Sean's Baptism

Sean is 8 years old and today we went to Sean's baptism. Congratulations Sean!  It was great to share in your special day.

Afterward we went back to their house.  Hailey loved spending the day with her cousins (and their toys).

Happy Easter!

Letter to the Easter bunny asking specifically for a white bunny.

Evan thinks Easter eggs are for jumping on, not eating. 

The smashed eggs got fed to the kitties.

Hailey got a new book, a new ballet outfit, ballet dvd, and a white bunny.

Evan got a new book, a set of trucks, and a white bunny.

Ready to go to church.

This is my favorite Easter book to read. The pictures are all watercolors. The text is short and simple.

Resurrection treat. Who doesn't love Jesus standing on a donut? You are supposed to spread green coconut around the bottom... as you can see we didn't bother.

The kids had fun looking for eggs.

We had so many treats these last few days I didn't want to overdo it on the sugar. Don't want to be a joy-killer either. We only bought two bags of candy in addition to the kids' white chocolate bunnies. I knew all the candy would be gone in two days at the most (That's a good thing). I read food labels on everything we eat and I didn't want lots of processed candy.... so we went for more natural treats.  We  picked up a container of peanut butter cups and bag of jelly beans from Trader Joes.

Steve said these were the best jelly beans he has eaten. Instead of food dye they were colored & flavored naturally with fruits and vegetables. Some of the interesting flavors/dyes come from black currants, carrots, hibiscus, pumpkins, gardenia extract, apple, and radishes, to name a few.

Petting Bunnies at Zoo Spring Fling

 Fast asleep.

Our peach tree loves us.

Picked our first peach.

Headed out to the zoo for the Easter "Spring Fling."

Got to pet some bunnies.

They gave the all the kids at the zoo little goody bags. Out of all the candy they could put in the bags they put in sour warheads..... for little kids. Evan didn't like them.

 At the craft table.

Made some bunny ears.

Had to ride the carousel.

It's hard to say who loved it more.

Evan is obsessed with turtles.... so this made him quite happy.

Because of Him

What is the greatest achievement for mankind?  Certainly there have been extraordinary advances in technology.  Great inventions have changed history.  Mankind has seen amazing leaders who have done great things.  But only one has done what no other ever could.  Jesus Christ overcame death and so, everyone who has lived and all who will yet live will be resurrected.  We will see our families and loved ones again.  And He has paid the price of our sins.  Because of Him we can be forgiven and live with God and our families forever.

Happy Easter.

Crazy Chimps

Playing dolls together.

After 3 years our grape vine finally has some grapes growing!

Picked some lavender from the garden to throw in with the bath salts.

Thanks for the Easter package Nana!

Back to the LA Zoo with the Ashcrafts.

Jeni: What do we do at the zoo, Hailey?

Hailey: Papa buys popcorn!

Evan wanted to show Grandma the giant tortoises.

Gorillas in the mist.

These chimpanzees were going ape-crazy today! The center one must be the alpha male. He was raising quite the racket and picking on one of the females who was holding her baby.

Hailey loves her Aunt Clarice.