Happy Easter!

Our Easter festivities continued with our church's annual Easter egg hunt the day before Easter. Unfortunately, Ian woke up on the wrong side of the bed that morning (or was just being a typical 2-year-old). Almost everything at the Easter egg hunt seemed wrong to Ian.

The bouncy-structures that are usually a big hit were scary ..

But the lollipop tree was okay.

And fishing was okay, too.

When it came time for the Easter egg hunt, Ian started crying as everyone else was cheering. He didn't want to look for ANY eggs. Maybe the combination of the cheering and the loud music playing was overwhelming?? Some sweet older girls shared their candy with Ian after the hunt was over.

The animals were okay, too, as long as Ian was on Daddy's lap. Needless to say, we ate a quick hot dog lunch and then headed home. Unfortunately, the 10-minute nap in the car was all our tired, grouchy one got for the day.

But, the power nap seemed to revive him, and he was thrilled about dyeing Easter eggs. He loved watching the colors fizz in the vinegar.

Ian was intent upon doing the whole process himself, from placing the eggs into the dye ...

... to taking them out ...

... to placing them back in the egg carton. He flew through the 12 eggs Momma had hard boiled, and then we got out 1 dozen more (raw) eggs to dye. Ian loved every moment!

It was fun to put on a new outfit on Easter morning!

Thanks for helping Ian look sharp, Grammy and Papa!

Ian thought it was SO fun to find his Easter egg basket, complete with a Thomas search-and-find book, another new book, some Cars cars (a great garage sale find), and some candy.

What a happy camper!

Ian was excited to try out his first marshmallow peep even before breakfast!

We enjoyed a yummy Easter breakfast, an uplifting service with great music, and taking some family pictures at church.  Kim received a few jokes about hiding her "Easter egg" in a MUCH too obvious spot. :) (Thanks for the cute Easter dress to borrow, Jenn!)

It was fun to see friends Caleb B. and Christopher at church as well.

After we got home, it was time for our at-home Easter egg hunt. Ian didn't need much help finding the eggs we hid in the front and back yards.

Here's one!

The mailbox egg was especially fun to find,

as was the egg at the top of the slide that, of course, had to slide down before getting picked up!

It was awfully fun to open the eggs and find M&Ms and jelly beans inside, too.

We enjoyed a family dinner of ham, potatoes, green beans, rolls, and (best of all) fresh strawberry pie for dessert! Yum!! Thanks, Jesus, for giving us such a wonderful reason to celebrate ... abundant life here on earth and (best of all) the promise of eternal life with you in heaven!

Ian also received a great Easter package in the mail from Grandpa and Grandma, complete with fruit snacks, stickers, paper, some small toys, money for candy, and these foam puzzles.

They have been a big hit with Ian!! Thanks, Grandma and Grandpa! :)