Easter around the country

We dyed eggs in Virginia and Jackson was so excited about it.  

This is a cute tu-tu skirt I bought for Hallie.  I love these, but I can't find cute tops for them.  Suggestions?

 Jackson had an Easter egg hunt at pre-school.  I filled all our eggs with chocolate (thinking I would 'get the good stuff' rather than the cheap stuff).  It turns out that Easter Egg hunts in AZ are HOT and the chocolate all melted.  Huge, yucky mess!

 My mom and sister came to visit before and after Easter (they spent Easter weekend in Denver with my brother's family).

We had a ward Easter egg hunt.  Each child was asked to invite a friend who didn't go to primary with them.  This was such a fun discussion with Jackson.  He asked WHY people wouldn't go to church with us.  I talked to him about how we go to church to worship Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.  It is difficult for some people to believe in them, since they can't see them.  He immediately responded, "So you mean, they don't have enough FAITH?"  I couldn't believe he's learned enough about that concept to be able to recognize it.  Our stake has asked us to pray daily for everyone in our stake boundaries to have more faith.  Jackson makes sure that EVERY prayer he asks for more faith.  

Jackson invited his friend Victor who lives down the street.  He had a great time!

Again, as we walked to church on Sunday he commented on his friend that doesn't go to church and then said, "Mom, I believe in God, so I go to church!"  I loved that little testimony from my little boy!

More egg dying.  Despite the pose, he was really happy about it.  Just embarrassed about the dye on his face.  Grandma brought fun Easter activities and stickers for my kids.  What a fun grandma!

We flew Saturday evening to Utah to be with Dave's brother's family.  Without planning it, we've spent each of our married Easter's with their family and didn't want to break tradition :).  Jackson got a new Sunday outfit and Hallie got a new dress.  I absolutely loved getting her an Easter dress.  It was something I loved as a girl and loved being able to do it for my daughter. 

I was going to label this Utah cousins, but I guess we are technically from Arizona now, right?

Surrounded by girl cousins. 

Jackson and Hallie had a rough day at church, so Easter wasn't as spiritual or uplifting as I was hoping.  I get so frustrated at how irreverent they are.  How can I help them? 

We took the evening flight home and both kids fell asleep.  We love being with family!  Luckily, my mom and sister came back to our house for the next 4 days.  It was so fun to spend time with them!  We shopped, went to parks, got pedicures, made meals, swam with Grant and Kacey.  

We also celebrated Marcie's 18th birthday!   This was after her shopping spree at Charming Charlie (awesome acessory store here).  I am seriously in shock that she is so old.  I was 13 when she was born and moved out of the house before she started kindergarten!  Now she is the age I was when she was only Jackson's age!    I really love her.  She is sweet, funny, energetic, happy, kind, thoughtful.  She comforted me through many hard times in college and made me feel loved and wanted every time I came home from school.  She prepared me for being a mother in many ways.  I love you, Marcie!