Happy Easter!

We had a busy Easter weekend starting with a birthday party for one of Ella's friends from Kidspace and dance class.  Their Easter-themed party gave Ella an opportunity to participate in her first egg hunt. We've decided that an egg hunt for 2-year-old-ish toddlers is the most mellow egg hunt ever.  The kids basically gathered a few eggs, then got distracted, and decided to do their own thing.  There were still so many eggs left over!  It was really cute watching them, though.

Lunch before the hunt begins.

She quickly got distracted by this fountain.  She ended up washing all her eggs in it.  What can I say?  I've raised a neat-freak.

A jello break before the pinata.

Easter Sunday we hosted a brunch and egg hunt for our family and friends.  I'm bummed I didn't get to take more pictures, but it was a busy day.  Ella enjoyed the festivities but was a little uncomfortable with all the attention her visiting cousins and aunts and uncles were giving her.  I really wish we lived closer to Adam's relatives in Washington.  By the time Ella warms up to them, it's time for them to leave.  But we are glad we get to see them for special occasions like these!

The kids getting their Easter baskets before the party starts. Gavin was "thrilled."

Ella liked her eggs the most.  She discovered jelly beans the day before (thanks to her dance teacher), and now expects them in every egg she finds.

Our friends joined us in the festivities.

The spread.

Louie made a ham-pig.  Or a pig-ham.  So wrong, yet so cute.

The Easter baskets for the kids for the egg hunt.

Ella looking for jelly beans.  We should have just called it a jelly bean hunt.  Unfortunately, the eggs were empty (she was pretty disappointed) so as to avoid major sugar overload.  Adam thought that was cruel of me.

The little boys (Caiden and Gabe) enjoying their shakers and toys.

Ella kept yelling "Mad!" to her friend, Maddie, who had dropped her egg (probably also in disappointment for lack of candy inside).

A rare picture of the two of them (usually because Ella gets camera shy when asked to pose with her friend).

Ella wanted to keep running around the yard with Dad.

Yes, yes, I did put him in a pink bunny polo.

We had a lovely Easter and I truly enjoy watching Ella get more out of these events as she grows older.  The most important part is teaching her the true meaning (no, not eggs and bunnies, even though she'll say "hop!" when she hears "Happy Easter!").  We've read a lot of books about Easter and Jesus and His sacrifice for us.  While she's far from grasping the entire concept of His death and resurrection, I know that we are planting seeds and that when she sees and says Jesus, she knows He's someone important.  My favorite is when she reminds us to pray before every meal.  I love that she reminds us daily to give thanks for all the blessings God has given us.