Starting today, Easter is a Bigger Deal

 We feel like we do so, SO much for Christmas, but sometimes Easter gets a little overlooked. This year, I tried a little harder to make it a bigger deal. The Church started a media iniative called #starting today that helped me focus on the greatest event in human history. Also, the Come, Follow Me program had a whole week devoted to the study of holy week from the last supper, Palm Sunday, the atonement and the resurrection. We did a daily devotional and activities that helped us focus on Him and His pivotal mission and role. This really helped us appreciate our Lord and what He has done. We were able to travel to Utah to celebrate Easter and General Conference as the kids had spring break the Friday before and Monday after. We got there late Thursday night and said hi to Grandma and Grandpa and all went to bed. Friday, we woke up with hugs all around for the cousins. Sydnie was so excited especially to see McKenzie and she calls her "My Sydnie". They are pretty sweet and best little friends (with a mix of a little fiestiness). Atticus is a happy little dude, too. Grandma and Grandpa were off work so we talked with them and Julie and played with the kids. The olders played together and watched a movie. Then we went with the Stoddard grandparents to Hill Air Force Base where my dad works to visit the museum and participate in the egg hunt they had going on there. We all had a fun time. Then it was Wendy's for lunch and we visited a new park in Bountiful. Cal and Cov skated, and Sydnie got out and walked around a bit but the girls were being party poopers. Then we went back for Dave's birthday party with his family. We went on Razor rides, had pizza, fruit and salad for dinner along with homemade root beer, then were going to go see Kong vs. Godzilla at the Theatre but it was on a TV subscription Brian had, so we watched at home. The girls helped me make the cake, which was a letter R (for Ryerse) chocolate pound cake with chocolate frosting and all kinds of candy on it. I felt bad that Dave didn't feel well our whole trip, he was congested and kept getting headaches. Poor dude! But he was a good sport and glad to celebrate with the fam.

Saturday, we woke up and made some crepes and did a crepe bar, and had hash browns and sausage for breakfast. Yum! Then we watched the morning session of General Conference with everyone. This session was so invigorating. I have no doubts that the Lord is moving His work forward. The kids were less than enthusiastic about their notebooks I gave them this year (too busy playing), but listened pretty well while playing or doing conference bingo with jelly beans. I made a little mini notebook where I colored in outlines of each speaker and wrote down impressions and favorite quotes. This worked better than my little notecards because it will stay together better and be harder to loose. I like to keep them handy to remind me to make improvements and ponder on the messages. We then had a picnic with Mark, Mayela, Amber and Grandma and Grandpa at North Canyon. We had pulled pork pitas, fruit, veggies, chips and some carrot cake cupcakes. We played at the park, then we enjoyed a sack race. Then it was back to Conference...that 2 hours in between sessions goes by fast. But always good to get back to it. Conference Bingo for jelly beans up next, Cov especially loved that. We watched together and the kids played. Then we went back over to Ryerses. We went on more Razor rides, got some Chinese food, and the men and Cal watched the Priesthood session of conference. Dave said it was really good. Emma and i went with Mayela and Amber to an interesting indoor flea market to get some things ordered for Amber's quincinera. Then went shopping and out for slurpees. When we got back, we had our Easter egg hunt in the dark. This was Grandma's idea a few years ago and is a fun twist on a classic. We had our traditional dozen eggs for each kid to find and a few glow in the dark eggs. There were only 4 that took forever to find. Good times!

Sunday morning, we woke up early (painfully early, according to the kids) to go to a sunrise service at the Stoddards. My mom has wanted to do this for a few years and we are glad we did (though it took about an hour for the sun to come up where we were at). Lucy, Cov and Marko told the story of the first Easter, then Grandma had little speaking parts and scriptures for us to read. We talked about how the sun is a symbol for Christ, and saw the sun come up and cover everything and started the day off right. We looked forward to it getting lighter and lighter and as the sun came up, it literally touches everything. Some things are covered in shade, but the sun covers the earth. The Son of God is always there, giving light and warmth to us all, even if we are in the shadows of sorrow for a while, the Son moves and touches all. We then had a delicious brunch with blueberry French toast casserole, an egg casserole we made, Easter egg bread and cinnamon rolls. We played outside a bit, exchanged Dad jokes, and then watched the morning session. Again, so stellar! We ate a ham lunch after that with asparagus, funeral potatoes, rolls, and salad. Then we did an egg hunt and played outside. Found where Emma and Amber signed their names and wrote BFFs under the slide when they were 6. They are so fun together! We also had a cake for Dave and Marko and sang to them. Sydnie insisted on helping blow out candles and Dave let her as he was not feeling well. Then back to the Ryerses for afternoon session. SO amazing! And another temple for Montana, in Helena! One for Jerry and Stacy in NM, WY in Casper and Smithfield, UT! Those and 16 more, 20 more temples on the earth! Such a huge blessing! Then we went outside and played. We brought some rocks our kids found and split up in teams. Each team was challenged to make some rock art to display a different part of the Easter story. They did a great job and it was touching to see what they came up with. The weather was so beautiful all weekend! We had an Easter dinner with the Ryerses, then played games. Cal, Vadania, Markus, Covey and Lucy had a sleepover where we played a board game, watched a movie and they went to bed. Emma slept over with Amber at Grandma and Grandpa Stoddard's and they had fun doing henna and talking the night away.

Monday morning, we cleaned up, said goodbye to the Ryerses, then went to R&R BBQ to meet up with Amy, Kolby, Boji & Kanon as well as Mom and Mark, Mayela & Amber for lunch. They were camping all weekend and got back just in time. Oh, it was so good to see them! Kanon is now 6 months old and is so sweet! Cov and Boj always have the best time, even if just for an hour or two. We love our family so! What a great weekend with them and celebrating the life, atonement, and resurrection of our Savior! #Startingtoday and everyday after, we can experience the greater hope, peace and joy that comes because of the resurrection of our Savior Jesus Christ. Without that, there would be no need to celebrate Christmas or any other day. He lives, and because He does, we all will live too, not just immortally, but also can have a more wonderful earth life because of who He is and what He did. HAPPY EASTER!