Happy Easter!

Above, Buggy enjoys some Easter candy on Good Friday. Isn't her dress adorable? Of course she has to bruise her face just days before an important picture day.

 Dad loves the little details like the ruffles and the rear draw.

On Easter day the New Family visited with Mom's brother and sister-in-law. Grandma provided EJ's vest, shirt, tie, and pants.

Uncle Dave bought lilies for Aunt Heather.

After brunch, they had their first Easter egg hunt. The Twins loved it!

Once the brunch and Easter egg hunt was complete they took a walk to a nearby park. Above, cousin Amelia pushes EJ on a swing.

 She is great with the twins. She really engages the Twins.

 Buggy was content to ride on cousin Hannah's lap.

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Good Morning!

A beautiful sunrise greets Dad during his morning cup of coffee.

The day was bookended with an equally beautiful sunset.

Time for a Walk

A warm day interrupted the lingering chill so the New Family got out for a walk in the forest preserve.

Be sure to check out the sounds of the forest below.

Adorable Boy

EJ wanted to spend some time in Dad's lap. Dad was busy and unwilling to pick him up at that moment, but EJ was undeterred. He turned on his charm and nestled his little face in the crook of Dad's feet.

EJ was rewarded for his efforts with a seat on Dad's lap.

A Moment of Peace

WHILE the Twins played in their room, Dad noticed that they had become quiet, an indication that it was time to investigate. This is what he found.

The peace did not last. But it was a pleasant half minute.

What is So Good about Good Friday?

"Why do we call Good Friday “good,” when it is such a dark and bleak event commemorating a day of suffering and death for Jesus?"

"For Christians, Good Friday is a crucial day of the year because it celebrates what we believe to be the most momentous weekend in the history of the world. Ever since Jesus died and was raised, Christians have proclaimed the cross and resurrection of Jesus to be the decisive turning point for all creation. Paul considered it to be 'of first importance' that Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and was raised to life on the third day, all in accordance with what God had promised all along in the Scriptures (1 Corinthians 15:3)."

...

"...Good Friday is 'good' because as terrible as that day was, it had to happen for us to receive the joy of Easter. The wrath of God against sin had to be poured out on Jesus, the perfect sacrificial substitute, in order for forgiveness and salvation to be poured out to the nations. Without that awful day of suffering, sorrow, and shed blood at the cross, God could not be both 'just and the justifier' of those who trust in Jesus (Romans 3:26). Paradoxically, the day that seemed to be the greatest triumph of evil was actually the deathblow in God’s gloriously good plan to redeem the world from bondage."

http://www.christianity.com/god/jesus-christ/what-s-so-good-about-good-friday.html

Rocketship Park

ON a not too unpleasant day recently, Mom and Dad took the Twins to the park. It has been a long cold winter and cabin fever forced them out, under dressed, so the activity fun was short lived.

 It was windy. That limited the time they stayed outside. Mom and Dad left the house without coats thinking it was warmer than it actually was.