Our Hyde Park Easter

Sunday, April 1st was quite significant this year.  Not only was it April Fools Days and the last day of our spring break, but it was also General Conference and most importantly, Easter.  Out of all the places to be, we were delighted to spend this special time in Hyde Park.  Here we are hiking up Logan Canyon with Grandma Susie a couple of days before Easter.  Annika wasn't feeling particularly inspired to walk, at least until we showed her some butterflies she could follow.

We celebrated afterward with treats from the newly renovated Aggie Ice Cream.  While we were eating, we managed to lose Annika's fuzzy pet caterpillar in the minivan.

Even in Utah State territory, her mustache is Cougar blue.

While in Hyde Park, I lucked out at a car dealership and spun a couple of free tickets to a Jazz game.  Woot woot!  The tickets were especially appreciated since I'd already promised Jason we'd go for his birthday.

This photo is overexposed, but here we are at the game.  We had a pretty fantastic night--not only were our tickets free, but Justin treated us to dinner at Aristo's, we landed free parking, and then we all got free Chick-Fil-A when the Memphis Grizzlies missed some free throws.  Heck, the Jazz even landed a victory!   (If only the same seemed likely tonight as they play the Houston Rockets in the semifinals...)

The perfect Friday night date.


On Saturday morning, Jason and I hustled back to Hyde Park.  After all, we couldn't miss the joy of the Easter Egg hunt.  Sugar!

Brianna, Ruby, Justin, and Aunt Christy all met up with us in Hyde Park for some Easter egg entertainment. 

Dying eggs is serious business.


The final products.


We also headed up to Lee's grocery for their Easter giveaways.  As you can see, Annika was enamored with the Easter bunny.

Meanwhile, the big kids did a remarkable job listening to General Conference and taking notes on every single talk.  There were so many inspiring messages and moments: the solemn assembly where we sustained Russell M. Nelson as President of the Church, the calling of Elder Gong and Elder Soares to the Quorum of the Twelve, the combination of the priesthood quorums, the change from visiting teaching to ministering, and the announcement of seven new temples, just for starters.  President Nelson may be 93 but it's quite obvious that all the rest of us are going to have to run to keep up!

Aunt Christy and Annika enjoy some snuggle time.

Nieces and nephew are the best!

Jason's favorite part of General Conference was taking Annika downstairs for a nap.  At least one of them slept.  :)


Here's Ruby helping Grandpa Charles barbecue some post-conference yummies.


Plus, it was time for our own special egg hunt. 

Ruby's got the perfect basket.

My favorite part was when I told Eli I hid some eggs in the compost pile.

Gullible guy, he totally believed me!

Annika takes a moment to examine her loot. 

Later that evening we went and hung out at the park.  Our daredevil Annika kept promising me that she wouldn't fall.

From the looks of it, I should have been more concerned about our Talia.  Good news, she survived.

Going to bed, I was so exhausted that I explained to the kids that the Easter bunny might not arrive first thing Easter morning.  Fortunately, the bunny had more stamina than I and our munchkins awoke to some pretty snazzy baskets.

The new sticker books were a definite hit.

Here's Grandpa Charles helping Annika with hers.  The little gal has since become quite obsessed.

Easter morning brought one final egg hunt with our hard boiled eggs.


Despite the fact that it was General Conference, I still made the kids dress up so we could take some Easter pictures up at the Logan Temple.

Pretty as a princess...

...but with the spunk of a tigress.

Twinners. 

Not much makes Brooklyn cry, but I've seen her tear up at the thought of leaving Annie behind when she goes to college some day.

Sure love these guys.

Ring around the Rosie.

We all fall down.

Back at home, the new sticker books were perfect for the last two sessions of conference.

Mmm, homemade rolls are amazing, especially when served with Grandma Susie's plethora of jams.

Deviled eggs, salad, rolls, ham, peas, and potatoes: Easter dinner couldn't have been more delicious.

Grandma Susie and Grandpa Charles, thank you so much for welcoming us this Easter/April Fools.  It was beautiful to spend the weekend together...

...and that's no joke.