Is it May yet?

This is long past due. Easter came and went, very quickly and quietly I might add. It was just our small little family of 6 this year. It started out the Thursday before when we decided to see the Easter Pageant at the Mesa Temple. This was a first for all of us. Nathan really enjoyed seeing all the characters walking around before the show and petting all the live animals. He kept asking when the "movie" was going to start, then when it did, kept asking when is was going to be over! Crazy kid! The girls loved it, as did Jeff and I, and we have all decided it will become a yearly tradition. 

 
 

Easter morning came bright and beautiful.  The morning started with a leisurely egg hunt (church doesn't start until 1:30!) - each looked for their own name, counted out 20 eggs and then proceeded to open all of them in the family room. Easter baskets were hidden and found, new dresses and ties were adorned (no pictures - what's wrong with me!)  At church the girls, along with 20 other Activity Day girls sang I Wonder When He Comes Again during sacrament and brought everyone to tears.  It was so fun to see our three up there, smiling, singing, sweet.

I did cook a very large ham again this year, (that is now portioned out and either given away or frozen) and the funny part is, we don't particularly LIKE ham.  Tradition will out I guess.)  We ate, played games and ended the night with a new movie from one of the Easter baskets.  We had a great day, I always fear my kids will only see the commercial side of this holiday, but truth be told, when prayers were said that night there was no mention of the Easter Bunny, baskets, candy or presents.  Each one of my darlings thanked their Heavenly Father for Christ's sacrifice and the blessing of an eternal family that it brings.  I am so proud of my babies, so proud that they are learning, so relieved that lessons ARE being heard and not just a giant fight that begins and ends with prayer.