Easter in Pictures

 Saturday Morning bright and early...

Easter Bunny was here...

and our very own little bunny Charlotte

Then we were off to the park to play, when lo and behold the Police station was hosting an easter egg hunt!  Just what we needed...more candy:)

These kids ended up with SO MUCH CANDY!  Goodness!

Look who made an appearance...

The loot!  Isn't my little sister beautiful---and it is not just skin deep.  She is a genuinely kind and good person.  I love her so much--it was such a treat to have her and her darling children here for Easter.  

Easter Sunday--I convinced the gang to pause for a picture before heading off to church.

We had a fantastic weekend. It was SO FUN to have family here to share the holiday with.

Hope your Easter was a happy one too!

How to Grow Grass for Easter Table Decor

Last week I was sent a little reminder on my Google calendar telling me that it was time to start my Easter grass! Do you use the Google calender?  I have just started to play around with it , and I am really liking it.  I still love my bright and happy planner, but you have to actually open it to be effective, you know?!  LOL  Some days I appreciate the reminders coming to my phone about events and important things like Easter grass:)  This is actually only the second time I have grown it.  Most years, I forget until it is too late!  Not this year, thanks to the reminder I sent myself! 

 You still have time too, just start your own in the nest couple of days.   It actually only needs about 10-14 days to grow.

Before you know it, you will have this:

(source)

Can't you just see some pretty pastel colored eggs nestled in there?  Beautiful.

So here are the super easy directions.

How to Grow Grass:

*You can use wheat or regular grass seed to do this.  I have plenty of wheat in my food storage for making bread, so I use that.  If you choose to use grass seed--then skip the soaking and go to step 2.

1.  Soak your wheat overnight, or at least 5-8 hours. Just put them in a bowl and cover them with an inch or two of water and leave them on the counter.  This is not necessary, but it really helps the wheat to sprout quick.  

2.  Prepare your container.  I am using a shallow dish, but a planter or bowl would work great too.  Fill it with some potting soil.  You could put rocks on the bottom for drainage, but since you will only be growing the grass for a few weeks, I don't really thing that is necessary.  Just be careful not to over water.

3.  Sprinkle your wheat (soaked and drained) or grass seed over the dirt.  Be generous with the wheat /seeds, then the grass will come up nice and thick.

4.  Sprinkle everything with water and lay plastic wrap loosely over top. This will have a greenhouse affect.  Put in a sunny spot (by a window).  I only keep the plastic wrap on for a day or two--longer than that and you may get mold.

5.  Everyday sprinkle the seeds with water---or use a spray bottle.  Your kids will love to do this for you!

Just be sure to keep it moist, but not too wet and your grass will grow!

This is just day 4...

Pretty easy, huh?!

I am so excited for Easter this year!  Not only did I remembered to grow grass:) but my sister Erin and her darling little family will be here!  Yipee!

Easter

 We had a wonderful Easter, did you?

The Easter Bunny did indeed come and the boys were delighted with their baskets, but I forgot to snap a single picture.  Oops.  I did however require my boys to pose for pictures after church.  You can tell that they are really happy about it, especially my 9 year old Coleman:)  He was complaining that the sun was in his eyes and so he just could not smile, but I think he was just annoyed at being kept from reuniting with his basket of candy after church!  Such a mean old Mom to want to take pictures when chocolate is waiting:)

 I miss the days when I could orchestrate all their outfits for special occasions.  I tried to get the older boys to where spring colored ties--but TJ is the only one who did it.  At least I still got my two little guys into Spring-ish sweater vests!  I actually had one for Coleman too--but he refused! Augh--he is growing up too fast:)

Along with all the treats, easter eggs and fun I tried really hard to teach my sons what Easter is really a celebration of...

I wanted to share this Easter video.  I love Elder Holland and his words so much.

I want to add my humble testimony to his--I know that Jesus Christ lives and loves us perfectly.  I am  grateful, beyond words for His infinte and eternal gift of the atonement and ressurection.  For me Easter is a time to not only reflect on this incredible offering, but to renew my committment to Him. 

 I wish with all my heart to live my life as a disciple of Christ.

When Connor and TJ were small and I was struggling with how to help them understand what Easter is really about,  I came across this sweet story, Mending Easter.  It was just perfect and we have read it every year since.  On Sunday, I even shared it in my lesson at church for the teenage girls and they loved it too:) 

You can find it here.

PS

I finally updated my weekly menu here.

Big Boys Ski Trip

This is a shot from Brad's phone:)

While the little boys and I were enjoying record high warm weather in Tennessee, Brad and the big boys were enjoying fresh snow in Utah.

They also stopped by the old neighborhood and played a little ball with old friends. Thanks Kaley for the picture!!

We sure miss these sweet boys as neighbors!

Best of all they spent Easter with Grandma and Grandpa and all their Utah Aunts, Uncles and cousins. They had sooo much fun! Anyone want to email me some pictures of the get together? Mindy?? Mom??

They are home now but are still talking about their awesome trip to Utah! What a treat! I will be there myself for BYU Women's Conference in 3 weeks---I CAN NOT WAIT:) yipee!

PS

It is Spring Break here---so sorry but I am taking a break from planning my Menu Monday:) And having no menu plan is not going too well--so next week I will back on!

The Bunny was Here!

In our home the Easter Bunny comes a day early. That way we can celebrate the true meaning of Easter on Sunday. So, Friday night found us coloring eggs in preparation for the Easter Bunny's arrival that night. What a delightful little mess:)

It was considerably less chaotic with only 3 of my 5--but we sure missed the big boys. They are always so creative with their eggs. With them gone, the demand for more eggs was a lot less.

Saturday morning to our delight our home was sprinkled with eggs and baskets brimming with sweets!

Coleman was thrilled to get some new fancy markers. He told me "How did the Easter Bunny know that I really wanted art stuff?" That Easter Bunny is one smart little guy!

We spent the day listening to General Conference, eating our treats, and even enjoyed a picnic in the park! The weather was BEAUTIFULY warm and sunny and hearing the word of our beloved Prophet and Apostles was blissful! My heart was so full. A perfect day to get ready for Easter Sunday!

Happy Easter

Our Easter weekend started out with a birthday party for TJ. Lots of silly 10 year old boys--basketball, and lots of food. Fun times!

After the birthday party we had a egg coloring party at the kitchen table. We had to get those eggs colored before the Easter Bunny arrived that night. Our Easter bunny comes on Friday night.

Bridger took this very seriously!Saturday morning, the boys were up bright and early searching for those eggs and their filled baskets!

Easter Morning was peaceful as we talked about the the Savior, the Atonement and the Resurrection. We made these for breakfast. They turned out perfectly--yum! Then we were off to Sunday church services.
Cannon was not going for this picture thing! Maybe it was those ridiculous ears, that his brothers were getting such a laugh over. (To be honest he kept bringing them to people to put on him--then he would pretend to be a doggy!)

Here are 4 of my handsome (and cooperating) boys in their Easter best!

Now where is that little guy...














Aha--I got a picture!! Love that little scowl!

Happy Easter Everyone!

My heart is so full as I reflect on the great gift of Easter.
How grateful I am for the Savior Jesus Christ.

Spiritual Enlightenment for Easter --just click here!