a park. And I was extra-glad he made it because there was a whole school of 2nd graders at this park for a field trip or something and things were a little chaotic for our (almost) 3 year olds on the playground.

On Saturday, we headed out to the lake to spend the day with Scott's family. His parents' neighborhood association was hosting an egg hunt that morning. And it was like an egg hunt on steroids! Not only did they have tons of eggs filled with coveted candy, but they were giving out tons of real toys too. We came home the proud owners of a new beach ball, two packs of Toy Story crayons, several stuffed animals, and a play diaper bag for dolls.

Then we went back to Mimi and Poppy's house for lunch, egg-dying, a super festive confetti egg party, and a basket hunt for the kiddos and the grown-up kids too!

The four of us headed to church on Sunday morning and then to our 2nd annual family Easter brunch at Satellite cafe. Yum. Followed by a day of resting and playing outside.

My favorite part of Easter came that night at dinner. Hudson loves to say the prayer before we eat, and he amazes me how he thinks of such appropriate things to pray without any prompting. I really think that kid has the gift of prayer. Anyway, this was his prayer that night: "Dear God, thank you for this food. Thank you for dying on the cross. Thank you for being alive. Amen." It was so sweet and genuine, I got a little weepy. (But really, that's not saying much these days.)

All in all, God used this Easter weekend to remind me of all the reasons I have to celebrate. Mostly, Jesus. And His victory.

"...In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." ~John 16:33

4 of the 5 Ela cousins: Amber, Avery, Hudson & Harper

My little man and me

Harper and me. Yes, it was windy.

I love this picture of Harper and Amber!

Egg-dying in full force

Kimbra and me with Ellie, our newest family member!

Before church. I actually left my camera at the lake on Saturday, 

so this is my cell phone picture of Easter morning.

OK, this wasn't technically Easter. But I felt bad that Scott 

wasn't in any of the pictures, so I threw in this one for him.