A Jam-Packed Easter

Our Easter this year was fun and jam-packed. Usually James and I like to keep things low key, a souvenir of the days when we split our holidays between his parents and mine early in our marriage before my parents moved to sunnier climes that are a little harder to visit. Hi everyone in California!

Over the years one of the things we have started doing is going to an Easter service that isn't on Sunday. This leaves more opportunity for visitors to attend on the holiday and opens our schedule for early family brunches and Easter egg hunts. We like to go to Life Center Church when we can, and holidays we make an extra special effort. It is home to us.

This year our friends Steve and Amber came to the service with us and we then hit up downtown Spokane for some good eats. 

I have a confession to make. I love the parking garage at River Park Square. Bad weather led me there on a shoot once and the great views and natural reflectors cannot be beat. Plus: protection from the elements! I have a lingering desire however to explore the Parkade. It calls to me. 

Anybody up for it? I am seeing a vintage-y styled Mad Men thing here...

My husband was kind enough to take this photo of me and Amber. I did the settings and he clicked...rather grudgingly. I am not seeing any husband-wife photography team here, folks. In case you were hoping. 

I loved the look on James' face here. It was just a candid moment and while I have no idea what he was smiling about, I think it definitely reflects my feelings after the service.

As a group before eating we wandered the mall (Steve and Amber had never been there) and while Amber and I had stopped for pictures, James and Steve had moseyed their way into Williams Sonoma, a temple of retail my husband has never entered. I had to document the moment.

Passing by a bookstore I loved seeing some random words and finding meaning in them.

The lighting was amazing but we wanted to eat more than get photos. Sometimes the stomach wins out, you know?

We ended at a favorite --  Rock City grill. I had an extremely delicious alfredo which I ate too fast to photograph. There's nothing like good worship followed by a little adventure. 

Fast forward to Sunday...

and the frenetic pace of Easter egg hunting.

The hiding places get more creative and challenging as the kids get older. James' brothers are generally in charge of egg hiding. 

The kids may get older, but the cuteness stays the same.

I love to catch all the kids smiling and laughing. It's way better than forcing them to line up. Although sometimes I do that, just to capture the misery.

 But when you don't make them cheese, then you get the good ones.

Ah look at those freckles! I die. They are gorgeous.

Easter was lovely this year and I hope you enjoyed celebrating and loving on your family and friends. Stay fabulous!