Easter Beaster

Check out this awesome sculpture my brother in law built in Utah's recent unexpected April snowstorm. Totally reminds me of my Dad - every year around this time, he created the "Easter Beaster" by using all our leftover easter egg dyes on our white bunny. It looked about the same.

April remains a lovely time of year. Our kids are now searching for Easter Eggs amongst crunchy fall leaves instead of daffodils, but it works. (Each got to invite a friend to the U.S. Embassy Egg Hunt.)

It's an interesting month for the family. Annie was born on Good Friday, and we brought her home from the hospital on Easter Sunday. My Dad passed away two years ago this month and my sweet Mom's birthday is the week before. I'm sure wishing we could be there to celebrate with her (plus my sister and the two other cousins whose birthdays are in April, including a baptism this year!) So while missing people at home, and thinking dearly of my Dad this month, it's nice to have a joyful holiday to celebrate.


A few years ago we re-vamped our Easter traditions when my mom gave us this fantastic find. Instead of bunnies and eggs full of sugary delights (we still do those, just as a separate "spring celebration") the book outlines ways families of all ages can celebrate all week with insightful daily devotionals and fun, while spiritual, activities. The kids eagerly anticipate it every year with Easter becoming a favorite & more meaningful holiday. You can purchase your own copy at amazon.com (here) if you're interested. (Ours isn't going so well this year seeing as the book is packed away in our shipment which STILL has yet to land on the continent - something about "delayed by weather" - grrrr.)

I've also been inspired by a series of posts this year by an amazing blogger mom (Chocolate on My Cranium) who has transformed their Easter celebrations to include some serious study, learning, and fun with her brood. The crafts, activities and discussions are definitely worth a look. (Review her daily blogs of the weeks before Easter for the crafts accompanying her countdown.)

So while we won't be camping in Tasmania over Easter anymore (again, the gear is with our shipment) we do look forward to celebrating Christ's birth making some new memories here.

Happy Easter!