Barstad Easter

We had our first Easter in our own house this year.  We just kind of wanted to stay around here and not have to drive so our friends came over and Jeff's parents came over from their lake house.  It was such a fun day, but I definitely missed my family!
Last week, Sassy and I decided to make elastic waist skirts for the girls  and I for Easter. She loved it and was a huge help.  That girl loves crafting in any form (mostly being in charge in every form, I think) and literally painted all of our skirts.


Then, she wouldn't wear hers.
Obviously she could not be told what to do! How could I have been so naive.  I thought I had let her control her entire wardrobe- I was wrong.
And Averys had to have stripes down the side because it was too small.  So, we ended up looking like a ragged crew, but at least its the thought that counts??  I did wear mine, and when I got to church I just felt so, you know, homemade, with everyone in their cute clothes that didn't have uneven hems and strings hanging off of everywhere.  I think it had been too long since my last set of skirts.  I need to practice a little more before our next holiday.
For some Easter decor, I found these branches in the trash after we trimmed our bushes and decided to do some wreaths around our house.  I had seem them over here (hers were winter-like but for some reason they seemed kind of spring-like.)

In true kristen fashion, I kind of went overboard and put them everywhere...





I found some hydrangeas and peonies at the store along with these cool black flowers??? I don't know what they are, but I think they are so cool.  So I took 1000 pictures of them.

We smoked our first brisket and made rolls and beans and the whole thing.  It was so delicious.  I also made MADE's carrot cake and it was a hit!  (I love how she does it in a jelly roll pan and then cuts them into circles- more room for her amazing frosting!) My neighbor told me she was doing it for her family and I just loved that idea! Carrot cake on easter is so perfect.
The kids made the sign coming in for the day.

Then the kids got to finally hunt their eggs.  We made them wait all morning and through lunch and then tortured them through dessert.  Luckily they made it through.









Then it was time to sort the candy.  Serious business.



Shaun, katelyn and Lily sorting through Katelyn's loot.

Lily was so excited about the swedish fish.  Me too, Lil. Me too.


The skirt in person.  (since you cant see it on sassy...)
Happy easter from my family (and incredibly swollen face from wayyy too much salt late the night before and bad hair) to yours!