Easter then, and now.

Easter has always been pretty fun at our house. Mike has always been way over the top with hiding the eggs. Charlie usually had to hunt for 150 or more plastic eggs filled with candy and cash. Not a bad gig for one Sunday morning a year.

Then: 2001

Charlie always arranged all my stuffed rabbits for me on the loveseat

The hunt has begun!

A large rabbit and a fancy Easter basket too!

Now: 2009

For the first time, no hidden eggs.

Just candy please!

That was all Charlie asked for.

He did get a lot of candy in his baskets, and some CD's too.

Charlie played the solo from In the Mood at the last Jazz Band concert so he wanted some Big Band music.


We went to Detroit Lakes for the weekend to see Mike's Mom and Dad.

Mike's cousin Tom came with us too.

After a lovely brunch with family friends the McConville's on Saturday morning, we took an afternoon drive up to the deer camp. Charlie had never been there before.

Here are all the boys - and Kinsey - in front of the cabin.

Inside views...

Every deer cabin has one!

And an outdoor view - is it leaning or is it just me?

The boys went for a walk in the woods while Kinsey and I headed back toward the van.

We found a little friend, that I took about 50 pictures of, here are a few of the best ones.

And some lovely north woods scenery!

They're back!

On the drive home we went through the Tamarac Wildlife Refuge.

Trumpeter Swans!

And some deer that could use some of that Gunflint corn!

An Easter photo on Sunday morning before the ride home.

Happy Easter 2009!