Even though we were a little late to the game, we got our Easter decor up Monday.  Other than a few eggs and a banner, we kept it to the mantel this year.  Speaking of being on our game, Sloan and I are totally getting the hang of the jogging stroller.  I am thrilled because I prefer to run outside anyway.  I strap her in, put her sunglasses on, and she is good to go.  She loves going on our trail – she thinks she is the queen of Foxboro or something.  Every time we finish and roll into the garage, I take her out and she has a full-on meltdown.  She could stay out there for hours.  We got a couple runs in before the weather turned cooler towards the end of the week.Wednesday my Mom took a day off of work and spent it with Sloan and I.  We ran a handful of errands – including a trip to Target, a sugar cookie stop, and lunch.  We got home in time for Sloan to be put down for her afternoon nap. My mom read her a few books and she zonked out.  I can’t decide if reading bores her to sleep or relaxes her… Girls’ days are exhausting, I guess?

Thursday I gave Sloan what will be her annual Easter Bath.  Thank you, Pinterest, for sparking every strange idea inside innocent mothers’ brains.  Regardless, I tried it and she LOVED it.  Loved it so much, in fact, that like I said – we are going to be making it a yearly thing.  Who would have thought Dollar Store eggs would cause such squeals in the bathtub?

Friday after Zach got home from work we set off for the Hendo cabin for the first of our Easter festivities.  Most of us didn’t arrive until later Friday night.  We had dinner and then Papa took the kids out to search for the Easter Bunny.  Mark had placed stuffed bunnies along the road so he could spot them with his spotlight.  From the cabin windows you could see the vehicle through the trees – it looked like a laser show!  There were colored flashlights, laser pointers, and headlights flashing.  Mark sure knows how to make the holidays exciting.  The kids adore him and the adventures he takes them on.  I can’t wait until Sloan is old enough to catch on to the excitement.

I was nervous to bring Sloan up to the cabin with her sleeping schedule.  She gets up once in the night still, around 2:00, for her midnight feeding.  I was just praying she wouldn’t rouse all the sleeping children.  But, to my surprise and delight, Sloan slept amazing that night.  When she did wake up, she woke up smiling – I on the other hand, woke up with a terrible cold.  The next morning we got her bunny hat on and we all got ready to listen to the first session of Conference.

 After the morning session was over, Mark and Zach disappeared to prepare for the Easter production Mark had planned.

Papa came rolling in the driveway and had all the grandkids positioned in front of the big front window so they all could see that he had captured the Easter Bunny in his Ranger.  He had him tied up, even.

Then they were let downstairs so they could hunt for their eggs.  It was madness, but the best kind.  Sloan wasn’t phased at all by the Easter Bunny or by the chaos around her.  She just grabbed his fluffy white glove and kicked back.  She must have sensed her dad was nearby.  She also didn’t notice the awkward placement of the Easter Bunny’s fuzzy button… 

The kids had a blast and after all the eggs were collected we all said goodbye to the Easter Bunny.  Mark told them he had “other cabins to visit”.

After lunch we made our way home.  My cold gradually got worse as the day went on.  We listened to the last session of Conference on our drive home and Zach stayed home with us to help out with Sloan instead of attend the Preisthood Session.  He still watched it and managed to entertain Sloan for over an hour with a Gatorade bottle.  Dads are just better at playtime I have decided.  Also, when dad is in charge of playtime…Sloan is almost almost in a diaper only.  I don’t think dad’s have patience for the little tiny snaps on onesies.

I realized I wasn’t going to be feeling better by Easter Sunday, so I let my parents know that we would be staying home instead of having dinner with them.  They decided to drop off Sloan’s Easter basket Saturday night so she could have it on Sunday morning.

Easter morning we gave Sloan her Easter basket from the two of us.  Her favorite was the plush Peep – thank you Target!  She was also totally spoiled by both sets of grandparents and will have toys to occupy her for the next five years.    Zach let me take a nap after the morning session of Conference and I awoke to find Sloan being towed around in her Easter basket from my parents – a Megablocks wagon.  It is obviously meant to hold blocks, but Sloan fit perfectly and was loving the ride.

I tried to stay my distance from both Sloan and Zach.  The only direct contact I had with Sloan was when I nursed her and change her diapers, Zach was a single day for the majority of the day.  I love how much he loves Sloan.  He is so sweet with her and watching them play makes my heart explode.  He even set up what he called “the Fun Zone” in our bedroom.  It was Sloan’s activity mat with all of her stuffed animal friends around her.  She was in heaven.  the Fun Zone might have to make a comeback when Monday rolls around and dad goes back to work.    

When the afternoon session of Conference concluded, my parents and brother and sister-in-law came to drop off one more Easter basket for Sloan.  Her Uncle Blake and Aunt Brittany hooked her up with some sweet baby gear.  She made out like a bandit this holiday, I am telling you.

I loved spending time with family and watching General Conference.  It was the perfect way to spend Easter.  Zach and I were calling it the spiritual “perfect storm”.  Even though our weekend was cut short due to sickness, we still felt such a strong spirit.  I have noticed a different feeling in our home since Sloan showed up.  She has made my testimony grow in ways I didn’t think it could.  I have more of an understanding of the Plan of Salvation and a respect and love for my husband that continues to grow – even by the day.  I am so grateful for my eternal family and my Savior.  Happy Easter!