Easter Blessings

It has been a long time.  The dust is settling and I am able to take a breath occasionally and reflect.  I sat down today to decide where to start.  There is so much to catch up on, it is a little overwhelming.  So I thought I would start with our family calendar and my last post in March.  I foresee many posts to catch up.  Chronologically the next McDonald Clan event was Easter, and a beautiful Easter it was!

Easter was special for a variety of reasons.  We had so many blessings on our little family in that fleetingly short week.  It was one of our first "real" holidays with our little clan complete.  We were able to share it with quite a few extended family members. Chris and I were able to meet Adam's (Chris' brother's) fiance.   Chris was ordained into the Melchizedek priesthood.  Chris was able to do William's baby blessing. AND did I mention it was Easter!  One of my very favorite holiday's. 

I remember Easter's growing up.  Next to Christmas, it was the largest celebration for ALL of our family.  My Grandma's house was always full of people, laughter, and food.  My uncle and his family would come down from Wyoming. My step brothers would usually be with us for the weekend. Quite often we would have some close friends (practically family) staying there for a few days.  The first day we were all together My grandma would take all of us shopping for an Easter dress and shoes.  I remember that shoes, hats, and (on at least one occasion) gloves were important.  We would have to go to either JCpenny's or ZCMI to get them.  Hats and shoes had to be white.  The boys had to wear a tie, and a jacket. We all had to look cohesive if not matched together. It was really important to my grandma, and a fond memory for me.  I smile a little as I write this and realize that I have subconsciously done it this past year too.  Millie didn't have to wear her hat because she wouldn't keep it on, but we all had to have "appropriate Easter outfits" before the event. 

There were always Easter activities the day or two before Easter as well.  Usually an egg hunt or candy toss at a park, farm, or field.  Followed by Easter Egg decorating at home while the women started to prepare ahead for Easter dinner the next day.  Some of the parents would sneak off together to go shopping for baskets or bunny gifts while the kids would decorate eggs and watch cartoons.  The men would all be out in the backyard (weather permitting) talking about "guy stuff", admiring vehicles, and trying to stay hidden away enough that they didn't end up with "the list" of things that needed to be done.  Again, subconsciously we have celebrated much the same way.  

The week before Easter we went to the mall (JCPennys even) to get Easter clothes for everyone.  Millie needed some white shoes for her Easter dress.  While there we got a photo with the Easter Bunny.  A few days before Easter we had some activities on the base for the kids.  We got to make the cookie decorating station, and the kids had a ton of fun "helping" me bake cookies.  Unfortunately the dog had a lot of fun "helping" to eat them the night before.  We were frantically baking sugar cookies late into the night and again the next morning in order to have enough. It all went off without a hitch the next day, and we ended up with just enough cookies for the kids to decorate. On a side note... I also learned that it can be very tricky to make lavender colored frosting (at least for me).

The week before Easter we went to JCPenny to get Easter clothes, and also got the obligatory "Bunny Shot". 

Getting ready to go to Easter activities

Coloring while we wait for the Easter bunny

Face painting

Millie was a little wary of the face paint

cookie decorating.  We got to bring this activity this year.

Easter bunny

Sorry so blurry, but it is the only one I have of Millie egg hunting.

Really it should be called egg racing instead

That is as close as she would get.  The Easter bunny tried to hold her for a picture all day.

The Friday before Easter Chris' family drove up.  It was a harrowing trip on some icy bridges with screaming children and cramped space, but they made it safely to our house in the middle of the night.  The next morning Duncan and Millie were thrilled to see the company we had.  We had a great time playing with the kids, getting to know each other a little better, hiding Easter baskets, decorating eggs, learning and teaching the reason for Easter celebration, and eating a big Easter dinner.  Complete with kids table.  That evening for dessert we were able to surprise Chris' brother Nathan with a birthday cake and presents for his birthday the following week.  It seems we are never there when a family member has a birthday, so we were excited to be able to show we were thinking of him.

Easter day was big.  We all got up early and got ready for Church.  Nathan and Melissa made breakfast for everyone.  We all got together and held a family prayer before heading off to the church.  We were able to get there a little early so that we could all assemble for Chris' ordination.  The blessing was special in so many ways. Not just for Chris, but all of the family.  It brought us a little closer.  It truly meant a lot to have so many family members there.  We went outside for a bit afterwords to let the kids run off some steam before having to sit quietly through sacrament. William's blessing went nicely.  Chris was able to give him the blessing with Curtis, Nathan, and Adam there for family support as well as some wonderful friends in the circle that we hope to have in our lives, even when distance separates us, for eternity.

After the blessing and Easter Sacrament the extended McDonald Clan needed to head back home.  Chris stayed at the Church and I drove the kids home to let everyone in the house and get ready to go back to Utah.  By the end of the day I had so many new reasons to have Easter as my favorite holiday.  It was so very special all over again.