Easter Tidings

Last weekend we had beautiful weather and were blessed with time to celebrate Easter with our loved ones!  I was lucky to have a Girls Night Out with my mom and sisters.  Look at all the pretty colors of the season!  I especially enjoyed our talks and walk together to the cemetery on Good Friday morning.  Dad isn't there, but we definitely remember him and other loved ones who have crossed over into the next life when we go there.  Dad had to be smiling down on us when we gathered around the table for this picture!

 Speaking of Dad, he would definitely be smiling down on the Engelke Easter tradition:  the annual springtime softball game!

 It was windy but warm enough to enjoy some fresh air together.

 Grandpa's love for baseball carries on!

 The cousins gathered for the Easter Egg Hunt!  Another fun family tradition...but "under 4s" get to go first!

 Joseph and  Christopher found an egg in a tree...good thing for big brothers!

 That was Saturday.  This was Easter Sunday...and also Wynne's birthday!

Up and at 'em Early Easter Morning...note the Easter Bunny left a cross of eggs on the walk...

 The kids search for eggs and baskets.  Shae looks a little tired, but it's never too early to get up on Easter morning!?

 The girls inspect the loot....jelly beans, candy we haven't had since Lent...and Reese's PB Eggs...the best!!

 Daddy helps Little Bear snag an egg from the "Martha Stewart Potting Shed" :)

 Our family poses by the flower-filled cross after a wonderful worship service.  The kids are getting bigger!

 Easter Sunday we hosted most of the family with a wonderful potluck at our house.  (Two days in a row of family gatherings...happy to host them both!)  The sad thing was that it was the first time in Mark's life that Easter dinner wasn't held at his grandparents' home in Dubuque.  Great Grandma Joan fell and had hip surgery last week.  We missed her and her cooking a lot, but we finished out our Easter celebration with a visit to see her.  She's a strong lady and we pray for a steady rehab!  In the meantime, HAPPY EASTER to all.  He has risen for us ALL!

Ally, Aunt Linda, Paige, Grandma Jan, Great Grandma Joan, Shae, Wynne, & Cy

And Jesus Christ our Lord was shown to be the Son of God when God powerfully raised him from the dead by means of the Holy Spirit. Through Christ, God has given us the privilege and authority to tell Gentiles everywhere what God has done for them, so that they will believe and obey him, bringing glory to his name.--Romans 1:4-5