Easter Day 2011

We were in St. Matthews this year for Easter. The Easter Bunny found us and brought us lots of surprises.

Banks' basket - soccer shirt, goggles, Scooby Doo coloring book, Bumblebee Transformer, and a small chocolate bunny

Hughes' basket- baseball shirt, goggles, dinosaur coloring book, Starscream Transformer, and a small chocolate bunny

Collins wondering where his basket was?

Oh yeah, it's right here! Collins' basket - formula, a light-up ball, and a small chocolate bunny that I will eat.

After our basket surprises, we hit the yard to find the eggs that the bunny hid. Charlie also wanted to find the eggs but he just wanted to eat what was inside of them. This made for a few eggs popped open and their treats mysteriously gone.

Hughes' running and jumping trying to get the egg off the limb.

Charlie the master egg hunter

After our morning egg hunt, we went to church where the kids were read The First Easter and then had an egg hunt at church.

David and Collins listening intensely during the story.

Banks checking out his eggs.

Hughes, Mac Felder & Emma all checking out their eggs.

Banks exhausted from egg hunting.

Family Shot - don't mind the bare feet, the untucked shirts, the baby not looking. At least David is put together.

Collins' First Easter

Neighborhood Easter Egg Hunt

We had our neighborhood Easter egg hunt this morning. As usual, it was a huge success and the boys loved it.

Before leaving the house - the first picture I get all three looking and Banks decides to stick out his tongue!

Walking to the egg hunt - the boys were pretty excited!

The Gang - Wyatt, Conley, Hughes & Banks

Hughes spying some eggs.

Collins in his bunny suit ready to take a stroll.

And, they're off!

The loot - it was a very successful hunt!

Now, we begin the yearly tradition of the neighborhood kid picture.

Hughes and Banks did a great job this year of sitting with their baskets during the pictures. In the years past, I've typically had to be in the picture holding one of them.

More kids join the picture.

Big Group - when we first moved into the neighborhood there were 3 little kids - now, look at us!

We had a great time. The boys loved it and they're ready to hunt some more! I hope the Easter Bunny doesn't disappoint.

Why Charlie?

Charlie tried to hunt eggs, too.  I guess he thought he would mark them!

Easter Day

The Easter Bunny came last night.  He left crocs, musical toothbrushes, M&Ms, and rubber snakes.  He also left a ton of eggs in our backyard. 

Hughes checking out his bag.  Later, he would refuse to hunt eggs.

Banks loving his new toothbrush.  This boy loves to brush his teeth and that's a great thing!  He goes to the dentist for the first time this summer with Hughes.

Banks decided that he was going to hunt the eggs by himself.  He put on his crocs and hit the yard.  As you can see, the Easter Bunny just threw the eggs into the yard.  I think he was really tired.
Before church.  Hughes is eating orange TicTacs - a new favorite.

And later after church and lunch,  Hughes finally decided to hunt the eggs in the backyard.  I was so happy b/c I knew I was going to end up picking them all up.  Unfortunately for me,  Hughes threw back the ones that didn't have candy inside them.

We had a wonderful Easter Day.  The church was packed.  We got there an hour before the service started b/c we knew it was going to that way.  The first good thing that happened:  Banks and Hughes went right into the nursery with no crying.  In fact, Hughes has a favorite nursery worker unbeknownst to us.  Second good thing:  Elizabeth had reserved us a pew.  Third good thing:  The service was amazing.  Lots of singing.  Lots of praising.  A beautiful message.  It was one of those services that puts everything in life into perspective and you walk out feeling like you could conquer the world!

We had lunch at the rectory with family where the boys ran and played the entire time.  One of Hughes' favorite places to go is Hudson's house.  Every time we go near the church, Hughes asks if we're going to Hudson's house.  As a tradition, we had the money hunt again.  And I'm proud to say that David and I came out the big winners!

It's been a great day filled with lots of family and fun.  But most importantly, Jesus has risen and we have everlasting life.  Hallelujah!

Neighborhood Easter Egg Hunt

On Saturday, we had our neighborhood Easter Egg Hunt.  All the children in the neighborhood met at 10:30 with empty baskets in tow at the stop sign.  

Banks before the big hunt.  If he looks confused, it's because it's his first real hunt.

David laying out a game plan with Banks - which house to hit first, how to dive in front of your friends for the eggs, and last but not least how to shake the eggs to see if there is any candy inside.

 Hughes finally decided to join the hunt after realizing there was candy inside the eggs.  Let's just say I don't think my eldest got my competitive spirit.  

Banks staring down an egg.

The Holman Crew - Charleston Version

Anne Wimberly, Hughes (3 1/2), Banks (1 1/2), and David

Am I doing it right, mom?

Oh, yeah!

Check out that cupcake! 

Dad with the egg hunters.  We donated two dozen to the hunt and brought home 5.  The Easter Bunny had to go and buy some more plastic eggs for his Sunday hunt.  Maybe next year, we'll be more ready.

Easter Egg Dying

Today, we dyed Easter eggs at Suzie's house during playdate and, also, had a small Easter egg hunt.  Hughes was interested in the the dying for about two eggs and Banks just wanted to drink the pretty juice - THE DYE!  I had to wrestle a few cups out of his hands without spilling dye all over me or him.  I finally got him away from the table and finished the project myself!

As for the hunting, well, Hughes was not interested.  I think he got overwhelmed with all the excitement and decided to go play trucks by himself where it was quiet.  Hughes does not like loud noises and unexpected commotion.  He hunted eggs with Conley the day before and did fine so I know he can do it.  It's just a matter of wanting to do it - we'll see how Saturday goes at our neighborhood egg hunt.  Banks was a little slow on the hunting, too.  We'll have to do some practice sessions in our backyard.

side note:  David is at playdate b/c I locked us out of the house - he was a good sport!