Easter Egg Hunt with a view

This year we had our Easter Egg Hunt in an amazing place, my son's current backyard.  There was plenty of places to hide eggs while enjoying beautiful mountain views.

These are our Utah grand children and they are just waiting to be told, "GO!"

It was fun to watch them from the deck as they scurried about.

Little Ceci had a bit of help from her mom.

And her brother and father.

They had a lot of ground to cover in their hunt.

I wonder if next year when Raymond  is twelve, if  he will decide to hide rather than gather.

Oscar shows his golden egg, which was where the money was.

He was pretty proud and happy.

One final swing through the yard.

Adult viewing area.

Then it was time to check out those eggs.

Opal took this seriously.

Henry's great big egg pile.

Yes, cousin Jenny, you are too old to hunt but thanks for coming to Easter Dinner.

Ceci checking out her eggs away from the busy table.

It was a great afternoon.

"This is my new Easter dress and sandals."

"These are my bunny ears that I got for Easter.  When my grandma came to stay with me for a while the next week, I chose to wear them instead of my favorite hat."

Easter 2016

Easter came early this year.  And for the first time in years, we did not celebrate it in Arizona.  My spring time dishes had been moved north and the Utah grands would be joining us for our traditional
Easter dinner followed by an Easter Egg Hunt.

Many of the Utah grands had missed the Easter when I knitted spring time critters so this year I put together a few super soft sock lambs for them.

The little miss looked lovely in her  pillowcase Easter dress made from Wonderland fabric.

Have you ever seen cuter bunny faces?

Older cousin got one, too.  Both were really quick to sew up.

Ray graduated this year from hunter to hider.  He was so sweet to help his little sister, Opal, out.

Henry and Oscar were in it for the big haul.  Yes, Grandpa Glen did include money and fireworks as well as candy in the eggs.

Henry really cleaned up in "$" eggs!

Oscar found a few as well.

Ceci just held on to her favorite egg.

I just had to get a picture of her in the tulips.

As you can see, the forsythia was in bloom outside as well as on our Easter table.

I love that they are such good cousins!

Our final shot with Grandpa looking on.

And then I shooed him back inside.  Can't wait until next year!

I hope that you enjoyed a happy, colorful Easter as well.

Arizona Easter 2015

This year we enjoyed another Arizona Easter.  Sometimes I feel that we need to hold on to this home and its lovely outdoors just for family Easter celebrations.  The weather warm, the grass green, the trees with leaves, blooming things, and that makes it just about perfect.  The family is growing (yeah!) and we no longer all fit around the long dining table with its four extenders.

There was a girls' table with really cute girls, wooden tulips, and fuzzy chicks.

An adults and very small people table with fresh tulips thanks to my daughter Janae's family.

Janae wasn't sure if Opal would relinquish her tulip bundle, but she did.

And there was a boys' breakfast bar with clicking chickens.  They loved it because the special sodas and homemade rolls were right in front of them.  I will not comment on Henry's special smile.

A little four square to work off dinner.

We have the only driveway in the whole neighborhood with an incline, so this activity moved across the street.  Thanks Denise for the use of your driveway!

As the shadows lengthened, we shooed them back inside for strawberry shortcake so the the dads, visiting older 2nd cousins, and TJ could hide over 200 eggs.  Our Easter Bunny does everything big.

The grandchildren were released through the front door from youngest to oldest.

That means handsome Warren got to go first.  He attended last years event but was so small.  This year he was a participant!

Mabel in her rabbit ears and new Easter dress.  You should see it twirl!

Julianna loves the egg hunt and totaling up her loot.

Heather humored me and hunted eggs one more time.  We also had a discussion about her age.  I told her she was 12 because I can not yet process 13.

Ruby posing on the bench under the ash tree.  It was just a year ago that we did our family photo shoot near that tree.

Sadie is a careful hunter.  I don't think that anyone had to point out any eggs she missed.  We have our own unique way of egg hunting.  I put different stickers for each hunter on their eggs.  They have to find the ones with their sticker.  It evens things out, takes more time, and then they help the little ones.

Toby especially likes the eggs holding cash or fireworks.  Yes, you read that right.  An idea which is wholly grandpa inspired.

Henry and his family get the award for traveling the farthest.  He was so happy to be in Arizona and in the swimming pool.

Raymond is growing up way too fast.  He is especially sweet with his little sister.  They are on Spring Break this week so left our Mesa house on Monday morning for California and the delights of ocean, sand, Lego Land, and Disney inspired fun.

Hi Warren!  Handsome dads make handsome sons.

A TJ sandwich of three generations, Grandpa Glen, TJ,  and his dad.  TJ was awarded a large egg with more cash than his younger cousins.  Thanks TJ for being the oldest and always so willing to help.

It was a perfect day!  Nothing better than family.  They are my joy.

There was a little bit of drama that I overheard when Warren approached Opal's basket.

"No Warren!  Those are mine!  You, (pointing toward the door) go inside now!"

And he obeyed.

I love life's special moments and longtime memories.

Then it was time to light those fireworks.  Did I mention that this required a trip to Evanston one Saturday back in March?

And that's a wrap!  Thanks to everyone for coming!

Bubbles and an Arizona sunset provided a perfect ending.