Easter 2020

We had a great Easter this year.  It was nice, not having to rush to get ready to go to church.  We did our sacrament meeting at home early in the morning and then the kids went to see if the Easter Bunny came in the backyard.  The collected eggs and then we had the sorting and evening out ceremony after.  :) Then Sadie and I made "resurrection rolls" to have with lunch.  They turned out yummy. 

 Sadie is getting good in the kitchen!

 I was worried when I saw what the pan looked like coming out of the oven.  I didn't think they worked, but they did!

 I eventually did my hair and makeup, which I hadn't done in WEEKS.  So I thought I better document it.  And this is the picture that I drew (following someone's instructions) that she colored for me.

 Opening all the eggs.

 Finley discovered this little nook that she likes to play in.

 Beautiful Sadie with her stash.

 Sorting and seeing what they got!

 They found everything!

 There was an egg up really high and I happen to time this picture perfectly when Sadie jumped up to get it!

 Finley was a good little finder!

 There is always something on the tramp!

 Riley's excitement is so fun to watch.  She is genuinely happy for everyone when they get something cool.  

Before the egg hunt.  

It was a great Easter this year.  All of this staying home has helped us all realize the important things in life.  We have had some amazing discussions with our kids about life and on this day in particular Jesus Christ.  I am so grateful for Him and that he lives.  And that we can strive to be like him and when we fall, He will lift us back up to keep going.  He will help us all through this strange time if we let Him.  

Chalk Art

 I had seen this project floating around on the internet but never really wanted to do it.  Then, the kids got this as an assignment from their art teacher for school.  It turned out to be a lot of fun.  And I love how it turned out!  We were really low on chalk, when we were done there was just a few tiny pieces left!

 Before we took the tape off...

 After.  These three and I were the ones who worked on this piece.  Zac wasn't very interested.  But he made his own picture on another part of the driveway...

It is 4 different habitats and things that live there.  He worked on this for a good long time getting everything on it that he wanted.  

Our friends moved across the country :(

 Our neighbors and really good friends moved away last week.  It's been really hard because this last month before they moved we couldn't even hang out with them because of Coronavirus.  It's been really hard.  Before this all happened, the kids would be together literally every day after school.  They would either be at my house or their house and they would go back and forth playing.  It was crazy, but also so fun for the kids.  But this last month has been so quiet (well as quiet as a house can get with 7 people in it!)  So we planned a little picnic lunch social distancing style. We met in a parking lot and sat across from each other and ate lunch. 

Here is Sadie and her very best friend Brytin giving each other a "hug".  

 Zac and his best friend Bryant.  They will miss each other so much!

 Here was our set up.  They brought pizza, we brought boring sandwiched and cookies.  

Tessa was someone who was so good at bringing people together.  I was really sad that we wouldn't be able to throw her a big going away party.  She really deserved one, but with what is going on with Covid-19 it was impossible.  So I put together a "drive by goodbye."  I was worried nobody would show up, but so many people did.  It was amazing.  They really will be missed.  We love them so much.  

This was the line of cars waiting to talk to them.  It was a tear fest in our car by the time we got up to them.  Finley was sitting in my lap and kept asking why I was so sad.  Sadie broke the rules (with our permission...and theirs) and gave Brytin a long hug.  They were both crying  by the end.  Those two will definitely miss each other.   

 Sadie was so nice and took pictures with her poleroid camera for all the kids to have. Each of the kids got to keep a picture.  I love it.

Then the day before they left, I was feeling really weepy and crying at everything and nothing.  We decided that we were going to break the rules again and let the kids play together all day.  They were in our house while everything was being packed up in their house.  It was so great to hear the chaotic noise that having 9 kids running around in the house brings.  I missed it so much.  

 Riley and Haidyn.

 Sadie and Brytin working on a 3D puzzle and the rest of the kids playing Mario Party in the background.  :)

 These kids....we will miss them so much!!

 Of course the crazy picture.

They have only been gone for 6 days and we have already video chatted with them a few times.  Ha ha.  We have been changed for the better by knowing the Lefler family.  We know that they will bring light and happiness to Pennsylvania.  Good luck you guys!