Easter Weekend

Have I mentioned before that we're spoiled?  We are.  We are blessed with great friends and family who go out of their way to create wonderful, memorable experiences for us.  

Friday afternoon, when Aubree got out of school, we headed up to Suncadia to spend a couple days with our good friend Ashlee and her family.  We hit horrendous traffic just outside of town, which left us wondering if we'd ever reach our destination, but eventually we arrived at the "cabin" of wonders. 

Despite not having seen each other for too many months, within moments the kids and their Frank friends were back to best buddy status and excitedly exploring their new surroundings (new for my kids, at least).   

After dinner, the kids all had a chance to decorate eggs (an activity I've neglected for a number of years now...).  The bigger kids got pretty creative with their painting.  All too soon it was time for the boys to go to bed.  Bryce surprised me by insisting he wanted to go to bed, but then explained, "I'm really tired because I couldn't sleep very well last night because I was so excited about coming up here!"

The next morning everyone was up early (yawn!), ready for a new day of excitement.  First, they went on a brief elk hunt, and were thrilled to see two.  Then we met up for a big Easter egg hunt.  As is typical, the organizers divided the kids into age groups.  Unfortunately, all four of my kids were in different age groups, and all the hunts ran simultaneously.  Aubree is more than capable of hunting without assistance, and Bryce had his buddy Maggie.

I stayed with Graham, and Bailey (a 13 year old boy of an Allred family friend who was also staying at the cabin) agreed to keep an eye out for Thane.  Bailey later told me that when the hunt began, Thane ran to an area with lots of eggs, threw himself on the ground, and started pulling eggs underneath him.  He came out with quite a haul!  I'm not at all surprised that my super competitive boy figured out such a strategy.  Of course, as soon as he opened up his eggs, he immediately started giving away his prizes.  He's equal parts competitive and generous.

Graham was in the 1-3 year old age group.  They had his hunt in a big corral.  Initially, Graham did great running out and picking up eggs, but then he stopped and stood frozen.  Confused, I looked around to see what had happened, and realized that Graham had noticed the huge Easter bunny just a few steps away.  Life size Easter bunnies are terrifying, let's be honest!  I distracted him, and he went back to picking up eggs, but only for a moment because as he bent down to grab an egg, the Easter bunny stepped backwards right on top of Graham.  After that, G was done.  Can't say I blame him.

No worries, though, once back at the cabin there was plenty to keep everyone occupied.  Let me just take a minute and say how impressed I was with Bailey.  He spent the entire weekend helping out wherever possible.  He was especially gentle and accommodating with the little kids. My boys adored him.   I kept threatening to adopt him.

Bailey playing peek-a-boo with Graham

 The first weekend of April means General Conference!  I brought a packet for each of my kids with coloring pages, puzzles, bingo, and (for A and B) places to take notes.  These packets were met with varying degrees of success. Conference Bingo is always a favorite activity, and the kids all took it very seriously this year.

Gracee and Aubree

 Bryce and Maggie decided to work together, and for a while they stood right in front of the TV waiting for certain topics to be mentioned.  Once they heard a key word, they'd race across the room to cross off a square.

There were a lot of kids, and lots of distractions, and lots of noise, however, so don't get the mistaken idea that we were able to watch in peace for four hours!

 

In the late afternoon, we made a short trek to the beautiful nearby park.  Bryce and Thane are in a "don't-take-my-picture" phase.  Can you tell?

I have to sneak pictures of Bryce when he's not looking!

 

 Bryce took his big brother role very seriously, and took Graham all over the play structure.  

We stayed in Suncadia until just after dinner, when we needed to head back home.  This departure did not go smoothly as no one wanted to leave.  Bryce declared, "I am NOT going back home.  I'm going to stay here forever!"  Even sweet Graham refused to get in the car.  Argh.

I didn't have much sympathy for them, because I knew more excitement waited for them back home; Katie and her family were staying the night with us in preparation for Easter.  Can you imagine the hubbub that occurred when we got home and Anna, Piper, and Dallin were here waiting for us?

Easter morning, Katie treated us to a Graff family Conference tradition - sour dough waffles with strawberries and whipped cream.  Can you say Yum?!

I think Dallin had 4 plates full! (and stupid blogger insists on autocorrecting his red eyes)

Next we all hopped in the car to head over to Aunt Deanna's for more Easter festivities.  As always, Deanna put on an amazing egg hunt.  All of the kids had baskets full to overflowing.  After breakfast we attempted to watch the morning session of Conference.  Let's just say that 7 kids aren't very quiet.  However, what we did hear was simply phenomenal! 

Such a beautiful day to spend with family and remember the great Atoning sacrifice and resurrection of our Savior, Jesus Christ.  I know that we are richly blessed and I am deeply grateful.