Easter festivities

What a wonderful time to celebrate our Savior's death and resurrection! I sometimes feel that Easter is more commercialized than any other holiday.  At Christmas time you still see the baby Jesus and the occasional manger scene along with the Santa Clause, but where do you see Christ in Easter?  Everything is all about bunnies and ducks and eggs and candy.  You have to REALLY try to focus on the Lord or else everything else will sneak in (not to subtly) and take over.  How sad is it that we have to try so hard to remember the greatest thing our Lord ever did for us.  Living He loved me, dying He saved me, buried He carried my sins far away, rising He justified freely forever, one day He's coming. Oh glorious day!!!  I hope that all over you were able to take time away from the busyness of Easter and spring and remember what Jesus Christ did for us.

We were very fortunate to be able to spend some time with both sides of our family this year.  Kyle's parents came over Friday evening and stayed through Saturday.  Although, Kyle and I were ready to have them "committed" as they decided to ride the motorcycle over to our place.  It's a 2 1/2 hour drive and it was low 40's and raining! Needless to say they were a little chilled when they arrived :)  They assured us that it had been sunny and in the 60's when they left their place.  Maybe next time they'll check the weather before they head out, lol.  We had a great time together though.  After a great meal and pretty yummy dessert, if I do say so myself, we had a good time talking and spending the evening together.  They brought some goodies for Hayden and of course she had to sample them :)  

Saturday morning we colored eggs with Hayden.  She had such a fun time! She kept saying, wow, over and over again :)  Such fun things for an almost two year old mind.  After lunch we headed over to the library for an Easter egg hunt.  They had a separate section for 0-2 year olds which was perfect.  The eggs weren't exactly hidden, more like scattered all over the floor.  All the kids had to do was pick them up off the ground.  Hayden started picking up eggs but once she figured out they had candy in them she wasn't interested.  She just wanted the candy!  Oh well, she'll figure it out sooner or later :)

After nap time, we headed up to see my parents in Emmetsburg.  We had a great time with them Saturday evening then got up for church Sunday morning.  Justin made it sometime in the night so it was nice seeing him Sunday morning as well.  The church was packed out and I was able to see some friends there from high school that I hasn't seen in years.  It's always great going back and seeing old friends.  Dad had a great message, one that really spoke to the heart.  How important it is to know Christ as our PERSONAL Savior....you never know when He will come again to get His children and we will meet Him in the air! Mom made a WONDERFUL ham meal and cheese cake for dessert.  My favorite! Needless to say, my diet took a MAJOR hit this weekend :(  After a nice nap, Hayden was raring to go again.  Grandma DeFord hid a few eggs around the living room and Hayden was able to find them.  She did much better on this one than she did at the library :)  She also got a new skirt and shirt outfit...super cute!  Thanks mom! We went for a walk and mom and dad were VERY impressed at how far Hayden walked all by herself.  Dad thought she went probably a quarter of a mile :)  Alex is in track this year and since Justin did track too, and did very well, making it to state in the shuttle relay, we all went to the track and watched them work on hurdles.  Justin gave some great tips and worked well with him.  We are hoping they'll actually get to have a meet soon as all of them  have been cancelled due to rain.  I am so proud of both of my brothers :)

All in all, a wonderful weekend with family, friends and remember our Lord.  I trust you all had a great weekend as well!

Sorry, I couldn't figure out how to rotate the picture on the blog