Happy Easter!

We had such a wonderful weekend. We ate, and shopped, and enjoyed each other so much. The egg hunt at church was a great success on Saturday morning and then the rest of Saturday was spent shopping for Easter clothes and last minute bunny stuff and of course the groceries for Easter dinner. I love the family dinners when we all gather around the dining room table and visit and spend time together enjoying conversation. It was just so nice.

Ellie got to color some eggs while we were preparing dinner and soon after dinner they were hidden with quite a few more and we had a little Easter egg hunt in the backyard after dinner for the grandbabies. Which this year mean't...Ellie. She "spied" every egg that Pa, I mean the Easter Bunny hid. Even the ones I said were to high and hidden for her to ever see. It was so fun. Every egg was like the first. Sure wish we would embrace every new day like it was the first of many exciting days, don't you. That's a good reason to have all these fun things for the babies. It brings new life back to our weary bones. Gotta love it.

About an hour ago, one by one, they started packing up their cars to start the trek home. I always feel like I'm letting go again when they leave. Even Landon, Sarah and the babies have gone home, just tuckered out. It was a big weekend. I loved every moment of it. Every moment.

Ellie at the Church Egg Hunt, hunting for her and Gray. Check out the tutu and slosher boots!

Ellie,Gray & Addie in their Easter clothes. So pretty and handsome!

Ellie "spying" eggs in the backyard. She's wearing one of Pa's tshirts so she could color eggs and eat jelly beans! She did find those eggs way up there in the hanging pot! She did it!

One of my favorite moments of the weekend was a tradition I have. I prepare Bunny Baskets and deliver them to my kids and grandbabies and from year to year, a few others. I always work on them late into the night and get up early, way before sunrise, and start my drive dropping them off on front porches, then watch the sunrise on my way home and talk to Jesus about this wonderful life He gave me and soak in resurrection day. This small simple, and not very spiritual act, has become a very precious moment for me. It started 25 years ago or so when on Easter morning on my way to wake up the kids for church, I spotted something out of the corner of my eye on the back porch. As I peeked out the door, there were these totally fun filled Easter baskets left by the Easter Bunny! I had never had that happen in all my years! I was so excited I ran with all the glee of a kid myself to wake the kids to come quick and see! There was such excitement in the air. I loved it. They loved it. It continued for years until the Easter Bunny got tired cause grandkids kept being born and the family was growing and spreading out. So at some point, maybe when we moved away for the first time, I took over being the bunny helper. Even college dorms! That was fun! And now I'm carrying on the tradition with my own grandbabies. This morning I was thinking of how excited Ellie would be when she found her basket of goodies and it made me think of how excited Nanny must have been that first year, filling those baskets and sneaking around as not to be discovered. Just as I am now. The thought brought a smile to my face and my heart as I drove along. It was a simple tradition started all those years ago that has brought joy year after year. I wouldnt trade that memory for anything in the world. I will cherish it forever.

Thanks Mama, I love you. I miss you.