Easter - 2024

On the night before Easter, fresh out of the shower, James made sure to set out a plate of lettuce and carrots for the Easter Bunny.

The baskets were filled and eggs were hidden outside in hopes of a special Easter Egg hunt first thing the next morning.

The kids were up by 7:30 am and ready to check out their baskets.  But, they weren't on the table like they expected!

Instead, there was a note, which Jimmy was kind enough to read out loud for everyone.

Each of the kids had 16 colored eggs to find outside and they were allowed to only collect the egg color that was assigned to them.

Boots were a 'must' with the semi-muddy yard that is just beginning to thaw.

Almost done!

After everyone (finally) found all of their colored eggs -- there seems to always be ONE kid that the rest of the team has to end up helping to find the one, last pesky hidden egg before everyone can head inside -- we were back where it was warm.

There was some candy, some money AND a bunch of letters that needed to be unscrambled and put in order to tell the kids where to find their personal Easter basket that was hidden in the house.

This was such a great idea and the kids had so much fun with it.

Yes, there were smiles from everyone has they sorted out their Easter goodies together.

A new Detroit Lions hat after such a great NFL season.  We're hoping that they can pull off another season where they are able to go to the play-offs again ... or even further!

Happy Easter to all!

Easter Egg Decorating - 2024

On a sunny afternoon, two days before Easter, we set up a table in the back family room and I set 4 dozen hard-boiled eggs for each of the kids to split up and color.  I chuckled when I took this picture because they were all dressed in dark shirts -- without me even asking -- just in case they spilled any egg dye on themselves in the process.

As always, Sophia spent the most time being the most meticulous and detailed in her designs.

As the years go by, I find myself more and more in the background, taking pictures ... both with my camera and with my mind so that I never forget these days.  

They are becoming more and more independent.

There are less messes and more thought that goes into their creations.

Fresh haircuts before the holiday too!

The final masterpieces!