Easter at the Lake
Easter Sunday fell on General Conference this year. It was nice to get up, do our traditional Easter things, and listen to the morning session of Conference. Then we packed up and headed to the lake. The weather was delightful...sunny and mild...not what had been predicted so it was extra enjoyable. We met my mom, grandma, Stacey and John and their kids including John's mom who was in town from Utah, Kelley and Elle and Elle's sister Kendall who was visiting from Seattle, my cousin Justin and his wife Hannah and their kids. My kids were so excited that Justin and Hannah's kids were going to be there. They have a lot of fun with them. Reilly's boyfriend also joined us. (If you must know the bloom is off the rose in that department...how are Tyler and I ever going to survive sons and daughter-in-laws?!)
The teenagers and the dads did a great job hiding all the eggs. Here are all the little kids lined up youngest to oldest and ready to run!! We had to divide them into two groups just so the little kids could actually get some eggs because some of the older kids are very enthusiastic egg hunters. This year was especially exciting because there were three golden eggs. Golden eggs have money in them!!
Then the hunt was on...
Elle and Bryn
Look how excited Paige is!! It was so much fun to see her running around and talking. She is a little cutie pie and loved by all.
Grace and Kam...how cute are our middle schoolers?! Kameron has a lot of fun hanging out with Grace. They make me laugh.
Look at all the eggs that cute Gavin found!!
The most enthusiastic and intense egg hunter of them all...River!! Get outta her way!!
Reilly had her own little Easter Egg hunt... it was how Justin asked her to Prom.
Haylee and Ailey
Hannah and Justin
John's mom Judy and my cute Mom
The Sykes family and the two grandmas...River was not a happy camper.
Then it was time for dinner. It was fabulous. My mom's ham, baked beans, collard greens, potato salad, rolls, veggies and ranch, jello jigglers, sugar cookies, John's mom's famous Sunshine Cake, and my grandma's green punch. It was delish.
Two of the best guys you will ever know!
After dinner everyone headed back outside for the most anticipated event for the adults...the ol' Easter Egg Toss. Yay!!
Ladies first...
This year was momentous because we were joined by the eldest great-grandchild. Reilly turned 18 this year and was thus deemed old enough to toss!! She was pretty excited about that. Some how I missed taking a picture of the guys. I would say that this year's toss was a success!! No one hit the dock, or small children (although my cousin Justin came close nearly beaning Dane and Gavin off of the long dock...ha ha!!), no one had to go for a swim to retrieve one, and my grandma slept soundly through it all. (She is NOT A FAN of this!!) The danger of Granny's wrath has always added an extra element of fear, excitement, mystery and delight to the toss...it's a magic and irresistible combination to naughty grandkids...even when they are in their 30s and 40s. Believe me she can rouse out of a deep sleep or a dementia stare when the words "throwing eggs in the lake" are uttered at the merest whisper with a "What's going on??!!" This year Reilly won out of the girls and my cousin Justin won out of the guys. Good times!!
The kids played on the beach, waded in the lake (I did too), played with worms, and fished.
It was a gorgeous day, the perfect place, and the perfect way to reflect on the miracle of Easter. We really missed my Aunt Bonnie and our other Ellersick cousins. Easter was especially tender this year. I am so grateful to know that we will see this guy again and that we will laugh and joke and tease once more. I am so grateful to my Savior who has made it possible.
I miss you...
Happy Easter!!
