Easter Blessings

Last year, we spent Easter Sunday packing and prepping for Trip #2 to Russia the following day. We were tired and never even slept again until we got onto the plane (yep, pulled an "all nighter").

This year, I'm tired and once again, almost pulled an all-nighter simply because I wanted to make sure that our little one's first Easter home was memorable. I wanted to get the house ready for the Easter Bunny's arrival and then start cooking and cleaning before hosting Easter dinner here at our home. JD's mom (or my mom...depending on which Coast we were in) has been the hostess for almost every holiday for years and years. This year, everyone suggested we go out but something down deep made me want to host it here ~ kinda like a right of passage way overdue. Now that we have our own family, it's time to grow up...

While our angel sleeps soundly buried into her pillows...

...the Easter Bunny arrived leaving a trail of chocolate eggs leading to Kristina's Easter Basket.

Kristina woke us up early at 7:30am (usually she sleeps in until 9:30am!!) and we dragged ourselves out of bed so we could be there when she found her Easter basket. When she exited our room, she found a trail of little chocolate eggs that lead her all the way to the living room where her Easter basket was. Ahhh, the excitement in children! You'd think she found a million dollars with the joy she showed in finding chocolate.

"Oh, Mommy and Papa ---- look! Kahklet!!!"

"Oh my godsh."

"Look, a rabbit!" Note to the Thomas family....does the Easter basket look familiar? This Longaberger Basket was a special welcome home gift from dear (former) Ohio friends. Thank you!!!

Kristina opening a special Easter gift: replica Faberge Egg pendant that opens. Very Russian.

I got this pendant (and a few others for future holidays) from The Russian Shop.

We decided to go to the 11am Mass and we made it to church by 10:45 --- I think we got the last 3 seats available in the back of the church! Kristina was an angel for the first 30 minutes but after that, she began to get antsy. She watched other children walking around, climbing up and down chairs, etc. so it must be ok...she thought. Wrong! It was challenging keeping her at bay but by the end of Mass, she was ready to go.

Ha...how angelic she can look!

We had to stop by the Our Lady of Guadalupe area -- where I sat for years praying to be blessed with a child. Our Lady of Guadalupe is my patron saint!

Kristina and Papa..and, of course, "baby" who is also dressed up in her Easter dress!

As I prepared dinner, JD began to hide Easter Eggs in the front yard for the 4pm Easter Egg Hunt. Kristina's friends Kira, Gaby, and Andrea came over and it was GREAT seeing the girls scatter all over looking for eggs. As if 40 eggs weren't enough, when all of those were found, the girls went across the street to Kira's yard to find more. Nothing like a little bit of sugar to motivate kids to find something. Now if only her shoes and socks were made of sugar....

And they're off!!

All 4 girls found the spot where many eggs were hidden.

Now on to venue #2 across the street!

Note the orange egg in the tree that Kristina is about to find...

Yes, this is Kristina sharing the egg and giving it to Kira who's desperately searching for another.

Hey, look what I scored!

All done and taking a well-deserved break. Whew!

Look who was caught red-handed eating the goods she found on the Easter Egg hunt!!

Dinner was almost ready when the Easter Egg Hunt finished. The dinner menu comprised of:

* Spinach and strawberries salad
* Apricot glazed carrots
* Roasted asparagus
* Baked Macaroni and Cheese
* Creamy potatoes
* Honey glazed ham (ok, turned out to be ham jerky...sorry guests!)
* Fresh fruit
* Red Velvet Cake
* Cookies
* Bunny Cake

Our guests today were Nana & Grampa, and neighbors Marc & Rose. It was such an enjoyable evening. Incredible how it takes hours/days to prepare and in a matter of minutes, the food is consumed and then it's ready to clean up!

Digging in to the meal we are thankful to have.

Kristina loving the attention from Grampa and Nana and enjoying the frosting on the bunny cake Nana made. YUM!

Kristina did well but definitely had too much sweets. By 8pm, we started turning all the lights down, warmed up some milk, and quietly watched "The Amazing Race" together. Before the last team reached the Pit Stop, our little angel and I fell asleep in each others arms on the couch. A wonderful way to end the Easter holiday.

Kristina sleeping after spending her first Easter home...looks like our angel is praying!

Easter blessings to all!