Easter 2013

When we woke up on Easter morning, we saw that the Easter Bunny had stopped by!

We didn't stick around too long though, we were out to an early mass and then back home to decorate a giant brownie bunny for dessert that day.

After some play time and lunch, we loaded in the car and drove up to Aunt Patty and Uncle Roger's house.  I tried to get a picture of the kids before the egg hunt (it was very nice of them to ask the bunny to stop by their house just for us!) but Emily and Everett were pretty excited and this is the best I got with my phone.

Then it was right outside for some egg hunting!

Emily was very good about helping Everett find a few eggs that she chose to pass up.  :)

("Everett, can you show me your egg?")

("Okay, show me all of your eggs and smile!")

 Niko was also very helpful, and could sniff out all of the jelly bean eggs.

("Pause and smile, Emily!")

It took a fair amount of time to collect all of the eggs, and then we posed for a quick pic...

and went inside to survey the loot.

As well as be distracted by some March Madness basketball.

When we went back outside, Emily found a few jelly beans that had spilled out in the dirt.  I suggested that Emily and Everett throw them over the deck in the hopes of growing some jelly bean trees - they liked that idea.

 (you can actually see the red one that Emily threw and one still in Everett's hand in this pic)

 We took a minute to get a family picture taken by Aunt Patty (though no whole group shot)...

and then chatted and enjoyed some appetizers.

While enjoying her appetizers, Emily actually walked right into the pool.  Luckily, she stepped right off the edge and landed on a deep step instead of falling in completely.  Everyone's response was to laugh and Emily held her dress up by her face saying, "I walked in the pool!  I wasn't watching where I was going!  I was just eating my cracker."  She seemed close to tears (embarrassed) so I went over and pulled her out before taking a picture.  Now I wish I had a picture, of course!  

She did a really great job of picking up her dress quickly so just the bottom was damp as you can see in these pictures taken right after in the entryway.  I love that there is a planter right in the floor of their house now! 

While her dress and unmentionable were taking a tumble in the dryer, we prepared for dinner.  Aunt Patty had set a beautiful table complete with candy filled castles with flags at each place.  (We brought along Emily's basket she made at school and Gus waited at her spot until Emily joined him for dinner.)

The flags were perfect for some fencing when the meal was through...

and Everett showed his best table manners with his placemat placement.

After our yummy dinner, there was some playing in the front courtyard...

 and general horsing around with Trevor.

We had a really good time, but the wonky schedule caught up to us by about 6 o'clock and it was time to hit the road home.  Thanks for a wonderful Easter, Uncle Roger, Aunt Patty, and Trevor!