Happy Easter

It's always a treat to celebrate Easter at my Uncle Emil's farm. He has a few baby calves this spring. The kids enjoyed seeing them and feeding them. Ethan just arrived at the gate and got his first look at the cows. It was cute watching him peak through the gate and then look back at me with excitement.

And of course, he quickly climbed the gate to get a better look

My mom took my brother's kids to the other side of the coral to see the baby calves

Here's one of the baby calves. Cute little guy, it's a shame he'll be a hamburger or steak someday.

Ethan looked so tiny in this tractor wheel

He certainly had fun investigating

Noah is carrying corn to feed the cows shovel full by shovel full. It was heavy and the shovel was as big as he was but he made it from the silo to the cows with most of his load

Ethan was excited to try out the shovel too

Back for another load. Grandma had a great idea, use a bucket...

Grandma is showing Maddie and Noah that it might be easier to fill a bucket rather than using the shovel

This is my Uncle Emil - he is a great man; ornery and full of love and kindness for everyone. This farm was the family farm before my grandparents passed away. The family always gathers here for Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas (with lots of visits in between).

Grandma showed Maddie and Noah how to use teamwork to carry their heavy load

Maddie and Noah actually go to giggling so hard they kept dropping the bucket...it was pretty preciousThe cows are happy to have a snack

I'm pretty sure this one is sticking its tongue out at me...he doesn't need to worry, I don't want his food, really.

Grandpa is showing Ethan the cows. We are only minutes away from the Easter egg hunt

Grandpa helped Ethan find a few eggs and let he and Evie enjoy a few treats too.

My mom and sister Mandy

My brother Jeremy with Isaiah, his youngest of four. Maddie and Noah (feeding the corn) are also his.

The big kid area of the egg hunt. It's pretty hard to find the well hidden eggs in the equipment but the kids don't give up until every last egg is found. My aunts and uncles are so much fun. They walk around with pockets full of eggs and not-so-discreetly toss one next to a kid and yell that they are missing one...it gets the kids super riled up and it keeps the energy fun.

Ethan is digging around for a treat. He handed me a piece of candy to open and actually started crying when I put it back in his bag...turns out he has a sweet tooth just like his mom and dad...

Enjoying the loot

The Smith family together for a photo...a rare occurance.

Isaiah picking up a few last eggs that we were tossing at him from Evie and Ethan's basket. We couldn't help it, it was just so cute watching him pick them up and proudly put them in his basket

Ethan (I should say we) totally scored...since we're the ones eating all his candy

As we were getting loaded up in the car Evie asked if she could look at the cows one last time. Here she is saying goodbye to the cows, chewing on hay

...another wonderful Easter.

Neighborhood Easter egg hunt

We are at our annual neighborhood Easter egg hunt. Ben, the guy you see in the black sweatshirt and his wife Maureen and their nine, yes nine, children organize the event and hide the eggs.

We are lucky to live in a neighborhood with lots of kids.

And she's off...

Ethan's off to a slow start but he's having fun with his empty bag...

Now he's getting the idea

Hey, how'd that get in there...

This is Ethan vigorously flinging the eggs out of his bag which is naturally the next step once he has put an egg in it.

Taking a break to enjoy some of her goodies

Once Evie had a piece of candy she basically stopped looking for eggs and just ate candy.

Our sweet neighbor Sarah is sharing one of Grace's eggs with Ethan

Evie, Grace and Ethan. Grace and Ethan are close in age and it's cute to see just how different they are being boy and girl. Grace is just this sweet little petite thing with this dainty voice and Ethan is a totally solid 22lbs and can keep up with his sister just fine in a yelling match.

Our good neighbors; Sarah, Grace and Mark (Mark grew up in Lincoln and he and his family just recently moved back after spending the past three years living in Thailand)

Ethan's getting his hustle on now that the hunt is over

After the egg hunt we were able to spend a few minutes chatting with the neighbors. The past few years it has been so cold that we just make it through the egg hunt and hurry home.

I don't know what we are doing to ourselves...after all the candy Evie ate and now a cupcake...there is no way she is eating lunch or taking a nap today.

...but it's worth it to see that beautiful smile

Children's Museum Hero's day

We went to Hero's day at the Children's museum. As we entered we were greeted by characters from Star Wars while the museum played Star Wars theme music. At first, Evie was scared of the stormtroopers. When one of them saw that she was scared he took off his mask and shook my hand to show her he was just a guy in a costume. After that she was Miss chatty Kathy.


It was a bit crowded on the main floor so we went to basement where they have a traveling exhibit area. The current theme is "Get Wild", using a fun safari theme. Ethan is having fun being our tour guide.

Upon entering the exhibit, visitors check in at the base camp tent, where they can pick up their supplies including safari hats, backpacks, and binoculars. They also have dozens of child-size animals. It is a cute exhibit.

Don't forget to write...

And of course Ethan wants to go too.

Our little lion tamer...

Steve Irwin, the Crocodile Hunter, would have been proud.

Getting up close and personal with the stormtroopers and R2-D2

Evie enjoys using the stencils in the arts and crafts area

She also loves face painting...

...and making silly faces in the mirror

Ethan is into playing with Thomas the Train.

We peaked into the grocery store and it was bit hectic so we kept moving. It looks like the stockers need to work overtime tonight.

Saying goodnight and thank you to some of our hero's of the evening.

Evie loves offering cupcakes to museum guests. She offered one to a guy and when he went to grab one she said "no, not until you finish your dinner" I guess maybe she has heard that once or twice...

Ethan has to do what ever his big sister does. Surprisingly the cupcakes stay in at that angle....

Ethan spotted Daddy below but couldn't figure out how to get to him

Our little chef for the evening...

And waitress too...

Bon Appetit

Looks like Ethan's pizza is just about done

Our last stop is the VET. Evie is giving her kitty a bath in the sink.

Ethan enjoyed taking (dragging) his puppy for a walk