Easter Saturday

We were having friends over on Easter Sunday and I considered staying home to clean and get ready on Saturday.  Instead, we all enjoyed a day packed full of fun. 

First, we woke up super early to participate in the Trader Joe's Easter Egg Hunt. The kids had a blast. Easton was a pro, having just had another egg hunt the weekend before. He gathered all his own eggs, and he found one of the special prize eggs. Unfortunately, his prize was a whole bag of purple peeps.  Just what a one year old needs. We graciously declined the prize - but come on! I thought Trader Joe's would have more  - I don't know, Trader Joesie kind of prizes. 

After the egg hunt, we went out for breakfast and the kids enjoyed opening and sampling their Easter candy. 

Then we got crazy and decided to spend the afternoon at Fairyland.

Gabriela slid down their new grass hill, and of course she brought our pet Hippo named Marina.

Even though she was a little scared, Marina managed to slide down the hill, with some coaching and encouragement from Gabriela.

Easton and I took a go at it standing up.  He really thought it was cool.

Gabriela's favorite - the Dragon Slide!

My little Glinda

The kids both had fun at the pirate ship. Gabriela climbs all around like a monkey while Easton jumps off of every surface he can find, thankfully, into Daddy's arms.

This Saturday, there were baby chicks, bunnies, and guinea pigs for the kids to pet.  Gabriela freaked out about the baby chickies.  The kids weren't supposed to pick up the birds, but after laying on some of her charm and professing her love for baby chicks, they let her hold one. 

I think she's in love.  Easton was pretty excited about them too.

Daddy showing off his mad catching food from the sky skillz.

Mama and the kiddos

Easton quickly learned the sign for train that day. And have you ever seen anything sweeter than these two??  (maybe I'm a little biased, but they sure melt my heart)

By the time we left Fairyland, we had already had a full day. The kids were sure to fall asleep, except it was way too late for any naps, especially since the Easter Bunny still had some preparations to make.  So, we decided to keep them going and checked out the Oakland Community Gardens that are right across from Fairyland. 

They are pretty amazing.  We visited a pond area, an impressive bonsai garden, a sensory garden with awesome herbs to smell and taste, a vegetable garden, and even a toddler garden. 

Gabriela had a turn with the camera and snapped these shots:

The weather was beautiful and we really enjoyed our long adventurous day together as a family.  The kiddos went right to sleep nice and early that night too. 

Uncle Tim and Family

The next day we headed up to Hollister to visit my baby bro Tim and his family.  

It's so sweet seeing these little loves together, especially since they are only four months apart. 

That's right, people.  Easton and Weston.  For real.

How cute is this princess?  Caetlin is so full of love, I can't stand it.  She just comes up to me and grabs my hand, or gives me a gigantic hug, saying, "I wuv you, Auntie Ewehna!"

And then she does a fancy trick.

Wes did some yard work on the cement patio.

And big girl Mina admired the flowers in their front yard.  How did she grow so quickly?!?!  And why can't I stop my babies from doing the same???

The daddies with the baby boys.  

We had such a nice afternoon with the barbeque fired up the whole time. 

All I can say is yum.

Daddy helped Easton on the big kid scooter.  And when he wasn't looking,

 Easton hopped on by himself.

After working so hard all this time to make a basket, Easton finally found a solution...

with a little help from Daddy.

Auntie Kristie brought the neighbor's dogs over for a little visit. Easton was mesmerized.  He loves dogs so much! Just look at the delight in his sweet his face.

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We stayed and visited with Tim and his family, their neighbors, and some of their friends until bedtime for the kids.  They slept soundly the whole drive back up after a weekend packed full of family fun.

Nana and Papa's Pre-Easter Fun

We went down to Los Banos to visit Nana and Papa the weekend before Easter.  We had such a nice visit.  Gabriela and Easton spent lots of time with their cousin Andrew.  And Auntie Theresa and I decided that we needed to have a little Easter egg hunt in Nana's backyard.  

Easton, Andrew, and Gabriela lined up with their baskets, ready to go.  Easton knew exactly what to do.  He found the eggs and put them in his little basket right away!

 There were a couple eggs with dollar bills in them, and Easton scored them all.  We saw Gabriela pick one of those eggs up, shake it, and put it back when it didn't make any sounds.  I guess it's no surprise that she ended up with nearly all of the jelly bean eggs. 

 When I see this picture of these two, it reminds me of their egg hunt from two years ago, and how they looked like babies.  How are these kiddos growing so quickly, and why won't they slow down, already???

 Easton had so much fun collecting eggs, he was in for a real treat when he realized that they had fun things like bunny crackers and bunny gummies inside!  Nana's yard was the perfect place to relax and enjoy those goodies.

 After the egg hunt, Uncle Matthew graciously agreed to watch Easton while we went to see Oz with my mom and Auntie Theresa. It was really fun for the kids to see a movie together in the theater.

The next day, while playing outside the kids discovered a lizard.  They had fun checking him out.

 Lane caught him and held him so the kids could have a close look at the lizard and his belly.

 This lizard really wanted attention from the kids, and he sure got it.  He was jumping on them and didn't run away.  Gabriela admired him while he rested for a little bit on her knee.

 But then things got crazy and they decided the lizard needed some outfits, so they started putting flower petals on him.

 And then it was time for a wardrobe change.

 Look at my brave girl! I am so glad she was totally interested in the lizard, curious and brave, instead of scared around him.

 She even stopped so I could take a photo of the lizard after he jumped into Gabriela's hair.  Yeah, I would have freaked out.