Tuesday, April 7, 2015

Happy Easter - Happy Forever More

Porcelain Easter rabbit and bouquet of flowers sets atop piano

This year Easter saw our family transition from an Egg Hunt to an Egg Drop


The cousins are growing older and the Dads are happy to say goodbye to the egg hunt tradition that once sent them scurrying outdoors to hide eggs, immediately following dinner. There was no time for that after-dinner nap or joining the basketball fans on the sofa—rather, they had to hop out on the lawn and magically hide 200 eggs, in a well-manicured lawn — a mind boggling chore.


The egg drop point was the tree house, the highest point in the yard, with the goal to drop the eggs to the ground without breaking them. Each of the cousins had prepared in advance a "contraption" to encase their egg for a safe decent. Some chose foam, parachutes, balloons, and even a plastic jar of peanut butter. There were several drops before a winner, including three drops off the deck and onto the slate patio. In the end, the egg cushioned in six-inches of foam that floated to the ground via a parachute, won the prize!

Our Easter hosts thought out of the box to create a perfect afternoon dinner for all

We had fajitas rather than ham or other traditional Easter fare. Since the guest list was 30 to 35, the idea was to have a simple buffet style meal, AND yummy. Jeff and Greg grilled - Jeff grilled skirt steak over charcoal and Greg grilled marinated  chicken breast, served with grilled onions and green peppers. You missed out.



So everyone rolled up all of this yummy meat in a fajita; layered it with vegetables, cheese, sour cream .... There were chips and chips and homemade Salsa, bean dip, and guacamole; and the 7-Layer Dip. Every food group was covered with the addition of two bowls of fresh fruit and sauces. And,  Lisa and Katie brought deviled eggs, a family favorite.

Easter dessert table


The dessert table was a blitz

There was the traditional lamb cake, baked by Amy and frosted by Gwen and Clara. Amy made Rice-Krispie-Treat lollipops, decorated with Peeps; I made apple pie slices and a cherry pie. Jeff made and decorated a fabulous carrot cake; all served with ice cream and whipped toppings. And Julie brought EasterBunny Chow, a recipe she found pinned on Pinterest and sure to become a family classic.


Easter morning began with the celebration of the resurrection



We don't all live in the same city, and don't all go to the same churches. Darrell and I visited the church our children attend in Branson, Mo., Woodland Hills FamilyChurch,  where they had a baptism before the service and another following the service for those who had made a decision to follow Christ during the message. It was overwhelming to see people profess their faith in Christ and follow His command to be Baptized, all on Easter Sunday.

James River Church celebrated Easter with a confetti drop
Julie took this photo at the James River Assembly service, where they celebrated the resurrection with great joy, ending the worship service with a confetti drop.

In the end, it takes a nanosecond for the family to go from church to play clothes; closely followed by dinner, conversation, naps and games, embracing the time we share on this day that began 2,015 years ago to proclaim the resurrection and life evermore. Selah!

an after-dinner nap on Easter

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