Easter Weekend

Caterpillar doesn't close for many holidays, but Good Friday is one of them. So last Thursday evening, we drove to St. Louis for the weekend. Spring had sprung there, only 3 hours south of us. It was BEAUTIFUL!Friday morning Ryan and I got to go to the temple, and then had lunch afterwards at Mimi's. Collin was pretty good for my parents, though certainly not himself. He seems to have inherited his mother's anxiety in new, different places. He didn't talk much at all while we were gone, and she couldn't get him to smile either. What a silly boy!

When he woke from his nap, we headed to the St. Louis Zoo. It was the perfect place to spend the warm, sunny afternoon... Unfortunately, the entire city of St. Louis agreed: it was packed! It was nice to be outside and look at all the animals. It was Ryan's first time, though Collin and I went once last Fall without him. Collin spent most of the time up on Daddy's shoulders, clinging to his koala - as if it was the only stable thing in his life.

Saturday and Sunday were spent almost exclusively watching Conference on my parents' satellite. I love how in touch with the world the prophets are. I picked up on two themes from the meetings:

1 - Despite the current times of crisis, we can have hope, faith and peace through Christ our Savior.

2 - We must teach our children in words and by example of their Savior and His all-encompassing love for them.
What wonderful reminders for all of us.

By Saturday afternoon we could hold out no longer, and busted into the bags and bags of Easter candy. I put some in little plastic eggs for Collin to shake, but he quickly discovered he could open them, dump them, and eat the stuff inside! It was so funny to watch.

We also colored Easter eggs before Ryan and my dad headed to the Priesthood session. Here are Ryan and Collin playing with his easter eggs... Princess Leia and her bug.

Between sessions on Sunday, we went to visit my grandparents' new retirement villa. They have lived for many wonderful years on a large farm in southern Missouri, but the time has come in their lives to move to a more assistive place. It is great: meals in a dining hall daily; maids to come and clean weekly; nurses throughout the day with medicines; someone to change the heating filter monthly; van services around town and to the grocery store; monthly field trips; daily arts, crafts and activities... Sign me up! We are also super excited because it is only 15 minutes from my parents' place, so every time we visit them, now we can see them too!

It was a great weekend. We love Conference weekend... and the Easter candy, temple date, and time with my parents made it even better!