Easter Sunday

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; Old things have passed away; Behold, all things have become new.  2 Corinthians 5:17

It was a beautiful Easter Sunday.  We had my parents here with us.  When Sarah woke-up she immediately wanted to check her Easter basket to see if the bunny had left her any "surprises".  Of course, there was a bucket of goodies for both girls.  Sarah was a little disappointed though that she didn't get to "pet the bunny".  (I think she told my dad, the night  before, about 5 times before falling asleep, that she just wanted to "pet that bunny". - so cute!)  If you ask Sarah what is special about Easter, she will tell you about the Easter Bunny and the surprises that he brings, but she will also tell you that "Jesus is ALIVE!"

We went to church early and enjoyed a delicious Easter breakfast with family and friends, then a little Easter egg hunt, followed by a nice church service with great music.

After church we headed to Hesston, KS for the Hastings Easter get-together. 

Growing up we always went to my Grandpa and Grandma Hastings house for Easter weekend.  We would stay all weekend and get to play with our cousins.  Somehow the Easter Bunny would always find mine and my siblings Easter baskets at grandma and grandpa's house, giving us candy and a surprise.  I remember getting clothes, or a toy, or even a fishing pole one year.  We would attend the Clearwater Christian Church with my grandparents and parents Easter morning.  I remember taking communion there sitting next to my grandma Jo.  Always toward the middle of the service she would have a bag of peppermints that she would dig out of her purse to share with all of us.  And, one hymn that will forever remind me of those Easter mornings at church there in Clearwater, KS will be "Christ the Lord is Risen Today". After church we would stand around while the grown-ups visited with old friends, then we'd head back to grandma and grandpa's for lunch, the big Easter egg hunt, and some Wiffle Ball.  What great memories of fun times shared with my grandparents, parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, and cousins!  Here is a picture from an Easter past... it is of my siblings, Matt and Lindsee, and I with our grandpa and grandma Hastings.

We had lunch and lots of FUN in Hesston this year.  My cousin, Josh has a great place out in the country for playing outside... a tire swing, little playhouse, lots of room to run, and egg hunt, Wiffle Ball, roasting smore's, an old barn and silo, and fishing in the creek.

 MMmmmm Smore's!  We tried making them with Peeps this year.  It didn't work so well, because the sugar on the Peeps got super HOT while on the roasting sticks.  After they cooled they tasted super yummy though.

Here is Jackson and Sarah - they played with the bike and wagon for a long time... Jackson gave Sarah and Phoebe rides like this all around the yard.

We caught some small Bass and little Perch in the creek.  Sarah was excited to use her new "Dora the Explorer" pole.  Although she didn't actually catch any fish, she enjoyed touching the fish that other's caught and helping to throw them back. 

It was a great day!  Thank you God for sending your son to this world to die for us, so that we may live.  Christ the Lord is risen today, Alleluia!