Easter 2017

Only about a million years too late. But OH WELL! 

Inspired by the King Arthur Bake-along challenge, I made some chocolate bobka bread.

It took at least 6 hours from start to finish, so I had some pretty high expectations for the results. 

And it did not disappoint! Maybe it was the fact that it followed Lent and 40 days of no chocolate, or maybe it was the fact that after all that time I was DETERMINED that everyone would LOVE it OR ELSE, but for whatever reason, it was a hit and hopefully we can make it a new Easter tradition!

Easter Sunday was lovely! We saw Mom and Dad in the morning, and did an Easter egg hunt with the Grenier cousins (HOT weather, ALL CHOCOLATE MELTED, so much melted chocolate everywhere)

And then we headed up to Sky Meadows for a picnic! 

It was much cooler up there, and absolutely gorgeous. 

We couldn't resist setting up our picnic under this beautiful tree.

And, afterwards, we headed off on a hike!

Pat noticed a turtle go under the mud in this shallow ditch, and went in for a closer look. Some park rangers jumped out of their truck and came over to investigate.

They located the turtle and then dug him out with a shovel!

The turtle was not impressed at ALL at being manhandled in such a way, but he was entirely unsuccessful in his attempts to bite the shovel in half. 

And, of course, the kids were impressed! 

The rangers said the turtles walk up to the pasture to lay their eggs, it must be quite a hike for them and is much MUCH longer than I thought snappers went to lay their eggs. 

We looked for baby turtles in the pond, but didn't see any! However, people were fishing and having picnics and there was quite the festive atmosphere!

  

However, we did see another snapper that was trying to cross the road to get back to the pond. One of the rangers we saw earlier helped her across so that no cars would hit her. That turtle was LIVID and was doing all she could to bite the rangers hands. I wish I had a picture when her neck was all the way out and she was swinging around to snap at the ranger!

On the way back, Kateri took off her shoes because there was some dirt on them. Four year old logic.

All in all, it was a lovely day! Thanks be to God for all His abundant graces!