The Weeden Family: Easter 2012

We had a great Easter this year. It started with the kids coloring Easter eggs at my mom's house. They had so much fun coloring the eggs and decorating them with stickers. Later that day my uncle Brandon and aunt Khristie arrived from Seattle with their two adorable kids Ashley & Ryan. We've all had little crushes on cousins when we are little and don't know any better. Well Emma has set her eyes on Ryan. She was just totally smitten with him. Giving as many hugs as she could, following him around like a lost puppy. Trying to do things to get him to say she looked pretty. It was adorable. haha.

The kids were excited to have the Easter Bunny come. We put carrots out the night before so he could have a yummy snack. Then the Easter bunny came that night and filled their baskets. At my request the Easter bunny didn't put too much candy in their eggs. He filled them mostly with little toys. The kids got MORE than enough candy at their school Easter egg hunt and the family Easter egg hunt.

Easter afternoon we drove out to my cousins place in Gilbert. They have a huge house with a huge yard. They always invite all of our family and extended family out for a big Easter party/family reunion. There are lots and lots of kids of all different ages. It's so much fun for the kids and the adults. Lots of yummy food, and great company! This year was really special though. My grandfather is getting up there in age and his health isn't too good. He is the oldest of 3 brothers. As sad as it is to think about, my grandfather might not make it too many more years. The brothers have all lived in different states for many many years and haven't been able to spend much time together at all. It's been quite awhile since they have seen each other. For this Easter family get-together my great uncle Albert flew out from Nevada, and for the first time in forever all 3 brothers got to be together again. They told stories from back when they were growing up. They laughed and told jokes. It was just incredible to watch them together. There were these 3 old guys that had the youth in their eyes as if they were just boys again. It was so great to see and brought such a smile to my heart.

There was another thing that made it a really special Easter family get-together. My mom grew up in a family of 5 siblings. My mom and two of her younger siblings live here in Arizona, but her older brother Kelton, his wife and two daughters live in California. Her younger brother Brandon, his wife and 2 kids live in Seattle. It's impossible to have all of us in one place at one time. Unfortunately, my aunt Lisa (Kelton's wife) had just had surgery and was unable to attend, but everyone else was there. It was so special for my grandpa to have all his brothers and all his children together again. We were able to get a picture of all of us together, which was really special.

It was an unforgettable Easter!!! :-)

(Emma coloring eggs)