Mom's Little Helper

Just a cute movie of Hudson helping me empty the dishwasher (sometimes I feel like that's all I do these days...)

Happy Easter!

Jess has been travelling to southern Alberta a lot over the past few months because his main (OK, only) client is the University of Lethbridge. Since it was spring break for the kids last week, we decided to join him on his southern trek and visit with Grammy Rose, Grandpa Ron and Uncle Paul (and Bella). We got to see Aunt Jayna and Uncle Travis too, so that was great.

While in Raymond, since it was the week before Easter, we decorated a bunch of eggs and then, as per McMullin family tradition, we drove out to the coulees just out of town, climbed up to the top of one without cows grazing on it, and threw the eggs down the hill. And tried not to get blown off the hill while doing it! It seemed extra windy that day.

When we got home (after enduring the torture of a 5 1/2 hour drive with a 15-month old who HATES being strapped into his carseat for longer than 20 minutes), we celebrated Easter with a low-key Easter egg hunt in the backyard and by listening to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and some excellent General Conference talks. The Easter Bunny doesn't visit our home (Maira was asked at playschool today if a big bunny came to her house and brought her candy and she looked at that lady like she was crazy!) For me, I just find it detracts too much from the true reason for celebrating Easter to make a big production of getting candy and toys from the Easter Bunny. But at the same time, those things are part of our culture and I don't want our kids to feel excluded so we still have some candy and games but the kids know full well that it's me and Jess giving them the candy. That's what works for us anyways.

Here's the backyard Easter egg hung (a big deal to have it outside instead of in the living room since our backyard is usually still pretty snowy at Easter).

And here are the kids in their Easter outfits that I sewed for them. For some reason, I feel compelled every Easter to sew them something new. I guess it's because my Grandma White used to sew me and my sister a new dress every Easter and mail it to us all the way from Spokane (to Ottawa) and it helped me feel connected to her then so I guess it helps me feel connected to her now too... Anyways, I didn't sew the entire outfits, just the boys' ties and the girls' skirts! And of course, Jess took the pictures.

We had a lovely Easter and I am so grateful for the reason we celebrate Easter: the Resurrection and Atonement of my Saviour.