Easter Eggstravaganzas & Arrowlyn's Blessing

We spent the past week prepping and enjoying some Easter festivities at home.

On Monday, Zeplin and I dyed eggs and decorated them with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle stickers. (BTW, this is his new obsession.) It was actually a lot of fun and he really enjoyed this. He was very hands on - even a little more hands on that I anticipated so it was fun to do this with him.

He also enjoyed eating the eggs throughout the week. I don't blame him - Hard boiled eggs are my favorite snack too.

We had a good time crafting as a family & hanging our creations up to share with everyone that came by.

On Thursday, Zeplin and I came home, from a trip to Nampa, to a pleasant surprise of having been ‘Egged’ by a little Easter bunny! Matt was already home so he pulled Zeplin's basket out so Z could enjoy the hunt - which he certainly did! Someone loaded us up with eggs filled with tiny bags of candy. I made Matt hide them so that I wouldn't eat them all.

Friday was full of unexpected surprises! After a fun little play date with the Howard family at the Wings Center, my littles and I met up with my mom in Meridian to do a little shopping. We were in the baby section when I placed over my shoulder to see my brother running right at my face! I screamed and shielded myself because, to be honest, he actually scared me.
I was not expecting him at all. He even brought his son, Gage, with him. (Although, I called it - I told Matt that Robert was sending me messages that made it almost seem like he was in town.) We ended up spending the rest of the day with him.

 We rushed home to get swimsuits for the kids and Robert took them swimming at his hotel pool. Zeplin had so much fun and really loved spending time with his cousin and uncle.

After swimming, we took off to grab some dinner and see the new Batman vs. Superman movie. It seemed like a great idea before we went but once we got there, I started to feel so afraid that it was going to be a disaster .... my fears were not valid - both my kids were awesome and we even got to actually watch the movie!! Arrowlyn woke up at the perfect time as we were pulling into the drive way at home! YAY!

On Saturday, after spending a few hours with Matt's mom and grandma, we all loaded up the family and drove to Ann Morrison Park to let Zeplin have fun with their Easter activities. He got to be apart of the egg hunt with other kids his age - he enjoyed it the most.

 We had to hurry home because that afternoon, we were having our family over to bless our little Arrowlyn. 

It was a beautiful day and we were surrounded by so many loved ones.
Matt's mom & grandma made it over from Rexburg. My parents came and my father was the one to give the blessing. Matt's brothers, Adam & Jeremy made it. And my Aunt Dawna, Uncle Leonard, cousins - Jill and Muggy and my brother, Robert with Gage were all there. The 2nd counselor was there to be the witness since our bishop was still in Hawaii.

 

My father gave Arrowlyn a beautiful blessing. I tried to keep myself composed so that I could really pay attention.
What stood out the most to me was blessing her with strength in all things. Physical, mental, and spiritual strength so she can overcome any trials she comes up against through her life.
Jeremy recorded her blessing for me so I can go back and listen to it again. (I wish we would have recorded Zeplin's.)

On Easter Sunday, we all slept in until almost 10am. It was magical. I was beyond excited to play Easter bunny and couldn't wait for Zeplin to come down the stairs to his fun basket.

After we said our goodbyes to our family from our of town, my parents showed up and went to church with us at our ward. It was a great service with a beautiful message and we were happy to be there. Zeplin was a wonderful little boy. He was quiet and respectful as he sat next to his daddy and grandpa. Arrowlyn slept peacefully in my arms until sacrament was over and we could go home.  

I love my family so much.
This was a beautiful weekend and I felt so blessed to be surrounded by all our loved ones. I am so thankful for my Savior and his atonement for my sins. I know I am not perfect ... all I want to be is enough for my husband and children. I know Christ's sacrifice can fill in those gaps where I fail so I can be what He needs me to be for my family.

Happy Easter!