Happy Easter

I'm sorry but how stinkin' adorable are they? They clean up pretty well. Charlotte helped Nana make this dress while we were in NYC. Charlotte got to pick out the fabric all by herself. She was so proud to wear it. Evan hated the tie and the top button buttoned. I promised him that as soon as I took a picture, he could take it off... which he did as soon as I said "Okay". It's too bad because he looks so cute in it.

How different could our children possibly look?

The Easter Bunny came!!

I love Evan's hair.... and Charlotte's Cousin It impression.

Easter candy makes Charlotte strike a pose.

Later that morning, I took us on a surprise adventure. I told them they'd need their sneakers and a jacket and I packed a lunch for everyone.

First we went to Salem Lake to walk to my favorite spot. The lake is still drained partially for dam repairs. I hope they finish soon. The water is usually up to the foreground of the above picture.

After almost a mile of walking, we got to the bridge and my favorite spot.

This stream with it's little waterfalls and big flat rocks is so amazingly peaceful. I was worried the kids might get bored but they loved it! They didn't want to leave.

I told them that we could come back whenever they wanted and that when it got warmer, they could play in the water. They loved that idea.

Jon was the only one brave enough to take off his shoes and wade through the freezing cold water. The kids only played in it a bit with their hands.

Evan saw Jon sunbathing and wanted to try. He copied the heavy sigh that Jon let out when he laid down. After a second of laying still, Evan popped up to go have more adventures with Charlotte. Sunbathing is too much stillness for Evan.

Jon's beautiful picture of the canopy. I love the colors of spring. They're so bright.

After about a half an hour at the stream, we started to get hungry but the lunch was back at the van. On our walk back, Evan got tired so I gave him a short ride. That boy is heavy.

Charlotte and Evan ran ahead of us on the way to the stream but on the way back, Charlotte wanted to be grown up and walk back on her own. As she got more comfortable, she ventured farther and farther ahead of us. She's stop every once in a while until we came into view and then she'd run ahead. You can see her in the picture above if you look closely. I love how independent she's getting. Doing these "grown up" things gives her so much confidence.

After more walking, Evan got a ride from Jon.

They got new sunglasses from the Easter Bunny.

Charlotte sporting her new shades.

We had a picnic lunch before heading to the water to feed the geese.

I love this picture of Charlotte running toward me to get Cheerios (to feed the ducks and geese).

The geese are well fed around here and pretty picky. FYI, they prefer bread over Cheerios.

Once the geese were done hoping the Cheerios would turn into bread, we got back in the van for our final surprise adventure.

We went to one of the playgrounds nearby. The kids were happy and Jon and I were happy sitting under a tree in the shade.

Okay, I promise I didn't make them hold hands going down the slide. They did it all on their own.... though I missed taking a picture of it. I asked them to repeat it just so I could take a picture. It's one of those moments I hold onto so when they argue, I can replay this moment in my head.

Once we got home and had a little rest, Jon hid some eggs outside for an Easter egg hunt while I tended the garden for a few minutes.

It was a great day and a great way to finish off a great Spring Break!