Easter 2012

With Kalianna's birthday the Sunday before, and Magdalyn's the Sunday after, we decided we wanted to stay home for Easter this year. We've actually been wanting to have a quiet Easter at home, with a yummy special dinner, since we got married. Then every year we get invited somewhere, usually to more than one place. Well, with the sandwiched parties this year, we finally decided to put our foot down and say no. We turned down two awesome parties to just spend the day together as a family. It's not something we get to do very often, with Matt's work, school, and homework schedule. So I was completely selfish this year, keeping he and the girls all to myself. The day before, Matt's mom stopped by and gave the girls their Easter presents. Magdalyn got some cute little bunny ears (above) and Kalianna got a pretty Easter bracelet.

The best smile I could get out of her

We started out Easter morning with the girls hunting for their baskets. That sneaky Easter bunny! He left Magdalyn's on top of the pantry, and Kalianna found hers in the dryer. The girls immediately dug in (even Maggie, who Loves chocolate) and I had to put the baskets up for later. The girls each got six eggs with a little bit of chocolate in them (is there candy other than chocolate?), a new book for church, sidewalk chalk, a chocolate bunny, a ring pop, and a little chick that cheeps. We went and saw baby chicks recently and the girls were enthralled, so they each got their own (minus the eating & pooping). Then we had a yummy breakfast of sticky buns.

She did not want to smile for me! She just wanted to check out her basket!

That's more like it!

Chocolate!

Heading up the stairs with her new baby chick

Holding their new chicks

I love 11:00 AM church! It made Easter morning so nice! After breakfast, the girls got dressed in their new Easter dresses. Since my mom took them shopping a couple weeks ago, Kalianna has been dying to wear hers!

After church the girls went on an egg hunt. Kalianna had a ball finding the eggs, but she wanted to eat all the candy right then.

Magdalyn even got in on the fun! We put a couple eggs down low for her to find. She would pick them up, shake them, then put them in the basket and clap for herself. One of the cutest things ever! I love that Maggie has started clapping for herself whenever she knows she has done something right.

While the girls went on their hunt, I had some eggs boiling on the stove. Then once dinner was in the oven and the eggs had time to cool, we decorated Easter eggs. Kalianna had so much fun, but was sad when the eggs ran out and she couldn't do more.

She was super careful about dipping them. It was so cute!

The finished results

Holding up her favorite egg. Surprisingly not pink! It was green with little paw prints on it

I've always wondered why a lot of people choose to have ham for Easter dinner. What does ham have to do with Easter? Matt and I wanted to try a more traditional Easter feast and make lamb. I've never made lamb before, so it was an experiment. But it turned out so good! It was super delicious! I also made a spinach spring salad, with homemade balsamic dressing, and herb mashed potatoes. And we had sparkling apple cider to drink. Best Easter Dinner Ever!!! I'm going to have a really hard time going back to ham after this.

After dinner the girls were pretty tired so we got in jammies and watched a movie until bedtime. I'm so glad we had the opportunity to spend the whole day together!