Easter 2011

Ok...so this is embarrasing.
It is quarter to eleven at night and I am just trying to catch up on my blog. I downloaded all the pics that I wanted and then began to write but then realized, after I had done lots of writing that some of my favorite pictures were missing. :( I am not techy enough to figure out how to add pics back into a blog so my options were to start over or just add some random pics to the beginning of my post...I know...ghettttt-ohhh!
But I am so tired and just wanna complete SOMETHING on my to-do list today.

So, here you have it: the most confusing post I have ever posted for your viewing pleasure- or not. Just use your imagination! Sorry!

Oliver helped my mom call everyone for Easter dinner.

Gracie got some tickles from Grandpa. I don't know who enjoys it more!


Darragh and Elliott

Emma, 5 days out from neck surgery, trying to catch some candy in her mouth. Don't let her doctor see this!

I don't think she got any candy but we all had a good laugh :)

Using the self timer to get a shot of all the egg hunters.

I am so blessed to be a part of this fun family!

Cousin Buddies

Darragh gets a turn with Uncle Benny

Life is pretty good for this cutie!

The kids in our family are so blessed to have this guy as their uncle. He makes sure that each one of them know that thy are loved and valued by him.

Look what the girls found in their eggs!

So, this is the original beginning to the post. Hope you are not too confused to enjoy :)
Everything, except maybe sleeping, is more fun when you have kids.

Especially holidays.

Of course we are super new to this but I figured that at least this year, Oliver would probably be able to help (and appreciate) dying eggs and understand the concept of the Easter egg hunt. Next year, I am looking forward to being able to teach him the real meaning of Easter.

Here we are all set to go. Besides the occasional painting or play-dough activity, we don't really "do crafts" yet so I was not sure how this would go. I was amazed at Oliver's attention span and with the exception of a few incidents, his patience with the whole waiting part of dying eggs. Overall, it was a very positive experience and it made me excited about doing more projects with my kids. Well, one of them at least :)

It is amazing how fast little kid brains absorb information. By the time this project was over, Ollie pretty much knew all the colors!

We kept it simple and only did one color per egg. Surprisingly, they turned out very pretty.

Serious work going on here, folks.

We went home to Marin for Easter Sunday and they do a really fun egg hunt in the garden after church. Here is Ollie waiting to be let out for his very first egg hunt.

He didn't quite get it at first but with enough over-enthusiastic prompting from Sean and I, he finally picked up the random egg that was on the ground :)

"Uh...now what?"

"Oh, I see. I get to throw it into the fountain! This IS a great idea!"

He eventually got the hang of it and had a good time.

Family picture, courtesy of Emma.

After church we went back to my parents home for more fun in Grandma's garden with all the cousins. By now, Ollie was a pro.

Peeking over the fence into my mom's beautiful garden. I LOVE this place and always come away feeling inspired to go home and work in my own yard.

I asked Judah to smile for me and he gave me this face.

Cute, but then I asked him for a "real smile"...

...and he gave me this! By the way, how cute is his outfit?

The garden was in full springtime bloom!

Emma, 5 days after her surgery and looking mighty fine :)

Gracie Girl and Darragh.
Looking beautiful but quite grown up in their Easter dresses.
I love these girls!

Judah demonstrates the appropriate spirit in which the Easter egg hunt should be conducted.

Mr. Enthusiastic!Speaking of enthusiasm, there were extra special eggs hidden by Grandma.

What is inside?

For me?!!! I love it!!!

Auntie Emma always makes time to play with my boys...even if it is driving cars on the floor.

The end of a wonderful day full of gratitude and joy. Happy Easter!