Happy Easter, everyone!

I don't think we could have asked for a nicer Easter!

The weather was lovely, the kids had a grand time hunting for eggs and eating chocolate, and we had a nice meal together -- our family, Mari's family, Mom, and Dad -- who was back to the farm for the day from the nursing home, where he is still trying to get strong enough to win the doctor's approval to come home to stay. He did pretty well at home for the afternoon, which was heartening for all of us.

Here's a little photo montage of our Easter doings, all courtesy of Mari, who was behind the camera, and is therefor only the family picture above, for which she used the timer!

Erik is on the hunt! One egg in the hand, one left to go.


Amara and her daddy ponder whether there might be another egg in the grass ...


I LOVE this photo! He could be modeling for Gap here. There's a cutest baby contest going on at the local daily paper ... this photo would be a serious contender! The dirty tummy (he'd already fallen in the yard) just adds to the charm.


Sofi's got her two! (The kids were each assigned a color to look for.)


That's our smiley girl! She was excited about her new dress today.


Once all the eggs were found, the kids had a grand time romping at the edge of the trees. Here comes Erik!


Erik and Amara used to be at odds -- now they are big buddies.


I'm not sure what was so serious here ... but whatever it is, it made these girls suddenly look a lot older than they are!


And here are the menfolk, taking in the sun. Did I mention the weather was glorious?!

It's for days such as these, when winter has lost its grip on the land and its people, when family gathers to enjoy each other and the world, when we marvel at the growth of the green grass and even more at the growth of the children ... this is when I realize just how great it is to be at home here on the prairie.