We had a lovely but busy Easter weekend.  (I was pretty worn out by Sunday evening.) Every time we have people over or have multiple events planned for the weekend, I think “this is the last time I’m doing this until the baby comes”. . . but it never works out that way.

Warning – there are 4 sets of photos in this post.

Photo Story: Friday Evening – Easter Eggs with Ahanna. We got together with neighbors from our previous apartment to color and hide Easter eggs. We did this with them last year. Both girls seemed to enjoy the activities.

Photo Story: Saturday Evening – Josh’s Birthday Cookout. Our original cookout plans were ruined due to the tornadoes on Josh’s birthday, so we postponed the cookout. Josh started the charcoals at 4:30, but we didn’t end up eating until 7 (due to malfunctioning charcoals, etc). Becca ended up skinning her knee, so we had an interesting (but tasty) dinner! (The close-up picture of me was taken by Becca, with help from Josh.)

Photo Story: Easter. We had René, Yani, and Amaris Rodriguez along with Barry and his son Joe over for Easter dinner. I made ham, sweet potato casserole, salad, and rolls for dinner. We had a great afternoon with our guests.

Photo Story: Easter Story Cookies.

(The following text is copied from the instructions we found online.)

Place the pecans in the zippered baggie and let children beat them with the wooden spoon to break them into small pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested, he was beaten by the Roman soldiers. (John 19:1-3).

Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 teaspoon vinegar in a mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross, he was given vinegar to drink. (John 19:28-30)

Add egg whites to the vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life everlasting. (John 10:10-11)

Sprinkle a little salt into each child’s hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus’ followers — and also the unsweetness of our sins. (Luke 23:27)

Add 1 cup of sugar. Explain that the sweetest part of Easter is that Jesus dies because he loves us and is born again to watch over us from heaven. (Psalms 34:8 and John 3:16)

Beat with a mixer on high for 12 to 15 minutes, or until stiff peaks are formed. Explain that the color white represents the purity of those who have been washed clean by the blood of Jesus. (Isaiah 1:18 and John 3:13)

Fold in the broken nuts. Drop by teaspoon onto wax paper-covered cookie sheet. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus’ body was laid to rest. (Matthew 27: 57-60) Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven off.

Give each child some tape to seal the door. Explain that when Jesus was in the tomb, the world was dark and his tomb had been sealed. (Matthew 27:65-66)

Go to bed! Explain that they might feel sad about leaving the cookies in the oven overnight. Jesus’ followers were sad to leave him in the tomb, too. (John 16:20-22)

On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface, and take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On the first Easter morning, Jesus’ followers were amazed to find the tomb was empty. (Matthew 28:1-9)