Easter Weekend

So, I took a little blogging break. We decided last minute Friday to head out of town and we were already way behind with our house and life, and being away, has put us even further behind. So, I'm working on playing catch up.

Settle in with a cozy blanket and a cup of coffee because this is a long one.

#sorrynotsorry

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Friday morning, I was talking to my mom while the girls and I were on our way to school. We were discussing our Easter weekend plans, and she told me that both her and my stepdad's family were planning on being at their house for Easter Sunday. 

 We honestly had no intentions of going out of town for Eater weekend..... I was behind on laundry, the house is a mess, and I was looking forward to a low key, relaxing weekend with a few Easter traditions mixed in. But, when my mom told me our family members that were coming, I felt a longing to go home. 

So, I called DJ (who had Adalyn with him at work that day) and he agreed that we could go! Which meant that we had to make sure we could kennel our dog, get the big girls picked up from school, pack for 5 people.... all while I had to sit in a late afternoon meeting that was running even later! 

Once I made it home, I scrambled to finish up the packing and we were in the car a little after 5 and on our way to Arkansas! The girls were pumped to see their Gee and PawPaw again! 

Since we hadn't taken the girls to see the Easter Bunny yet, we decided that we would go on Saturday. Thankfully, there's a new Bass Pro in Little Rock, so we headed there! 

Did you know that Bass Pro gives you a free photo for Christmas and Easter? We got there early, because I knew the line would be outrageous, and DJ stood in line while my sister in law and I took the girls to see the aquarium, and to wander through the store! 

We checked out the fish, played with the toys, took a bathroom break, explored the boats, and finally it was time for the line to move! 

Just hanging out with a grizzly bear at Bass Pro :) 

The girls took a while to figure out exactly where they wanted to sit! Adalyn refused to sit on Mr. EB's lap. 

Did you know that Bass Pro gives you a free photo for Christmas and Easter? We always have pictures made here for that reason! 

After we had pictures taken, we headed to the fire station to see my brother. My sister in law had to drop something off to him, and he let us explore the fire trucks! 

He even took Amelia, myself, and Megan on a ride around the block! 

Megan was afraid that he would turn on the sirens and that it would be very loud! 

Just hanging out at the fire station! 

All of the girls took a turn sitting in the driver seat. Uncle Matthew told them that the drivers had the windows rolled down and stuck their arm out of the window. 

And then we all had popsicles! 

Addy refused to sit on the fire truck, but the big girls did!

As soon as we got home, we had lunch and the girls played for a bit before it was time to dye eggs!

While my mom was baking, I set up the table so we could dye eggs. I love getting to dye eggs with the girls, and this year, it was so orderly! I feel like every year it's just such a big mess, but they did a great job this year! 

I set all of the cups in the middle and divided the eggs among each of the girls. I also gave each of them a large spoon, and they were only given one cup at a time. 

They waited patiently for their egg to color, and then were able to choose another color. They let me help them get the eggs out and we put them in a carton to dry. That evening, they decorated the eggs with stickers. We so do not get fancy with our egg dying. 

Once the eggs were finished, the little girls headed to my brother's house to play, Gretchen decided to stay and bake with my mom and I took a nap! 

And then, DJ and I went on a date night while my mom watched the girls!

We found ourselves at Best Buy, TJ Max, and then we headed to dinner. 

I decided to go low-cal and order fish, because I knew I'd be eating my weight in goodies on Easter!

Once we got home, we finished tucking the girls in and then got their Easter baskets together!

Each of the girls received a pair of Wellie Wisher rainboots from American Girl, and two pairs of knee socks. They all received a chocolate bunny, peeps, a movie, and a Matilda Jane outfit. They also received a little sequin bunny purse and a leather diffuser bracelet. 

Sunday morning the girls were up bright and early! I made them stay in their bedroom and watch a cartoon until 7, and then it was time to check out their baskets! 

Two of the girls were pumped! 

One, not so much! 

We ordered their diffuser bracelets from this shop.

We headed to church and attempted a quick photo before heading in. 

And, once we got home, we took a few more photos! 

It's never easy settling in for a family photograph!

After torturing the girls with pictures, we let them change and we headed inside for lunch.

 My stepdad's aunt was there, and she took to Adalyn right away! Honestly, many of our extended family members have never met our girls or it's been years since they've seen them! It was really neat watching generations come together. 

 Once lunch was over, we gathered for our egg hunt! 

 The Easter bunny never hides our eggs. For as long as I can remember, we would dye eggs and leave them in our baskets. On Easter, we would head to my aunt's house, gather all of the eggs, and the older cousins would go hide them in the yard for us to find. And, we still do that today!

 It was a mad dash to get out the door! 

We had real eggs, fake eggs, plastic eggs, and prize eggs! 

After all of the eggs had been collected, everyone checked out what they received! The prize eggs held bracelets, some money, and candy. 

 And then my mom gathered all of the kids around and gave each of them a fe M&M's. She used the M&M's to explain a little bit about Easter. 

We stayed at my parent's house until around 4. We visited, the kids played, and eventually we knew we would need to head home. 

It's safe to say that Easter wore them out! The little girls slept for half of our trip, while Gretchen read! And, we made it home without having to stop for a bathroom break! Which was the first time ever! 

We had a fabulous Easter! I'm so thankful that we headed home. Our family is so blessed. It was wonderful to see everyone.