Easter Celebration

We had a long and joyful Easter celebration, culminating in a warm and sunny Easter Sunday!  It was a beautiful way to rejoice in our Risen Lord and welcome Spring at the same time.  (At least, we think we're finally welcoming her, since it hasn't snowed in a week...)

Eli's parents came into town on Thursday and we celebrated Sandi's birthday by going out to dinner.  Then we started Good Friday in a very good way by playing in the kiddie pool at a hotel!  Caleb was a bit hesitant at first, but once the beach ball was blown up he couldn't be kept away from the pool.   He also loved watching the bubbles in the hot tub: "Bubbles, bubbles, bubbles!"

The Good Friday service at church was beautiful, complete with bluegrass music!  There was a banjo, mandolin, and upright bass on stage among other instruments.  There was even a melodica.  It was artistic and creative and we loved it.  Eli was on-call that day but made it to church halfway through the service and it was the first time in a long time that we were able to worship together and take communion together.

On Saturday we went back to church for an Easter Egg Hunt.  I particularly enjoyed all the chocolate chip cookies while Caleb was partial to the balloon animals.  His animal began its life as a dog and looked more like a worm by the time we left.  Caleb also loved the actual Easter Egg Hunt.  He's currently learning how to count and was in his glory counting the eggs over and over again.  He's also learning his colors and he thought every egg was either blue or yellow :)

And this boy had lots of extra snuggling and cuddling while Grandma and Grandpa were here!

We awoke Easter morning to a downright beautiful day.  We spent awhile playing on the deck.  It was the first time Caleb has worn his shades this year and he thought he was pretty hot stuff :)

We played a lot with this Avengers ball.  He's really getting the grasp of throwing a ball and he yells "Catch!" whenever he throws it.  (On a sidenote, Caleb said "Avengers" for the first time this past weekend, which we definitely consider a milestone :)  He also knows who all the Avengers are and can tell you which is which.  We are delightfully pleased with this!)

And even without snow, there's still ample opportunity for shoveling in this kid's mind.

Finally it was time for Easter baskets!  I made an egg trail up the stairs with one jellybean in each egg.  Caleb never had jellybeans before.  We learned two things: 1) putting candy inside the eggs makes the journey to the Easter baskets go painfully slow, and 2) this kid isn't as adept at chewing/swallowing jellybeans as he is M&Ms.  Definitely shoulda gone with M&MS.

But the boys were happy with their haul once they found it.  Kai loves his pinwheel and thoroughly drooled on it and has all but destroyed it by now.  Caleb loves Kai's new football and has made it known that it really should belong to him.  He also loves the new giant soccer ball, which I am deciding whether or not to regret giving to him.

    

Kai rounded out the day with a blowout.  So he got to enjoy some naked time afterwards.  He didn't mind at all :)

And for some reason I was particularly enamored with his little bare feet all afternoon.  They're so soft and so wiggly!  I love the way his toes curl and I love how his feet touch each other so much, as if they love to snuggle.  Baby feet are a true joy!

So are naked baby smiles :)

It was a lovely Easter celebration indeed.  Hallelujah to our Risen Lord!