This weekend we took an impromptu trip to Tucson to visit with Tyler's family for Easter. We were only there for a day and a half, but we had a wonderful time.
We met at a park near the Rillito River and had a picnic dinner. After eating and playing and catching up, all the cousins lined up for their turn to be helicopters and airplanes. In addition to being an amazing dad, Tyler is a pretty fun uncle!
Then the dad's took the kids on a walk while the moms hid plastic eggs around the quieter part of the park. Tyler was like the Pied Piper, only not so gruesome. The kids all followed his lead, doing spins, tricks, jumps, runs, and more, until they meandered their way back to the moms.
The little kids got a little head start to collect eggs in their bags. They were so cute, but even more adorable was the kindness I saw when the older kids joined - cousins reaching up to get an egg a younger kid spotted that was out of their reach, and giving it to them. I love it.
The kids all dug into their eggs, opening them to see what treasures lay inside. They shared and traded their chocolate, jelly beans, stickers, frogs, and more. We parents lay around on the grass, enjoying a few calm moments. As the sun set, the dads began a HUGE game of tag, running around chasing each other and the kids. So much fun!
The next day we attended church with some of our family. It was a beautiful Easter Sabbath morning. After church, the rest of the families came to Tyler's parents' house. Who better to spend Easter with than the family we hope to share eternity with? What a precious gift that is.
We met the kids' youngest cousin, the daughter of Tyler's second youngest brother. She was so doted on - so many adoring cousins and aunts and uncles and grandparents around! It's so special to me the love these kids get to be raised in.
Mademoiselle has started to really enjoy time with her younger cousins, holding, rocking, playing. She led a bunch of the cousins in several rounds of ring around the rosies.
At one point the girls had one circle going, and the boys had another.
We had the family's traditional Easter dinner of ham, holiday potatoes, salad, corn, deviled eggs, delicious rolls, and fresh pineapple. Yum. We all spent the evening outdoors, playing and visiting. We are the only of Tyler's sibling's families who doesn't live in the area, and we miss the big gatherings, and the constant presence of family. We were so happy to have the chance for a quick visit!
1 comment:
Sigh!
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