Easter 2011

For Easter this year we went to Chez Grandma and Grandpa for an extended weekend. Geoff took off two days, and they're the first two days he's taken this academic year that weren't for job interviews. (And last year 100% of his days off were divided between "paternity leave" for Hazel's birth and our move to Minnesota. That boy needs a vacation!)

Anyway, my mom, who does much for everyone and asks little in return, had a simple wish for a family photo. It has been harder than it ought to be to get everyone together in the same place at the same time (see above), but we managed to accomplish it at Easter! Huzzah!

The cousins were very excited to see each other:

I had resigned myself to the fact that one or more of my children might be acting up and it would be immortalized in poster size, but instead the photo came out like this:

Everyone's even looking in the right place, no matter how young they are. As soon as this was over Hazel squirmed to the floor and bolted out into menswear, with Geoff following her, and Cora and Logan holding hands following him and providing commentary.

Speaking of cousins glad to see each other, wasn't it just the blink of an eye ago that these two were little lumps who just sat there? Now they want in on the action.

This year Cora and Logan got to dye eggs together.

Logan fished some eggs out of the dye with her fingers.

This year's name eggs:

Cora enjoyed trying on some pieces of family costume jewelry.

And Saturday night, while all good little girls were sleeping, Easter Bunny Ashley and Easter Bunny Alex hid the eggs.

 

 

Easter morning the girls awoke on schedule to do the egg hunt!

 

 

When Hazel gets tired of holding her arm up, she just rests her hand on top of her head, and walks around that way for a while.

I think I must kiss this little face about eighty times a day, and looking at this picture, who can blame me? That face begs to be scroonched.

 

And then it was off to the traditional Easter Brunch at the Waukegan Yacht Club. 

Three pictures from Aunt Tricia:

Little girls in Easter Dresses: 

I love it when they're both smiling at once:

Easter basket toys from Grandma and Grandpa:

We headed home Easter afternoon and stopped for dinner in Wisconsin Dells at Buffalo Bill's, where, as you can see on the rail in front of Geoff, there, your food is brought to your table by a train. Kid heaven!

And with her kids' meal Cora got a free ticket to ride one of the rides in the adjoining amusement center. She did very well on the tornado:

Great Easter!