Top 10 reasons we love our Easter tradition

It's Monday night, and we're all still recovering from our annual Easter weekend extravaganza with the cousins Strand. It is always a blast, and this year was no different. Laura had a meeting on Friday morning, so they couldn't arrive on Thursday night like they usually do. But, we were all super excited for Laura, Chris and Penny to get here when they could. As an added bonus, Aunt Amber and Tom decided to come up from Texas for Easter, too. So, we had family all around. It was great. Molly told me before everyone arrived that she was sure Saturday was going to be the best day of her life because she got to see Penny, Aunt Amber and everyone!

Amber and Tom got to town first, so all the Laffertys came to our house for dinner on Friday night. We hung out and waited for the Strands to arrive. They got here around 7, then the girls kind of stared at each other for a while until they got used to each other again. It didn't take too long, then they were running around, playing and laughing.

Being in a new house, we actually had a guest room for Laura and Chris to stay in. Previous years, we've stuck them in the basement. (Sorry guys!) But, when we were making up the guest room, which had a twin bed and trundle, we realized the only sheets we had for the bed were Dora the Explorer sheets from Charlotte. Whoops. (Sorry again, guys!)

Saturday morning, we got up early and headed to the Easter Egg 5K. This year was gorgeous weather, and the girls were all excited to run the Lil Bunny Fun Run. Unfortunately, it was 1 hour after the start of the 5K, and Penny was terrified they were going to miss it, so she worried and bugged Laura about it the entire time Cory and I were running. Amber came and ran, too. She's becoming quite the runner down in Texas.

Amber, Cory and Me. You might notice a 1st place medal around my neck ...

Hanging with the Easter Bunny while we were running.

Look at my speedy girl!

Just about one of the best pictures ever.

We headed home after the race to get ready for the now-annual Easter Egg Hunt at our house. I keep having to explain to people that I have absolutely nothing to do with this party. It is completely Cory. I don't even know who he invites or how many. The goal is for me to just have to show up. It doesn't always work quite that way, but that's the goal. Molly actually stuffed almost all the eggs this year. We joked that we had a sweatshop in the basement because she just sat down there for hours and stuffed candy in eggs. Once the hunt started, almost all the eggs were found in about 3 minutes. But, Molly said it was worth it.

While we were getting ready, the girls decided that it was warm enough for playing in the sprinkler. Apparently 70 and sunny means swimsuit weather to little girls.

We cleaned them up and got ready for everyone to arrive for the Easter Egg Hunt.

Waiting ...

Go!

Me and Laura.

Molly was the egg queen. But, she did give away the eggs that wouldn't stay in her basket.

We found eggs!

Olivia, Tessa and Charlotte. Not sure why none of them thought to move their chairs to the shade about 2 feet away.

Cute Strand picture.

Laura, Sarah, me, Ava, Sarah (with Reid). And, Tom in the back.

Amber, me and Kristin.

The party was a great success. We ate, hung out, and the kids had a blast in the bounce house.

Easter morning, the Easter bunny came to visit. We got the girls dressed in their fancy Easter dresses, then headed to church. After church, we wen to my parents for lunch and dyeing eggs. Along with our annual Easter pictures.

I look like a giant.

Annual picture. Next year, one camera at a time. We're all looking different directions.

Playing on the horsie.

Trying out a Penny pose.

Playing with Gigi.

In hindsight, the chairs didn't make the best family picture.

Dyeing Easter eggs.

The whole crew. (William and Lauren are on the phone my dad is holding).

Laura, Chris and Penny left early this morning. And, at dinner, the girls made lists of their favorite things from this weekend:

Molly:
Seeing Penny
Having Penny sleep in my room
Easter Egg Hunt
Guessing game
Playing with Penny
Watching movies with Penny
The race
Bounce house
Drawing with chalk
Special breakfasts

Charlotte:
Easter Bunny coming
Chocolate melting in the eggs outside
Sprinklers
Dyeing Easter eggs
"Favorite Thing" game
Penny playing with me
Penny coming to church
Kids' race
Crossing the finish line
Going to the park


And, Molly just spent a good 20 minutes crying right before bed because she misses Penny so much. So, I guess you could definitely say the trip was a success. We absolutely love our Strand-Lafferty Easter celebrations!