The Easter Bunny can bring a miracle.

This year we had our annual Easter Egg Hunt at Grandma and Grandpa's house. We do this every year, and it's fun to see how the kids have all grown; until they become too old to participate. At some point, they decide that they are too old to join in the fun. That is when this face happens:



Brian, you can pretend that you don't want to be out there, but we know better!

Most of the candy and eggs are on the ground, there aren't many places that you can hide things in this yard, so it seems pretty easy for the older kids.

Then again, we can find some pretty tricky places to put things. The trees have some nice branches that hold eggs, among other things, that make it a bit more challenging. Who am I kidding? One good shake of a branch, and the eggs, along with a bushel of needles, will come raining down upon you.

Shake it, Miriam! Shake it for all you're worth!

Some of the grandkids get a bit too excited when it comes to the long awaited hunt. They just can't contain themselves. Secretly, I think Whitney is stealing Taylor's eggs when he isn't paying attention. Why else would cousins hug so much?

Some of the eggs have to be more difficult for the older kids, because we have to make it harder. This is where Uncle Doug thought it would be a good idea for Sydney to sacrifice an arm to the chicken wire, in exchange for those prized candy-filled eggs. What a guy. 

This year, we had some super-fun toys in the mix. This is Doug, and his brother, Ron, in their "disguise". I don't know what it is, but suddenly, they actually look alike......

Even Celisa thought the glasses were super cool! Ah, who am I kidding? Her smile is adorable!

Why is it, that whenever someone puts on a pair of glasses, they start thinking they are a Rock Star? 

Whitney couldn't wait to wear her glasses, she had to start living the rock star life while looking for her next candy fix, she just couldn't wait.

Then, as if it couldn't get any more fun, the pirates came out.

Ahoy, ye mateys!

Hunter had a chance to learn how to wear a pirate earring and eye patch. Every young boy should know how to do that, right?

Trust the actor to know how to do it right!

Aaaarrrrgggghhhh!

This is what happens to your teeth after eating all that easter candy. Just one more of the Dentist's favorite holidays. I think we'll be buying him a new car this year.

There were bubbles-a-plenty to find, and Nene and Sydney took full advantage of the moment. Jaxson had a blast! What a cutie. I'm thinking of a great Christmas present for Shannon this year. A bubble machine would give her some seriously needed time off!

Even though this is at the end of the blog, I saved the best part for last. Grandma and Grandpa opening their mission call. Yay! I'm so excited for them! I can't remember the exact place, but they are serving in Eureka for the handcart treks they hold there. They will meet so many people while they are gone for the summer, I can't wait to hear about all their adventures! They always chat up the most interesting people, and have wonderful stories. This will give us a chance to add them to our missionaries that we pray for. What a fantastic example to the family. I'm so proud of them.

Happy Easter! (It's late, I know.)

We sure love you Grandma and Grandpa! Our prayers and our hearts are always with you.

Hoppin' down the bunny trail....

We had a great Easter this year, just like every Easter. We always get together with Doug's family and have a great big easter egg hunt. I don't think there is as much hunting as there is just picking up, but now the kids are bigger, and we can make them hunt in the trees. That is much more fun.

There is always too much food, and with all of the candy, I don't think any of us will have to fix a meal for several days. Candy is a food group, right?

This is a picture of all of the nieces and nephews from 2006:

For some reason, I keep forgetting to gather them for another picture every year, so all I ever have are random pictures. They are more fun, though.

Don't let all of the laughter and goofyness fool you, we take our easter egg hunting very seriously in this family. Miriam most of all:

Try as I might, I could not get her to smile for a picture. That is some serious candy, I guess. Of course, all the men always end up doing their own thing after awhile.

They all seem to get bored after the excitement of hiding eggs and harassing children, so they gather where they can be left alone to rebuild their testosterone supply and feel manly again. That is the reason for the gathering across the street to oogle over Ron's new UTV. Within a minute or so of taking this picture, all of the guys were over there, leaving us women to defend ourselves against the hordes of children that were all hopped up on sugar. Looks like the kids enjoyed it, though.

After all is said and done, there is lots of family love to go around. Some feel it more that others...

As we all know, it isn't a party until someone loses an eye, or until there is a bloody nose, in this case. Wow, I didn't know that excessive amounts of sugar could do that to you. I'm going to be more careful in the future.

The kids always have to sort the spoils to see who got what, and which one of them ended up with the most money that Grandma hides. How come my family didn't hide money for me as a kid? I feel cheated. Maybe I will be a kid next year, I miss the Easter Bunny.