Happy Easter!

Despite all of the recent preparations, I'm not sure that Blanden is old enough to have known that Easter, in terms of one particular day, was coming. But he is definitely making the connections between the bunnies and eggs featured in his books and all the decor and festivities surrounding him in real life -- and I think it's safe to say that he had a great Easter Sunday celebration.

First, a visit from the Easter bunny. (Ellis isn't even here yet and he already has his own basket! Thank you, Grammy and Papa.)

Blanden was very excited to sit down and sort through his goodies this morning...

Which included three more zoo animals for his collection, his first Brain Quest flash cards (thank you, Martha and cousins Ella and Joshua, for introducing me to Brain Quest a few years ago and for giving the Easter Bunny this idea without knowing it), five new Clifford books (Blanden really likes Clifford lately), and some edible treats: a chocolate bunny, M&Ms, and Rice Krispie treats.

Blanden doesn't recognize much candy by the packaging. He really likes M&Ms, but he just tossed the little packets aside when he saw them. When he pulled out the last book, however, he turned to us and asked, "More? More?" (Lucky for him, he did indeed get more books later on in another Easter basket from his aunt Nancy, uncle Jim, and cousins Jeremy and Gretty, who know him well.)

After our own little Easter celebration at home, we headed to Highlands Ranch to attend church with Aunt Nancy, Uncle Jim, Jeremy, and Gretchen, which was really nice. Then we were all off to Colorado Springs to meet up with Grandma and Grandpa and Uncle Nick, and Blanden had his first Easter egg scavenger hunt.

Grandma had hidden special zoo-critter eggs just for Blanden. Jeremy and Gretchen showed Blanden how to do it...

Before they took off in search of their own golden eggs. (Blanden was definitely getting into it.)

Hanging out with just the boys.

Relaxing after all the eggs (and the goodies inside) had been found.

And to cap it off, we celebrated three family birthdays with ice cream and homemade cake. Happy Easter!