Easter Weekend

Our first "public" Easter egg hunt was held on the Saturday before Easter. What a spectacle! So many kids. Seemed like the bigger kids got most of the eggs. Gavin managed to scoop up one egg, but when it was all over, a volunteer came around with a bag full eggs and handed one or two to the littler kids who didn't get many. Nice! After the hunt they held footraces for Easter baskets. We didn't realize what was going on until after the 3-year-old boys had run their race, but Gavin still wanted to take part. When they said "Go!" for the 5-year-old race, Gavin jumped in from the sidelines and ran to the finish line. He was certain that he won. Technically he did cross the finish line first, but...  Afterward we tried to get his picture taken with the Easter bunny, but he got scared at the last minute (same thing that happened with Santa), so we bagged that plan and spent an hour or so at the playground.

 

 

 

 

Later that day some of our friends stopped by for a visit.  Melanie and Justin came with Ethan and Leif, then Angie stopped by with Sam and Claire.  As usual the kids had a great time playing together and we found ourselves saying "we should get together more often."  We should!

 

 

That evening we finally got around to coloring our Easter eggs.  Sadly, our fresh brown eggs aren't all that good for hard-boiling (they don't peel well), and also not as good for dyeing.  It pained me, but I bought a dozen bright white ones from the grocery store and we enjoyed covering them in bright colors and later eating some tasty Easter-egg salad.  

 

 

 

On Easter morning Gavin woke up to a superhero-themed Easter basket from his new favorite rabbit.  Vivi got one of her own, complete with brightly colored baby toys that those of you with seasoned eyes may remember from when Gavin was a baby.  After breakfast  he got to go outside and hunt for the dozen eggs we dyed as well as 16 plastic eggs full of superhero stickers and candy.  Vivian watched in wonder from the comfort of her daddy's arms.

G&E (they bring good things to life!)

Gavin was thrilled to see his old pal Ethan at Willow Park on Friday.

I heart birds of prey.

We get a lot of raptor action in Cache Valley. You can't swing a dead cat without hitting a hawk or harrier. This kestrel was hanging out in the tree nearest the hen house this morning. Maybe he was looking for a friend. Maybe he was looking for breakfast. I wonder if a kestrel could take down a chicken.

Enough with the snow already.

It snowed all afternoon and evening yesterday and it's snowing again this morning. All that wet and heavy stuff caused a giant branch to break off of our Chinese elm (NEVER plant a Chinese elm in your yard), despite Brandon's having trimmed the heck out of it last fall. A few willow branches also fell victim and we may find even more when we venture outside. Seems like this happens every year, but every year we still get exasperated and frustrated and downright annoyed.

We Love Visitors

Brandon left early Monday morning to go to work in Salt Lake City and didn't come back until Thursday evening.  We missed him while he was gone, but visits from a couple of friends made the time go by a little faster.  Leanna stopped by on Monday evening and Shanna came over on Wednesday evening.  Gavin loves visitors (and so do I) and was tickled to have fresh playmates (and so was I).  Thanks for coming to see us, ladies!

3-year-old wisdom

Gavin identified these 'snow feathers' on the windshield this morning.
So THAT'S what they're called!

Peas, please!

How is it that February (the shortest month) seemed SO long, and March just whipped by in the blink of an eye?  It went out in a decidedly lamb-like fashion and we took advantage of a gorgeous April Fool's Day by picnicking at Willow Park, visiting the Willow Park Zoo (Forgot to bring the camera, dangit.), and taking care of a little spring cleaning in the Chard Yard.  We all got a much needed big dose of fresh air and vitamin D.  Brandon and Gavin even planted a row of peas! 

And then the snow came back.  But that's ok - we know it's not going to stick around.

 

Spring is on the way!