Easter Sunday.

People always tell me I take tons of photos. 

I don't deny it. 

I know, I take a lot of photos.

And here is where I have them all posted. 

But this is my blog. 

and these are my memories. 

So to delete a photo - or not include it - is like deleting a memory. 

My photos are my memories.

This post is super long aka there are tons of photos. 

Happy Easter.

[Modelling on the way home from church]

Can't pass up the opportunity to have a Poirier photo shoot all dressed up. 

"Max make sure you can see my shoes" 

"This spot isn't comfortable - you try sitting here"

"The camera's crooked" 

It's always so much fun - I don't know why we don't do it more often.

It was a colorful and bright Easter Sunday.

We changed from our church clothes and headed down south to visit the fam. 

Naturally, we were an hour off schedule so my aunt called and told us they would 

have to start the egg hunt without us. 

Bummer. 

Cassie was really upset, she didn't know last year was going to be her last. 

She was still crying by the time we arrived to find out the egg hunt had just started and 

we were both still going to be able to participate. 

Okay, Cassie wasn't crying - and she won't admit it

but she was sad when she thought we were going to miss the egg hunt.

She was right in there fighting for those eggs.

"We're done - we found all the eggs" 

"Oh really - even the one with $20?" 

Cassie: "Money?! Competition against 10 year olds?! That egg is mine."

and so the day-long search for the 'golden egg' began. 

We had a great BBQ lunch/dinner. 

Chicken. 

Beef. 

Mom's salad.

Grilled peppers.

Potato Salad

[which would usually make me want to vomit, but I'm over coming my one food phobia 

and even had seconds]

and bratwursts.

Food was tasty.

My cousins are getting so big. 

It's a sad reality, growing up. 

I guess, in a way it's fun - we can joke now and talk, 

and they finally get my sarcasm - so that's good.

It was hot, but Christian was the only one to go swimming. 

Everyone else was pretty focused on finding that egg, 

especially Cassie, who kept asking for clues.

Such a kid. 

"okay, I know it's a soccer-ball egg at medium height" 

Aleksi to Cassie: "Make sure you kiss Dylans chunky cheeks for me" 

She did. 

Again. and again. All day. 

and then pretended to be a bartender for a little bit too.

[it's her "I'm a bartender" shot]

For dessert we had: 

Rice pudding. 

Fudge. 

No peanut or anything that Dylan's allergic to cake with dulce de leche frosting.

and Raspberries. 

Yum.

We all basically gave up searching for the egg, 

concluding that it was just a hoax to keep us busy while the adults chatted. 

It definitely worked. 

So we went inside, took some photos, and when Cassie fell asleep the rest of us went outside 

for a few games of dodge-ball.

Me, Alexandra, and Sebastien against Christian, Dylan, Sophia, and Angelica. 

We lost by 3 [We won 7 games, they won 10]

We could've used Cassie. 

Oh yeah, and we jumped some too. 

When Cassie woke up - it was as if the fire to find this golden egg was rekindled. 

She narrowed the location down to the front yard

and then Bill Sr. [hid the egg] started to give out hints to everyone. 

"You're all within 20 feet"

"It has the capability of moving"

Even Lilli was in on the game - everyone wanted the money.

Long story short - Otto found the egg - Sebastien took it out of his pocket, etc. etc.

Cassie was angry - that egg was supposed to be hers.

When Bill gave the "has the capability to move" clue - everyone else thought "car" 

while Cassie ran to find Jack - thinking she was outsmarting everyone. 

This mishap cost her 20 bucks. 

Poor Jack. 

And now - for the yearly photographs of the kids. 

But this year we did something a little different:

Themes. 

This is our 'smile for mom' photo.

Our 'make 'em laugh' photo. 

[Cassie won]

Gangsta shot. 

'Get closer'

Intermission. 

And we're back with the 'smile so mom will be done' photo

It's all fun and games until Dylan gets mad, 

then it's just fun.

 And to end the session - Model shot!

It's been a great Easter. 

Lots of family, laughter, conversation and love. 

I'm a grateful for this time of year to reflect upon the Savior, his infinite atonement and resurrection.

"The resurrection gives my life meaning and direction and the opportunity to start over no matter what my circumstances." - Robert Flatt

Because of the Savior our past does not determine our future.

  He lives.