THE EASTER BUNNY STOPPED HERE!

Let me start from the begnning. We have a tradition on Easter morning before we go in search of our baskets to gather on Jason and I's bed and talk about the week before the Savior died. I have a really cool book that I used to show them a map of Jersulem and the path the Savior traveled around that last week of his life. We talk about his last moments and his love for us. Of his cruxification and then of his ressurection. We bear testimony to them that we belive this to be true and then say a prayer inviting the spirit to be with us that day and to help us remember the true meaning of Easter. This year was among the first that we felt like - They are getting it. They truly understand. It was a beautiful moment.

Then we donned our coats and slippers and went out in search of our baskets. The Easter Bunny had definately been to our house. The kids loved looking through their baskets and the candy frenzy began.

I must confess the day was not without its stress. Jamie can testify to this as she called at a specifically crazy moment when I was trying to finish getting ready and to keep the kids prestine until I could capture them in their lovely Easter glory. She might have considered calling CPS as I yelled from the top of the stairs for all the kids to get their hineys up in my room. Gannon had spilled his bubbles on his new clothes, Rigdon was running around outside getting into the dirt, Kenzie was spraying herself and he new dress with body glitter and Keaton was helping himself to a couple of pieces of wrapped candy he found laying on the floor. A half a pack of wipes later and another spritz of hair-spray and we ready to shoot the traidional outdoor Easter shots. Hey you get what you get and don't throw a fit. I guess there is something to be said for paying the outrageous prices at Kiddie Kandids - at least you don't have to try and pose, make them laugh and take the shot at the same time all by yourself. AHHHH! (See the new side pictures of my kids)

AND I realized again how grateful I am for the SHOW UP. What do I mean by the SHOW UP? Well, you know - being invited over to someone else's house for dinner and having to take like a vegetable or a side dish or dessert and getting to sit and enjoy yourself without the stress of cooking the entire meal. It is pretty plain Jane up here. We had a ham and some potatos and a store bought bag of rolls on a paper plate with a plastic cup of water. It tasted good and hey - it was as good as it was going to get.

Then came the pick-up. The picking up of the grass scattered all over the floor, the bits of play-doh, the spilled puddles of bubble juice, the empty candy wrappers, the broken Easter toys that last a day, the stickers and the cracked hard boiled eggs. Is it worth it???? - well just look at their faces. Of course it is. Happy FREAKIN' EASTER! HA HA HA!

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