Easter Peeps

Up early, loaded with sugar, and ready for church on Easter Sunday. Here are our four men and a little lady! We had a non-stop Easter weekend: 

We started on Saturday, with an egg hunt at Grandma's house. (Twenty-six grandkids to compete with.) I had the camera zoomed in on Zach, since I saw him heading to his basket first. He was going right towards it. And then walked right past it. Look under the slide, Zach! 

Awhile later the kids had found their baskets, collected some more eggs, and then enjoyed the spoils. (I skipped about a hundred pictures here.) 

Even this little guy found his first Easter basket.

Then on Sunday morning, we woke the kids up early since our church starts at 9. The Easter Bunny did, in fact, find our house again.  The older boys got cool Lego Ninjago sets and a load of candy.

Nicole and Greg got fun sleeping bags. There were cheers all around.

Greg sure likes Peeps. Every time we saw him he was in a new location, eating a new Peep. Ben was running the camera, and every few pictures there was one of Greg eating Peeps. That boy can put down a lot of candy. Perhaps his parents should have intervened.

Joshie woke up to his first Easter basket (or was this his second?) and was really interested in his big chocolate bunny. I have a strict "no-sweets" policy until he's one though, so I might have to help him with his bunny. That's a shame. 

Time for church! Here's Nicole in her new Easter dress. She chose the fabric and pattern, and she helped with her little brothers while I sewed. I wondered halfway through if it was worth the trouble (those sleeves were a pain). But now she is soooo happy with her special dress. Yes, it was worth it. One of our friends said, "She looks like sunshine!" 

The monkey got a matching dress too. (Nicole is not spoiled. I am.)

Joshie's happy wearing his Sunday best.

And here's Mom.  

(Josh is trying to find the necklace I took out of his mouth.) 

And Dad. 

(Hey! Why is he happier with his dad?) 

Church was wonderful, and afterward the kids agreed to pose once more. Notice how well boys follow instructions. At least Nicole is looking at the camera! (We have ten other shots just like this.)  But I love our handsome boys of course. They keep life exciting. 

We finally got around to dyeing eggs on Sunday night.  

The kids like to use a crayon first, to write their names and decorate. 

Then they add color. Greg is the only one who really needed help this year. I can't believe how much they are all growing up. We have some silly traditions but we're finding out how much the kids rely on them, and they don't want us to skip a single thing. These will be special memories someday. I hope we can continue being as blessed as we are. We are truly grateful for each of our children, our lives, the Gospel, our family, our friends, our home, and the peaceful land we live in. We have so much. Life is good! 

And Greg?  He's still eating candy.