Easter weekend with the Michaelis'

I guess I am pretty consistent with posting about a holiday once the next holiday comes around. In this case, in honor of Memorial Day, why not do a post about Easter?

Derek's parents last minute came in town to do Easter with us in Houston. Since ole Ike did a lot of damage to the beach house, all the Morby clan decided to stay at their homes this year. It was weird not doing everything in Galveston, but it was fun to start some traditions of our own. Justin was in the process of getting over an ear infection, so he was a trooper on all the fun even though he wasn't feeling his best. In fact, we had to miss Henry's birthday party that weekend because his fever had not quite broken for 24 hours by party time.

Mary Beth came in town first and decided to fix "Puppy". Puppy, the original name Justin gave his huge stuffed puppy dog, has lost his stuffing a few months ago thanks to a bored little boy. So Mary Beth got out her sewing kit and made puppy a new dog again. Thanks Grandma!

Then we decided to make resurrection cookies.

It enabled Justin to be an active part in the preparation as well as learn a little about the true meaning of Easter. Here he is beating the pecans, just as the soldiers beat Jesus.

Next we added vinegar, letting Justin smell what the soldiers offered Jesus to drink on the cross.

Then we added egg whites. Eggs represent life, just as Jesus represents life for us. We then added salt (for Jesus' salty tears) and sugar (the sweet part of the story that Jesus loves us) and beat the mixture to a white color - the color of purity.

We then put the cookies on a cookie sheet and put them in the oven. We put a piece of tape to "seal the tomb".

When the cookies come out the next morning they represent the rocky, empty tomb that Jesus arose form. They were hollow, just like the tomb was empty. Justin was pretty unenthused at this point, but at least he heard the message. It was a lot of fun to do this - I highly recommend it next year.

Here we are waiting for the cookies.

We also dyed eggs. This was right before nap, so someone went and took a nap while Derek (yes, that's correct) was all giddy finishing the eggs! He was like a little kid. I've never been a fan of dying eggs, so I happily turned the job to my main man.

I pulled a Kathy Smith and put peeps in hot water while we watched them melt away until only their eyes were floating in water. Justin really liked this one.

Poor guys don't know what's about to hit them....

Easter morning checking out the stash from his parents and his grandparents

I saw this at Walmart and had to get it. It's a bunny that walks and then poops jelly beans out. Crass, I know, but my little boy loved it.

The egg hunt was not quite as special since we had been practicing everyday for 6 weeks. But he still got a lot of goodies. It was more for me than anything else.

Grandma, Justin, & Grandpa on our way to church. Like the matchy vests on the fellas.

The three of us

After a fantastic Easter service at First Baptist (I think the worship made me cry 4 times), we went to Grand Lux for brunch. Derek enjoyed the kid's meal toy immensely.

A great weekend to spend with family and a reflection of the sacrifice that Jesus Christ made for all of us.