Bunnies and Eggs!

What a great and relaxing Easter weekend we just had! Somehow - after years of any kind of "holiday" being absolutely exhausting - I still have trouble believing we can add extra activities and non-routine happenings to our schedule and it still be relaxing. But that is exactly what happened this past weekend!

Our tradition is to spend Easter weekend with the Swearingens, Earls, and my parents. Last year, we hosted an evening glow hunt, and it was a BIG hit with the kids. We decided to do the same this year (minus the small fire on the back patio, haha)! 

Everyone came over on the evening of Friday, April 7th. We ate dinner together, then *patiently* waited for it to get dark enough outside to do the egg hunt. The older kids were not interested in hunting this year, which was very bittersweet. I mean, I knew this day was coming, but it feels different when it's actually here! To keep the little girls occupied during the wait (which felt so very loooong to them), we did a little photo shoot.

Cutest little girls around!

💜💗

Brecklyn, Sadie, Brooke, and Caroline

Love them so!

Finally, the sky started to get darker (and more colorful), and it was almost time!

Bren didn't care about the egg hunt . . . he was just ready to play some glow frisbee!

And they're off . . . find those eggs!

Caroline

Brooke

Brecklyn

Brecklyn

Brooke

Brecklyn, Grampy, G-Jo, Lisa, and Chloe

While the little girls were still hunting eggs, the dads and big kids got the frisbee game started.

Chloe, Ross, Brooke

The sky was just gorgeous . . . such a nice evening!

All the loot!

The big kids also wanted to have a fire, so we got that going, too. I love these type of evenings!

The next morning (Saturday, April 8th), we slept in, cleaned up the house from the night before, then decided to dye eggs. I'm not sure how many more years the kids will be interested in this activity, but I always enjoy it. 

Brecklyn and Brooke

Brooke

Brecks

Brianna and Bren

Bri and Bren

All the smiles make my heart full. These are the times I will always cherish!

The Coloring Crew!

💙💙💙

Saturday afternoon, we had the best time just being home, soaking in the beautiful outdoors, working our garden, and fishing. It was truly so wonderful. It was exactly the reprieve we needed in the middle of this hectic time of year!

Preparing the garden

We borrowed this tiller from our neighbor, and Bren wanted to use it. I couldn't believe he could control the thing, but he did a great job. He's just growing up so much. 

After gardening, Chris drove the kids down to the pond to do some fishing. I loved that they all jumped in the back of the truck for the ride!

Enjoying the beautiful weather and some fishing!

On Sunday, we got all ready for church early so we had time for photos and Easter baskets. 

The Nelson Family, 2023

💜

Brianna

Brenson

Brooke

Brecklyn

Baskets of goodies all ready to go!

I love when the kids first come out and see their baskets. The smiles are priceless!

Brooke was so happy with her dog-in-a-purse!

Brecklyn was thrilled with her fox-in-a-purse!

The boy loves playing cards, and this is a fun variety!

Crazy girl . . . must be related to CrazyNel, haha!

Dots Pretzels make this girl happy!

💗

I made these shirts for our upcoming vacation . . . we are excited to wear them!

All the kids were thanking me for their gifts . . . I adore this photo!

I remember the very first Easter after the twins were born. It was a very stressful day, and I'm pretty sure I cried like six times. While I loved having babies and all the blessings of that stage of life, this stage of life is amazing, too. I adore the ages the kids are right now, and I am just so thankful for weekends like this one!