An Elmer Easter

Samuel and I love living close to both of our families, so getting together for the holidays is always a welcome scramble!

Samuel's arms are full with his newest niece and nephew! Parents of twins, triplets, and more, we don't know how you do it!

Aunt Rachel

It's hard to believe this holiday's come and gone!
Next year we'll have a 10-month old!

Easter Dinner with the Lopez & Ramos Families

Last year we hosted Easter Dinner in our rental home while we were waiting for this home to be built. At that time, my grandpa was dying, and though we knew the end was near, we gathered to celebrate this special day, Easter, and the resurrection of the Savior.

It was a great opportunity then, for the family to draw close together...

and it remains a great opportunity today as well.

My grandpa has since passed away, but his legacy lives on in his family.

This is just a handful of the grand kids and great-grand kids.
Each and every one, even the older ones who are trying to play it cool, are anxious for the egg hunt to start.

Happy Easter!

The Night before Easter

Our kids love to carefully lay out the Easter baskets the night before the Easter Bunny comes. Apparently, like Santa, the Bunny prefers close proximity to the fireplace.


In addition, someone always voices the hopeful wish that he will leave a trail of candy from their rooms to the their baskets.

He always does!

This candy trail is always greeted with loud squeals from the oldest children, who eagerly leap over the trail, anxious to find their baskets brimming with treats. While they are content to peruse their baskets, the youngest child, this year it's Owen, always meanders slowly along the trail, careful to pick-up each piece of candy so as to digest every single one.

Mom's absolute favorite:

Yellow Peeps

Dad's most disgusting:

Yellow Peeps

Guess who else loves them too?


Dad is always "present" at the festivities.
Alert? No.
But present, yes.

Easter Prep!

The kids love to decorate Easter eggs, and we always scrounge up the white crayons to make designs on the eggs before we dip them! This year we only broke three eggs, which considering we have four kids, is a minor miracle!

Easter Traditions: Sugar Cookies

Everyone knows I love making chocolate chip cookies. But the kids can't resist this holiday tradition, and so we lug out the sprinkles and frosting and go to town!