Easter 2016

 The children wanted to do something special for our rabbit's first Easter. I asked my creative friend, Katie, what she thought and we ended up having a photo shoot at her house with Marshmallow as the star photo prop.  He did great!  I was so worried he would do something in an agitated state like bite their two month old baby girl, but all was well!  Here are my 4 favorites.  I am grateful to Scott & Katie for helping me make this happen.  We were so busy on Easter Sunday it was nice to not have to worry about buying matching outfits or taking pictures.

In the morning the children were greeted with Easter baskets and an indoor Easter egg hunt.  The girls were totally in love with their $1 sunglasses.  Danny, on the other hand, was super excited he got Tic Tacs instead of hair clips.  lol.

After church we baked a cake for dessert.  Little did they know that later I would make them sing an Easter song to my parents before I let them eat it.  They sang "Hosanna," one of the two songs they sang in Sacrament meeting as part of the special Easter program.  Our neighbor Darrell came and watched the children sing.  Our family was so happy to have him there.  Later, D gave the talk in primary and did a great job reading in front of all those people.  I was so proud of him.

At dinnertime the cake was a huge success, even though I think we adults preferred the ham, potatoes, eggs, green beans, and salad more.  What a mess chocolate frosting can be.  Can you tell K really liked her sunglasses?  We did miss my cousin, who didn't come because she was sick.  Like my mother said, it wouldn't be a holiday unless someone in our family was ill.  Oh, humor.

That night as the children were falling asleep I played them every Easter song from the Children's Songbook.  It just didn't seem like enough of a testimony of the Savior and His resurrection to me, so I found this from the Hymnbook and wished them good night:

1. 1. I know that my Redeemer lives.
   What comfort this sweet sentence gives!
   He lives, he lives, who once was dead.
   He lives, my ever-living Head.
   He lives to bless me with his love.
   He lives to plead for me above.
   He lives my hungry soul to feed.
   He lives to bless in time of need.
2. 2. He lives to grant me rich supply.
   He lives to guide me with his eye.
   He lives to comfort me when faint.
   He lives to hear my soul's complaint.
   He lives to silence all my fears.
   He lives to wipe away my tears.
   He lives to calm my troubled heart.
   He lives all blessings to impart.
3. 3. He lives, my kind, wise heav'nly Friend.
   He lives and loves me to the end.
   He lives, and while he lives, I'll sing.
   He lives, my Prophet, Priest, and King.
   He lives and grants me daily breath.
   He lives, and I shall conquer death.
   He lives my mansion to prepare.
   He lives to bring me safely there.
4. 4. He lives! All glory to his name!
   He lives, my Savior, still the same.
   Oh, sweet the joy this sentence gives:
   "I know that my Redeemer lives!"
   He lives! All glory to his name!
   He lives, my Savior, still the same.
   Oh, sweet the joy this sentence gives:
   "I know that my Redeemer lives!"
   
   
   Text: Samuel Medley, 1738-1799. Included in the first LDS hymnbook, 1835.

   Music: Lewis D. Edwards, 1858-1921

And just like that, Easter was over.  In the next week we will next to pack up not only the Easter decorations but the entire first floor of the house in preparation for our wood floors to get a protective coat placed on them.  I am grateful my parents and the missionaries and my visiting teachers said they are willing to help!  Many hands make light work and keep that overwhelmed feeling away.