easter weekend

we desperately needed this weekend away in the sun.  even when it rained a smidgen, it was nothing compared to the dreariness we've been subjected to in salt lake as of late (i'm ready to file a complaint).  it was time for some warm weather and break from life.  

on thursday nat and i drove our families down to the george in (what felt like) the middle of the night.  it was a long drive and gavin was miserable.  crying from being in that dang seat for so long and way past bed time.  i'm not sure i'll jump on the idea to drive down in the evening ever again.  at least not until the little guy is older and more patient with the process.  

friday morning, we woke up to sunshine which made the longish evening worth it.  this was the view from the front door of the house. green everywhere. i wish i'd remembered to take a photo of the house itself.  i'd planned on it but forgot.  next time.

my mother in law had the fridge stocked with food and packed lunches for all of us to spend the day at a splash pad of sorts.  as we made our way there we realized it was right in the middle of the arts festival going on that weekend which made for a fun setting.  there was a decent live band and the temperature was just right.  the kids splashed in the water for hours and i basked in the sun.

husband was there looking handsome as ever and possibly contemplative but more likely just grouchy.  don't rush out to buy a pair of his awesome sunglasses.  they're only available if you have access to the glove compartment in my dads truck (shhhh).

after splashing and basking we visited a cute little candy store of sorts and stopped to smell the roses.

the kids loved hanging out with their "2nd cousins once removed."  the only reason i was able to get a photo of cayden without him freaking out was because james was so willing to turn and smile for the camera.  peer pressure can be a beautiful thing.

brooklyn and miriam are the best of friends.  they get along so well and have so much fun together.  she misses miriam terribly already.

on saturday we took the kids for an easter egg hunt.  our kids pretty much sucked at it.  we have some serious practicing to do before next year.  gavin had no idea what was going on and wouldn't go out to grab eggs without me.  brooklyn just stood there and started crying when they said "go!" and cayden didn't even come but that's another story.

brooklyn and i felt really special when we were able to meet baby sofi for the first time.  she belongs to jake's cousin sarah.  born at only one pound, she is now five months old and weighing in at a whopping seven pounds!  she is the cutest, tiniest little baby.  smiling and cooing.  she went sound asleep in brooklyn's arms.  thank you sarah for letting us visit!

my hunky husband went on a nice little run with me.  no ear warmers or wool socks.  the temperature was perfect, the breeze just right and the company top notch.  he is such a good sport even though he complained about his stiff legs the rest of the weekend.  wimp.

baby nephew had his first birthday party and made us all smile and laugh all weekend.  he is my favorite baby nephew but i fear i can no longer call him "baby" nephew.  sniffle. i believe it's time he has a sibling.  i just adore him.

the kids dyed easter eggs with grandma.  cayden wrote "UofU" on one of his eggs and drew a skull and bones on another.  so festive.

the easter bunny came and hid eggs all over the family room and kitchen.   when gavin woke up and took in the scene he told me the easter bunny "made a mess."  the nerve.

sissy in her new easter dress (my kind of easter dress!).  thank you grandma.

we had fun, we got some sun and loved hanging out with our family.  but, all good things must come to an end.  eventually, we had to pack up and drive home.  the closer we got, the darker the sky became.  such a bummer.  luckily my view from the passenger seat was a good one. 

hopefully we can go back sooner than later.

xoxo