Easter 2016 weekend

Oh holidays.  I love them and despise them all at the same time.

I love them because it's good time with family, lots of food, fun activities, etc.

I hate them because of all the prep I feel like I have to do - which most of the time I never do :)  And even though I don't do it, mom guilt in me feels like I should do it.  But then I don't because there is never enough time.

But guess what?  At the end of the day, I still do really love them, missed naps, lack of preparation, long days, tired bodies and all.  Because of the looks on my kids faces.

Goofy and all (who can seriously get a decent picture these days with little kids?!  If so, tell me your secret!) the looks on their faces when they are told it's time for another Easter egg hunt - or they get to see another family member they love or the Easter bunny did end up stopping by (even though that was questionable because a certain someone woke up at 5AM again) or the cute looks they give you when you ask them to kiss.  

Because those are the moments that make the stress of the holidays as a mom totally worth it.

Oh and the moment when their Nana busts out the silly string at Easter for the second year in a row and squirts you with it!  Charlie will now officially never stop talking about it!!  Haha!

We started our Saturday with a long drive to my cousin's new house to have dinner with my mom's side of the family and enjoyed a delicious lunch (complete with 3 of my grandmother's homemade pies!!!) and an Easter egg hunt that my cousin and her husband hosted.  

We had lunch and then headed for our long drive home in which the kiddos napped - then went straight to church for the annual Easter egg hunt.  We ran into lots of friends - but oh man, seeing Kate is just the cherry on top of the day for Charlie.  These two are two peas in a pod!

Instead of going to church right after the hunt/activities which we usually do - we figured with no naps and a long day that our kids would be a bit of a mess in the church child care, so we went home and enjoyed a quick dinner before an early bedtime. Then Jimmy went to watch the KU game with his family - and ehhhh that didn't turn out too well.  Sorry Jimbo  - both of our brackets are busted.

As I mentioned, the next morning the Easter bunny passed up our house at first - and then on his way out of our neighborhood, decided to drop a few things off in their baskets.  And the kids were thrilled.  Charlie loved all his Cars 2 cars and Maddie did love her make up.  So much!

We seriously went out in a snowstorm for 8AM church.  Seriously.  SNOW STORM!!  At the end of March?!?  It was crazy!  Luckily I had some warmer clothes that matched and looked cute but seriously - it was FREEZING!  My mom came over after church and brought some more Easter goodies that the kids loved!

After naps (that were decent) - we headed over to Jimmy's parents house and all of sudden it was almost 60 degrees and perfect weather for the annual Carter Easter egg hunt!

And seriously?!  These 10 cousins - are the best.  (Obviously Charlie was SOOO into the picture).  But I love how all their personalities have started to come out - especially Will in this picture - lol he is hilarious!

When we got home, before baths, Maddie convinced her dad to be her first test subject on her play make up and of course, he couldn't say no.  How freaking cute are they!?

The Easter holiday and message is just one that I love so much.  Listening to the Easter story of the hope that Jesus' resurrection brings to us all is one that I could listen to over and over again.  It does give me hope.  The perfect amount of hope that I needed to hear about and feel restored again.  It's crazy how the same message you hear each year can have a different meaning for your life in each stage.  It's always good to hear again and again.

Hope you and your family had a blessed Easter weekend!