Blake's first Easter

Last year Easter was a week later than it was this year, and Justin and I flew out of Moline on that day to return to Russia. We were a mess leaving Brady and Madison, but were so excited to return to bring Blake home. Well this year Easter was a VERY joyous occasion. Blake has now been with us for each one of the holidays that we celebrate in one year. He understands that we celebrate Christmas as Jesus’ birthday, and it was great fun for us to try to teach to him that on Easter we celebrate that Christ rose from the grave. Brady and Madison love telling him the bible stories that they have learned.

The fun started on Friday night. Our niece Alexis and nephew Trevor came to spend two nights with us. They enjoyed dying Easter eggs. Blake couldn’t get the hang of the little dippers so he just stuck his whole hand in the dye. Thankfully his hands turned back to their normal color by Saturday morning.

On Saturday we went to Justin’s parent's house and celebrated Easter with his family. There was rain in the forecast so Blake’s first Easter egg hunt was held in the shops and barns on the farm. The kids loved it! Here they are with some of their goodies. Brady, Blake and Alexis thought they were cute with buckets on their heads.

On Sunday, we all went to church. We were really excited to have my sisters, Dyan and Glennda with us as well as my aunt Becky and Grandma! We didn’t have much time for pictures before church but here is one of the three kids and Annie. Annie looks so clean in the pictures. She really is filthy dirty from running through the pond!

The kids had a blast putting together a scavenger hunt for the adults. Justin and I helped them plan it out. Here is a picture of the group at the starting egg. The kids came up with the rules that all of the adults had to stay together. It was fun!

Blake really did have a great time. He loves to be together with his family. And he is a chocoholic so Easter candy is right up his alley. He needed a new bike for this year, so we thought that would make a great Easter present. He loves to ride it, and Madison has been working with him on turning and stopping.