Easter Time

We had a really awesome time celebrating what is one of the best holidays there is... Easter. The fact that Jesus is Alive and rose from the dead is the whole basis for our faith as a Christ follower! So this holdiay is near and dear to our hearts. We had a fun time doing some cool activities with the kids as Easter approached. I'm writing all this down here so that I can remember what we did in the years to come. Because if I don't, I'm sure I'll wish I'd written it down next year as I'm thinking... what was that one recipe we used? So don't feel like you have to read this, it's mostly for me to remember for next year! :)

The Thursday before Easter, we dipped pretzels in chocolate and ate some (YUM!), and as we did that, we talked about where pretzels came from. Did you know that they were invented by a baker at a monastery who was using up the leftover bread dough. He twisted it to look like the traditional prayer pose back then, sort of looking like the arms are folded over the chest. So it's used as a symbol of prayer, and we talked about how each time we eat a pretzel now, we can be reminded that we can pray to Jesus anytime we want! Then we talked about how Jesus prayed in the Garden the night before he was crucified- He just needed to talk with His Father. He knew what was going to happen, and He needed to be with God to talk with Him all night.

Then we talked about the last supper, and how Jesus washed His disiples feet, which was a yucky disgusting job back then since they walked with sandals on everywhere. So feet were nasty and stinky and dirty, and Jesus took on the role of a servant and washed their feet. And then Zach washed each of the kids' feet. Then we went back into the kitchen and talked about what Jesus did next. How He gave His disciples bread and wine and talked about how those symbolized his body that would be broken, and his blood that would be shed... and each time they eat or drink to think of these things. And then as a family, we had communion together, remembering what Jesus did for us on the cross. It was really cool. The kids loved it, and I think it was pretty meaningful to them. They've seen us do it so many times at church, and we haven't let them do it yet. So this was really cool that they would get to participate in this too. I love that we did it at home, together as a family. To me, it was so meaningful!

Friday morning, Dane had an egg hunt at his school. It was pretty cool. Each student brought 12 eggs with candy in them, and so that made over 700 eggs. There are a lot of kindergarteners at his school! The parents hid them in the park right by the school, and Zach and Teda were off for Good Friday. So we were all there, and we got to see Dane excitedly find eggs, and then share in the excitement with his friends. He LOVES his best friend, Austin, and treasures any time he gets to spend with him. It was fun watching him with his friends. He is definitely like a glue for them all. He enjoys seeing them all have fun together, and really likes to make them laugh. Teda, Jett, and Deklan each found a few eggs after the hunt was over. Jett, being the unsuspecting lucky kid pretty much all the time (for example- at Peter Piper, he put a token in the machine that could potentiallly get you the "jackpot" of all tickets, but most people get like 2... and he totally won the jackpot. He had no idea though because he just walked away from it, not knowing he could win!)... anyways, he found the biggest egg with a ring pop in it. Zach and I laugh at how he seems to luck out with things like that. ;) And it is always neat to watch Teda with Deklan. They have a special bond, and it is really sweet. He lets her carry him all over the place, and she's really great with him.

Dane with a few of his friends

Dane and his best friend Austin. Dane thought it would be cool to put their hands up to block the sun for the picture, so of course, that's what they did! :)

Saturday night, we made a really cool dessert called Resurrection Rolls, and let me tell you, those are AWESOME! It's crescent rolls, big marshmallows, melted butter, and a mixture of cinnamon and sugar... here's the recipe. The marshmallow bakes into the rolls, and when they come out, the rolls are hollow, symbolizing Jesus' empty tomb. Pretty cool! I wanted to do Resurrection Cookies too, but didn't get to them this year. Next year for sure! Click here to go to my pinterest boards to see the other Easter activities I wanted to do, but didn't get to this year.

Of course, we colored Easter Eggs on the Saturday before Easter, and that was really fun too! The kids made very pretty designs, and were very creative with it!

Kids coloring eggs

On Easter morning, we opened up the box that we got from Grandpa Don and Mimi (Zach's dad and his wife) with some Easter basket type things, and the kids were so excited! They got Easter cards from Great Grandma Bonnie (Zach's grandma) with $5 and McDonalds gift cards in them too! Then we did an easter egg hunt, and we had quarters in the eggs. It's so fun watching the little ones hunt for eggs and search for their treasure. Of course, Teda and Dane found all their eggs in no time. Then they helped Jett find the rest of his.

Daddy and Jett after they found their eggs and counted the money that was in them :)

Dane with Teda and Dek in the background... aren't they sweet together? Love it!

Deklan checking out the eggs

Little Teda girl

Daney boy

Then it was off to church for Easter morning service. It was held outside, and it was a beautiful day. A great reminder that this day is all about Jesus is alive! Then it was off to my Aunt Sue and Uncle Randy's house for a big lunch, hanging out, a great family trivia game that is now a new tradition and very fun, volleyball, red rover for the kids, and just relaxing fun for all. We get there at 1, and usually get home by like 8 that evening. So we end up staying for lunch and dinner My oldest cousin Brian has 3 kids who are older than our kids, and our kids ADORE Autumn, Jacob, and Braden. So each holiday that we're there, I pretty much don't see Teda, Dane or Jett. They are spending time with their cousins, and having the time of their life. And Deklan takes really good naps there, and when he's awake, he's being passed around between family members. So it makes for a pretty relaxing day for me... which is always welcome!

So all in all, Easter was just awesome. Our family really enjoyed all the different ways we learned about what it's all about, and enjoyed time together!