The One with a Favorite Holiday

Easter.

It's my favorite holiday.

Not because of the awesome presents.

(Presents? On Easter? Maybe Easter Baskets.)

Or the new Easter Dresses.

(I totally resonated with Kristen's Easter Dress post.)

Not because I love Reese's Peanut Butter eggs.

Or even because it's Springtime.

(This writing reminds me a lot about my sister's childhood Easter book:

The Best Thing About Easter.

It's great.)

I LOVE Easter because it is an unequaled celebration.

The never-before-and-never-again resurrection from the dead by our one and only Savior, Jesus Christ.

He wouldn't be much of a savior had he not beaten death in the face, now would he? 

But besides the fantastic church service we were a part of...

Pastor Dale's convicting message. 

The worship team's songs of celebration.

The baptisms. 

Even my How Beautiful solo.

...Kevin and I were thrilled to host our families for a wonderful afternoon of lunch and fun and fellowship. 

My parents and Gramma Mary.

His parents and Brian and Grandma and Grandpa A. 

(His folks totally surprised us by showing up early--before the church service!)

We even managed to snag a few photos.

For posterity. 

::Kevin's fam::

::three generations::

::my family minus my favorite sister::

After a wonderful cooperative dinner of:

spiral honey glazed ham.

roasted red potatoes. 

German green beans.

poppyseed fruit tossed salad. 

Hawaiian rolls. 

Ganache covered strawberries. 

and Cappuccino Fudge Cheesecake

much of the family competed in ping pong doubles. 

or naps.

or dish cleaning. 

Then, right before the grandparents were leaving, we decided to gather around the piano.

Grandma A was on the keys and accompanied Linda, Gordon, Brian, my mom, and myself. 

We sang our way through the hymnal.

Rejoicing in four part harmonies.

Fellow musicians with sight-singing abilities.

And most importantly, meaning the words we were saying. 

It was the most glorious way to round out my favorite holiday.