Easter

I debated whether or not to post about Easter all in one post or break it up.  I think I've decided to post all at once.  I have the time, and then I can get on with posting about our trip which is what you are really waiting for anyway.

We decorated cookies for FHE the Monday before.

This is one of Jonathan's cookies.  He named it Easter.  He wouldn't let anyone eat him and even made a sign to warn everyone to stay away.  Jonathan ate him the next day.

We're becoming real cookie artists, with different toppings and frosting colors and stuff.  Fun!

Easter morning the boys found Easter baskets full of candy and toys at the foot of their beds.

They got to work trying out the toys.

 One of the boys got a bunny catcher.  (I've already forgotten who got what.)

 One of them got these bunny rockets.

 Here's Jonathan showing us how they work.

 One of them got a carrotcopter.

Always a favorite at our house.

Then we colored Easter Eggs.  I know I might be in the minority, but I love 1:00 church.  Especially for days like this.

 A little to early for this much fun, perhaps?

 Jonathan was a little upset that the egg dye was coloring his fingers too.

 Nathaniel shared in the picture-taking.

 Jaaromy took a few himself.

 Our egg dye kit came with shrink wraps.  Kind of cool.

Sometimes they don't fit around the eggs, so we improvise.

We had our Easter FHE the Monday after Easter.  I kind of like it that way since we're all still thinking about it.  Although, a few friends of mine on Facebook posted about the last week of Jesus' life everyday leading up to Easter.  I think I'd like to do that next year.

 First the Easter Egg Hunt.  It was raining so we had to have it inside this year.

 Brigham was upset because he wasn't ready to get off the computer yet.

 He calmed down when I helped him find some eggs.  He even found the coveted "last" egg.

 Then we opened each one and discussed the events of the Crucifixion.  We had some pictures to go along with it which helps Jonathan get into the story.

 He was so excited about the whole story that he wanted to draw a "map" of the Plan of Salvation.  I was impressed with how much he remembered.  After the usual three kingdoms, he decided to add a few of his own.  One of them was called the Kingdom of Hyrule.

 To conclude our Easter FHE we had ice cream.  If you think the last several pictures look kind of fuzzy, you're right.  I noticed it at the time too.  Turns our there was a big fat thumb print right in the middle of my camera lens!  Cleaning it off made all the difference.  Whew!

For fun I took a picture of my Easter houses that my mom gave me.  Cute.

I love Easter.  The story behind the holiday is such a beautiful and hopeful one.