Easter 2012

Our Easter weekend was jam packed full of celebrations!  On the Saturday before Easter we drove down to Nana Judy and Popi Dave's house in Apple Valley.  The boys were excited to see that the Easter Bunny had left behind baskets and eggs full of goodies!

Owen found his basket hidden behind the end table - that tricky bunny!

Cole couldn't wait to take a look at all the cool things the bunny had left for him.  But first he had to give Mom one smile for the camera.  These days he's sporting a signature smile of scrunched nose, squinted eyes, and clenched teeth...

The bunny brought both of them some new stylish shades...

They sure hit the jackpot this year!

Great Nana Dineen and Cole

After everyone was done looking through their baskets, Nana Judy discovered a note that the Easter Bunny had left behind.  It was the first of many clues leading them on a scavenger hunt throughout the house and eventually to quite a treasure... a new water table!

But that wasn't the end of the gifts... soon Easter Baskets from Great Nana and Great Popi Dineen appeared!

 Cole especially enjoyed his new fire engine...

 

And Owen thought his new transformer was pretty cool...

Then we headed outside for an Easter Egg hunt...

Aunt Donna and Cole

Jaden and Owen

After such an exciting day, we were lucky enough to wake up early the next day and do it all over again!  On Easter Morning, we put on our best duds and headed off to church.

Church was packed and we were lucky just to find a place to sit.  Many people were walking in carrying their own chair!  It was great to see so many people there to celebrate.  After church, Owen wanted to grab a bite to eat at his favorite restaurant - "the bagel store" (a.k.a. Bruegger's).

Then it was time to go home and dye the Easter Eggs (better late than never!!)  Owen used a fun tie-dye paint on his eggs...

And Cole thought he'd try to color his with a crayon, although he had more fun spinning the egg in circles...

Somehow we were able to get the boys to take their naps before looking for Easter Baskets.  After naps they were well rested and up for the challenge.  Cole woke up first, so he was able to enjoy his Easter Egg hunt without an excited 4 year old pushing him out of the way.  Cole loved the goodies that the bunny left for him...

He had a great time looking high and low for his Easter Eggs.  And he, of course, had to eat the chocolate treat in each egg along the way...

Then it was Owen's turn.  He quickly found his basket...

And then all his eggs, eating each treat as he found it!

Then we all headed outside to play with the new toys the bunny had brought!

We had a wonderful time celebrating this very special day!

Jesus Christ is risen today, Alleluia!
Our triumphant holy day, Alleluia!
Who did once upon the cross, Alleluia!
Suffer to redeem our loss. Alleluia!