Easter Snow

Every year our town holds an Easter Egg Hunt at Woodland Park. We have attended every year since 1991, when Sarah was a toddler and I was pregnant with Jacob.

Usually the weather is sunny even if a bit chilly. Sometimes, like this year, there is snow. That's Sarah in the red shirt, standing between two trees after we arrived this morning.

Dylan never liked the Easter egg hunt, even when he was small. I practically had to force him to pick up an egg just so I could take a picture of him participating.

Now that he's older he likes to volunteer. That's him in the gray sweatshirt running the bean bag toss booth for the little kids who do like to participate.

Wyndie's husband Eugene does these Easter games every year for his business, A-Alarm Lock & Key. His sons and Dylan helped run the booths.

Besides the egg hunt, the event also includes an egg decorating contest, a hike around the lake, pictures with the Easter Bunny, and a huge raffle. That's my kids' favorite part. We usually come home with at least two stuffed-toy bunnies.

No one stayed for a raffle today. After the egg hunt was over, a new storm system came in and heavier snow started to fall. The temperature was 36 degrees. Sarah, silly girl, didn't wear a jacket and her arms turned blue. My fingers started going numb with cold.

People with little children didn't last nearly as long as we did.

Before we left, though, we took a quick hike down to Woodland Lake. The snow was falling pretty heavily by then, but I love the lake. It has a nice 1.5 mile trail all the way around it. We didn't attempt the trail today, of course!

There were ducks all over the water. They didn't seem to mind the snow at all.

Here's another view of our beautiful little lake. That lone dead tree rising from the water has been the nesting place for a local eagle for many years.

Jacob wasn't with us today. He stayed home to clean house so he could hang out with friends in the afternoon and attend the stake dance tonight.

Here's a blast from the past: 30 March 1991. Sarah was 17 months old and Jacob was due in just 3 months.

Notice the little lavender bunny in her basket. Her very first raffle winnings!

The following year we had an extremely cold spring and Woodland Lake was frozen solid. I remember standing at the edge of the lake, holding 9-month-old Jacob in my arms and nearly having a heart attack as Mark walked with Sarah out to the middle of the lake. I was terrified that the ice would break and my 2-year-old darling would fall through! Fortunately, they made it back to shore safely.

Here is Sarah with her dad, meeting the Easter Bunny. She loved animals and had no fear of them, not even giant-sized ones in costumes, even as a small tot!

That same Easter Bunny still arrives on a big red fire truck each year to thrill the children and pose for pictures!

Ah, good memories! May you all be blessed with happy Easter memories of your families and friends this weekend!

Have a happy Easter!