Easter 2014

My mother and father in-law invited us over for Easter weekend.  We arrived at their house about 3pm on Saturday and stayed until Sunday evening.  It was fun seeing Aunt Laura, Uncle Rafa, Aunt Rosanne, Zoey, Sadie, Fred, and Carolyn.  They set up an egg hunt for the kids in their backyard.  The weather was absolutely perfect.  I got to see my brother, Mark.  I met up with him at Texas Roadhouse after the kids went to bed.  It was great to stuff our faces with food and catch up.  I hadn't seen Mark since last September.  We went to church late Sunday morning.  Easter dinner was delicious... cheesy potatoes and ham.

Baby Bunny

 So I guess there's this holiday coming up soon called Easter.

 My brothers and sisters are SO excited about something called an Easter Bunny who will sneak into our house and bring us all candy.

 What is candy anyway?  Did you just give me some candy?

Let's give this a taste.

Nope.  Not candy.  Quit touching my foot.  I know it's soft and fuzzy, but just let go of it. 

Geesh!  Let go of my ear. 

 This Easter Bunny playing business is NOT FOR ME!

I hope there's more to Easter than this.

Easter 2013

The day before Easter, we attended our ward's egg hunt.  The Young Women were in charge and they did a fabulous job.  I think it was really smart of them to divide the kids us by ages and have three separate egg hunts.  I stuck with Katie and the rest of the nursery kids.  My girl sure knows what an egg hunt is all about.  She was the fastest one!  We overheard someone at church say that there was another egg hunt that morning on the north side of town.  So, we took their word for it and attended that egg hunt as well.  Their were a couple thousand people there!  They had the egg hunts divided up by ages too.  With so many people, the egg hunt was over in less than a minute.  Katie managed to grab about 10 eggs.  Tyler totally scored a coupon for a free doughnut at Lee's Market.  So, Lee's Market was our final stop of the morning.  Tyler got his precious doughnut.  And to our surprise, the Easter Bunny was there!  The line to visit with the Easter Bunny was way too long so we just skipped it.  The market had people walk around the perimeter of the store and there were stations set up for kids to fill their Easter baskets with some goodies.  The best item was at the end where they handed out a nice $10 container of Cheez-Its.  The weather was so lovely that morning.  

Later that day, the kids dyed some Easter eggs.

The Easter Bunny found us and left us a nice note and some fun prizes.

We had a nice time at church that morning.

In the afternoon, we prepped our home for our out of town visitors.

I am so grateful for Easter and for our resurrected Savior. 

I know that He lives.

Family Video - Take 12

Easter Egg Hunt from Lisa Ward on Vimeo.

Joy School - April

This morning we had preschool at our house.  As always, we had lots of fun.  We sang the "Alphabet Song."  When we got to the letter "X," we crossed our arms in an X shape in front of our faces.  The kids thought is was hilarious when I messed up (on purpose) and sang, "Q, R, X."  I told them that they were so smart and that I couldn't trick them.  After that, I put out our 5 Little Monkeys glove on and sang "4 Little Monkeys" with the class.  The  kids imitated me and held up the appropriate amount of fingers as we sang.  It was cute to see a couple of the kids struggle to hold up their little fingers.  A shape of the day was the rectangle.  I drew a rectangle for them, had them count how many sides a rectangle has, and then we went on a rectangle hunt around the house.  Brian was a great helper and tallied up how many rectangles the kids spotted.  Our craft today was to practice writing their names.  I wrote their names lightly on their papers and they traced it with tulip paint.  They did a great job with that.  I was really impressed.  After snack time, it was time for a big surprise.  The Easter Bunny somehow got into our house and left me a poem for the kids:
  

Easter is coming... it's on it's way.

Don't you want to come out and play?

A treasure hunt is waiting for you.

Hop like a bunny from clue to clue.

Fill your bag up with treasure.

When you're done you'll feel so much pleasure.

The Easter Bunny also left us a Treasure Map:

 The kids loved finding each number on the map.  

They got a rice filled egg shaker, an egg with 4 jelly beans inside, and the big treasure:

PAPER AIRPLANES!

Easter Weekend

We had a very busy Easter weekend. 

Amy and Nate came over the day before Easter.

Amy and Nate rock because they brought me three of my favorite things: 

food, presents, and fun.

One of the food items was CHOCOLATE CAKE!

The other was a chilled fruit salad.

 Grandma Hallstrom joined us for the food and festivities.

We had an egg hunt in the backyard for the boys.

After everyone left, I drove to Ogden to pick up 

my brother, Mark from his long ride on the Frontrunner.

Mark is going on a mission soon.
We are so proud of him.

 

Our boys loved playing with Uncle Mark.

Katie looked like a true baby doll in her Easter attire.

Our dinner was pleasantly interrupted by the double rainbow.
The boys were so thrilled and full of wonder.
For over 10 minutes, they couldn't stop hollering in amazement.

My birthday was two days after Easter.  

Stay tuned.

Easter Decor

I like to decorate but I don't like spending money on holiday decorations.  

So what's a solution for a mom like me?

I found the perfect solution for me... DIY (Do It Yourself) home decor!!!

My holiday decorations may not be totally fancy, but I think they work for my family.

And since I have kids, I try to involve them in the process of creating holiday decorations.

Tyler showing off our homemade Easter Tree (made with dental floss and colorful bead-strung plastic Easter eggs adorned with sparkly Easter stickers.) 

Easter Weekend

Tyler and I were SO EXCiTED about our Easter Weekend visitors...

My little sister, Jenny brought her family for a visit!  They came all the way from Las Vegas.  The last time we had seen them was in New York last July.

My almost 2 year old nephew, Ben is so cute. He's 100% boy and loved running around with his cousins. Here's Ben in one of his more quiet, TV watching moments.

Easter Weekend was also General Conference Weekend.  With four little kids around, it was hard for us to pay attention to the Conference talks.  Thank goodness I can read the talks online now.  We enjoyed Papa Murphy's Pizza for dinner on Saturday.  Jenny and I watched all the kids while Sam and Seth were at the Priesthood Session.  On Sunday, we had a house full of people for the afternoon session of General Conference and for a nice ham dinner.  Grandma Hallstrom came.  Amy brought her new boyfriend, Ross.  Jenny's friends, Valerie and Jared came down from Idaho with their new baby, Laken.  It was fun to visit with everyone. 

My boys loved meeting their 2 1/2 month old baby cousin, Sarah!  I think they enjoyed Sarah more than their Easter egg hunt. 

I captured Tyler in one of his rare calm moments:

I'm so glad that Jenny and her family came to see us.  I sure wish they didn't live so far away.

A New Easter Tradition

Growing up, my family would make an Easter Bunny Cake to enjoy after Easter dinner.  It was a fun tradition and I thought I'd start carrying on this tradition with my little family.  This year, things got too hectic and we didn't get around to making the Bunny Cake by Easter.  Last Thursday, my boys were being very fussy.  They love to help make treats in the kitchen and they were thrilled when I asked if they wanted to help me make a Bunny Cake.  Here's the finished product:

The boys each ate a bunny ear the next morning for breakfast (um, I mean a late morning snack ;).)  Later that afternoon, they invited some friends over for cake in our backyard. 

Easter 2009

In preparation for Easter, Brian and I decorated our living room window with an Easter scene. We made Easter eggs, grass, clouds, flowers, and bunnies our of construction paper. Brian was very proud of how it turned out.

We had a wonderful Easter this year. The Easter Bunny hid some candy filled plastic eggs in our living room and kitchen. The boys had fun hunting finding the eggs. Tyler grabbed two eggs, one for each hand, and had fun shaking them. Brian had to get all of the other eggs for his basket and didn't want to share. We divided the eggs up evenly later on. We had church starting at 9am.

Once Tyler was done with his afternoon nap, about 2:30pm, we left for my cousin Jerry's home in Layton. We had a great time with Jerry and his family. Two of my sisters, Amy and Jenny were there along with Seth and my nephew, Ben. We had a delicious ham dinner followed by an Easter egg hunt in their backyard.

~~ HaPpY EaSteR ~~

Easter Tradition

*** I reposting this for all my new blog readers to enjoy. I know Easter isn't for another month, but this FHE idea takes alot of preparation. ***

This is the recipe and script for a Primary activity we did last year. It was a big hit. We presented the story first, had each family assemble their own Family Home Evening kit, and then ended with a treat (Resurrection Rolls) and a video. We watched the end of the Finding Faith in Christ video. The kids had a good time. So, feel free to try this activity with your family. This will be a new Easter tradition for us :)


Resurrection Rolls

1 pkg. Pillsbury cresent rolls (8 count)
4 jet puffed marshmallows
melted butter
cinnamon & sugar

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2. Cut marshmallows in half.
3. Roll a marshmallow in melted butter and then in cinnamon and sugar.
4. Place marshmallow in cresent roll and roll up tightly.
5. Repeat steps 3 & 4 using up the rest of the rolls and marshmallows.
6. Bake in oven for the amount of time directed on cresent roll package.

(The inside of the cresent roll becomes “empty” after baking.)




Easter in Eggs

For a unique presentation of the often-heard Easter Story, cut apart the following scriptures and put them in correspondingly numbered plastic eggs. Add the appropriate item (In parentheses) except for the 12th egg, which should remain symbolically empty.

Serve the eggs in a decorated basket, from an egg carton, or at each place setting at the dinner table.

This adds a nice touch to a church lesson, family home evening, or as a member-missionary gift to a non-member. Or play a game of “scrambled eggs” by having players match the scriptures to the items, or putting the story in sequence.

1. And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless not as I will but as thou wilt. Matthew 26:39 (sacrament cup)


2. Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests, And said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver his unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver. Matthew 26:14-15 This fulfilled the prophecy in Zechariah 11:12-14 that Jesus would be sold for 30 pieces of silver (3 dimes)


3. When the morning was come, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death; And when they had bound him, they led him away, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor. Matthew 27:1-2 (knotted twine)


4. When Pilate saw that he would prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person; see ye to it. Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children. Then released he Barabbas unto them, and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified Matthew 27:24-26 Do we also was our hands? (chunk of hand soap)


5. And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe. And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head and a red in his right hand; and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews! And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head. Matthew 27:28-30 (square of red velvet)

6. And after that they had mocked him, they took the robe from him, and put his own raiment on him, and led him away to crucify him. And as they cam out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon, by name; him they compelled to bear his cross. Press this nail into your hand…feel how it must have hurt. (toothpick cross, tiny nail)



7. And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots; that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet…And sitting down they watched him there; Matthew 27:35-36 (small pair of dice)


8. Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; …Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God. Matthew 27:50-51; 54 (tiny bag of crushed rock or potting soil)


9. (Then Joseph, a rich man) went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered. And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: Matthew 27:58-60 (strip of white cloth)



10. And he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulcher, and departed, Pilate said unto them (the chief priests and Pharisees), Ye have a watch; go your way, make it as sure as ye can. So they went, and made the sepulcher sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch. Matthew 27:60, 65-66 (a stone)


11. And when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary, the mother of James, and Salome, had brought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him. And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sad upon it. And the angel…said unto the women, fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. Mark 16:1, Matthew 28:2,5 (bay leaf or other herb)


12. HE IS NOT THERE: FOR HE IS RISEN, AS HE SAID. Matthew 28:6 (empty)

Candy Belly

Happy Easter!

Make a free ecard - it's easy!

On Easter morning, my little family ate candy for breakfast (except for Tyler of course) and then headed off to church. Church was good as always. After church, we went to my sister-in-law, Laura's place to visit. For Easter dinner, we had honey glazed ham, mashed potatoes, blueberry muffins, jello, and corn. It was delicious. Then we went on a walk over to the duck pond. Brian enjoyed chasing the ducks. It was a nice relaxing day. (Oh yeah, and the cute bunny ear headband Tyler wore was made by yours truly.)

A NEW Easter Tradition!

This is the recipe and script for a Primary activity we did last week. It was a big hit. We presented the story first, had each family assemble their own Family Home Evening kit, and then ended with a treat (Resurrection Rolls) and a video. We watched the end of the Finding Faith in Christ video. The kids had a good time. So, feel free to try this activity with your family. This will be a new Easter tradition for us :)


Resurrection Rolls
1 pkg. Pillsbury cresent rolls (8 count)
4 jet puffed marshmallows
melted butter
cinnamon & sugar

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2. Cut marshmallows in half.
3. Roll a marshmallow in melted butter and then in cinnamon and sugar.
4. Place marshmallow in cresent roll and roll up tightly.
5. Repeat steps 3 & 4 using up the rest of the rolls and marshmallows.
6. Bake in oven for the amount of time directed on cresent roll package.

(The inside of the cresent roll becomes “empty” after baking.)




Easter in Eggs
For a unique presentation of the often-heard Easter Story, cut apart the following scriptures and put them in correspondingly numbered plastic eggs. Add the appropriate item (In parentheses) except for the 12th egg, which should remain symbolically empty.

Serve the eggs in a decorated basket, from an egg carton, or at each place setting at the dinner table.

This adds a nice touch to a church lesson, family home evening, or as a member-missionary gift to a non-member. Or play a game of “scrambled eggs” by having players match the scriptures to the items, or putting the story in sequence.

1. And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless not as I will but as thou wilt. Matthew 26:39 (sacrament cup)


2. Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests, And said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver his unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver. Matthew 26:14-15 This fulfilled the prophecy in Zechariah 11:12-14 that Jesus would be sold for 30 pieces of silver (3 dimes)


3. When the morning was come, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death; And when they had bound him, they led him away, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor. Matthew 27:1-2 (knotted twine)


4. When Pilate saw that he would prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person; see ye to it. Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children. Then released he Barabbas unto them, and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified Matthew 27:24-26 Do we also was our hands? (chunk of hand soap)


5. And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe. And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head and a red in his right hand; and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews! And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head. Matthew 27:28-30 (square of red velvet)

6. And after that they had mocked him, they took the robe from him, and put his own raiment on him, and led him away to crucify him. And as they cam out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon, by name; him they compelled to bear his cross. Press this nail into your hand…feel how it must have hurt. (toothpick cross, tiny nail)



7. And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots; that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet…And sitting down they watched him there; Matthew 27:35-36 (small pair of dice)


8. Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; …Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God. Matthew 27:50-51; 54 (tiny bag of crushed rock or potting soil)


9. (Then Joseph, a rich man) went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered. And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: Matthew 27:58-60 (strip of white cloth)



10. And he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulcher, and departed, Pilate said unto them (the chief priests and Pharisees), Ye have a watch; go your way, make it as sure as ye can. So they went, and made the sepulcher sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch. Matthew 27:60, 65-66 (a stone)


11. And when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary, the mother of James, and Salome, had brought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him. And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sad upon it. And the angel…said unto the women, fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. Mark 16:1, Matthew 28:2,5 (bay leaf or other herb)


12. HE IS NOT THERE: FOR HE IS RISEN, AS HE SAID. Matthew 28:6 (empty)