Easter with the Brassarts

Easter this year was our first Sunday worshiping in-person with our church family! We had services outside, and we had to register and go in shifts, but it was in-person! I was too excited about being a part of a real worship service that I didn't snap any pictures, unfortunately. We were absolutely thrilled to be there. Mom, Dad, and Amiee also joined us for the weekend!

Because Easter was just a week or so before Lily's birthday, we had a family party for her (cat-themed, of course):

Nana brought ALLLLLL the fun things!

It was a gorgeous cake, as demonstrated by Lily's reaction.

Lily got a gardening kit (per her request)

And woodland creature puppets

Party animal

The girls had the best time introducing Nana and Poppy to Abominable (of Claire's-birthday-at-the-movies fame) and playing all the fun things.

My dad is quite possibly Brynn's favorite person. 

This was a good picture...

...but we like to put bows on our bald babies.

Although, sometimes the bald babies pull off their head adornments.

And sometimes, it's just a struggle. See: band over ear. Amiee looks great, though.

I made a smart move this year and had everyone get dressed in their Easter clothes on SATURDAY so that we could get pictures before all the busy-ness of Sunday. We will be doing this henceforth, as it was such a smooth and low-stress process for all involved.

My couch was not equal to this level of cute-ness.

My aunt gave the girls these beautiful matching dresses that were absolutely perfect for Easter. Everyone was feeling it.

I think Mom was laughing at one of the other minions when this was snapped. But I can't find one where she's smiling normally. Sorry, Mom!

After Easter morning service, we had an enormous lunch (Brad grilled lamb) and hunted Easter eggs before Nana, Poppy, and Bo needed to head out. The weather was glorious, and everyone thoroughly enjoyed the festivities:

Easter baskets handmade by our beloved Mrs. Romine (Hallie has one, too, but she wasn't hunting this year)

She participated in an advisory capacity.

And then there was an encore hunt after our visitors left (although, this was just for the thrill of hunt, as the candy had already been collected)

Our babysitter (who is actually in college and usually not in town these days), came home for Easter and texted me that she wanted to drop something off for the girls. She brought eggs from their chickens and homemade cinnamon rolls for the girls to bake and decorate. Can you believe how kind that was??

We didn't get around to the cinnamon rolls until the next day, but it served not just as food but also as an activity! Just the sweetest gift.

Decorating!

Enjoying the spoils

The end result was very...festive

A very full and very fun weekend was had by all! We were very thankful for our family, friends, and the chance to be back with our church. Alleluia, He is risen, indeed!

He is risen, indeed!

It was definitely a strange experience to celebrate Easter without joining with our church family, due to COVID concerns. It was hard to know that we couldn't join together to observe and mourn together during Holy Week, followed by not gathering together on Easter morning. No potluck lunches to celebrate with friends or Easter egg hunts where all the kids have the best time running around together. 

It was hard.

But, we did our best to do our best. We did a modified Maundy Thursday lesson with the girls, as well as a Good Friday lesson. The forecast for Easter Sunday was drizzly, so we dyed eggs and hunted eggs on Saturday, rather than Sunday.

Protective "clothing" for egg dyeing.

Hunting! I didn't have enough candy, so we put pennies inside. No complaints from the children.

Happy Easter! Please enjoy the progression of Brynn trying to take her bow out. Also, that book on the floor (The Garden, the Curtain, and the Cross) is a GREAT book. Thanks, Breanne! It's a perennial favorite of mine to pull out during Lent and Easter.

And this is where she actually dislodged her bow. Bless.

One of my favorite Easter traditions is pulling out the handmade Easter baskets that a dear friend of our family made for the girls. She MADE baskets (seriously...such an incredible skill) in the perfect colors for each girl, and they (and I) look forward to using their beautiful baskets every year.

This basket was mailed to us in Boston a few weeks after Claire was born (for her first Easter). Mrs. Romine had made the basket, and her retired-librarian mother had filled it with a stuffed Peter Rabbit and his accompanying book (which is well-loved around here). I definitely cried when I opened that box.

Watching Mrs. Beth and the Easter lesson.

Snugs with Daddy

Getting to work on one of her Easter basket treats

A few days later, I saw that these treats were on our front porch, courtesy of some sweet, sweet friends. We probably would have shared a meal with them at some point on Easter had we not all been staying at home. This was such a fun surprise that lifted our spirits and brightened our day.

A strange Easter, for sure, but we celebrated our risen savior and enjoyed time together. I'll take it!