Easter Day

We've been enjoying the spring breezes, and warmer air around here. Two days in a row, we've hung out at the park with friends. Boy, does it feel great to get out! The grass is green, the tire swing is blowing in circles once again, and my green onions are ready to be picked. The rhubarb can be seen peeking up, and my garden in planned. I can't wait to get my fingernails dirty and start planting!

I've nothing important or inspirational to say, just thought I'd lay out a few words and say hello.

Here are a few more pictures of our Easter at the lake. It takes a bit of arm twisting to get my dear sweet husband to pose for a picture, but I won this time!

Of course the real star of any holiday now, is this sweet child. Here are my "little" sisters and our new niece:

You all love these eyes, so here's for you! You're welcome.

Laura was playing with my camera, the envy of the family now, 

and caught this handsome kid with his funky hair. 

The two following pictures are to her credit as well.

Not bad, Laura!

Mmmmmmmmm.

Her mouth is full, can you tell? She gets her blue eyes from her daddy. I love that!

The mommy of sweet Victoria, my twin. With her hubby.

No, we are not identical. Yes, we are fraternal. 

(For some reason, we get asked that a lot.)

We had a lovely day....

For Grandparents and Such

My littlest bunny...not too happy about being pulled from the playground for a picture....
...you'll thank me later.

Silly girl.....

See, this is fun!

Mads shows off her socks pulled last minute from the dirty laundry. And I thought no one would notice. HA!

Yes, I let her wear those ears in church. Whatever! They fit her personality! 

She was a darn cute bunny!

Hope you had a Happy Easter!

Resurrection Eggs

I discovered one more thing in my small stash of Easter paraphernalia: a treasure I found at a garage sale last year, new in the box. I love that!

These eggs each have a small item inside which help tell the story leading to Easter. A small devotional book comes with the eggs, explaining the significance of each trinket. This morning my kids loved passing the egg between them, guessing what was in it.

They are available at Family Life.

Or you can make your own. 

My Easter Tree

I did it! And I love it!

I printed off Ann Voskamp's Trail to the Nail Tree pictures and devotions,

one for me, and one for a friend, 

and while our kids played outside in the glorious weather today, 

we cut and pasted and chatted. 

And then we took our girls to dance,

and took a walk, enjoying the weather for ourselves, 

and then I cut these branches off her bush 

and came home and tied ribbon and hung pictures and eggs.

And now I'll go to bed,

happy to have something new and pretty,

that I made with my own hands.

But especially grateful for friends

and spring,

LOVE,

forgiveness,

and the 

cross.

For more DIY projects, visit A Soft Place to Land for DIY Day every Tuesday.

Easter Preparation

Things I am doing to prepare my heart and ponder this season:

• Reading Journey to the Cross each morning with my children.
•  Reading for myself: The Passion of Jesus Christ: 50 Reasons Why He Came to Die  by John Piper.
• And I love this: A Trail to the Nail Tree by Ann Voskamp. I hope to gather branches, print pictures and further read the story leading to Christ's resurrection with my family.

Are you doing anything about Jesus? Do share!

Photo credit: Ann's Easter Tree, www.aholyexperience.com