Well, if nothing else, at least I will continue to post about the major holidays spent with family – these really are highlights of our time back in Canada so far.

We all gathered at my sister and her family’s home, a couple hours north-west of Toronto. What beautiful weather we were blessed with! Easter feels like a holiday that absolutely should be sunny and warm, and we were definitely not disappointed!

Like sap from a maple tree, spring brings forth the creative juices! My sister Eleanor made these cake pops. So beautiful!

I had been growing grass in eggshells on my windowsill in preparation for Easter! I meant to write about that process here in the blog, but well, yeah, you know.

Cynthia made these delicious bites called ‘Haman’s Ears’.  We did eat more than just sweets, but pictures of pork or mashed potatoes aren’t that interesting.

Can you believe it was 25 degrees that day? Ontario had lots of record-breaking temperatures that day. This is my brother Harley and his wife Nancy, along with my other sister-in-law Cynthia (closest to the camera).

You think these two are related?

You can imagine everyone wanted to hug the two baby girls. This is Rachel, who was born in December.

We sat on the deck and just soaked in that sunshine!

Two of my nephews, Bryce and Scott, and Scott’s mom, my sister El.

Mommy feeding Rachel

This is not a particularly great shot of Rachel (she didn’t like the bunny ears!) but it’s pretty funny because David’s in the background pressing up his bicep with his right hand, to make it look bigger for the picture. NICE TRY.

Although I catch glimpses of familiar features in her face, I can’t decide which side of the family they are from. Either way, genetics are pretty incredible!

Uncle Mehmet with Rachel

And the other star of the show was Lilith!

Here she is with Aunt Nancy. My sister Joan (Lilith’s mom) (are all these names getting confusing?) made the bunny ear hats for the babies.

Jayden. We sometimes call him ‘L’il G’ because he looks like my dad (Gerald) did when he was a little boy. He’s just as mischievous too!

Crayfish hunting!

Sophie likes to get right in there on the action with the boys.

Bryce kept trying to separate them. Me: Why are they attached? Him: They’re trying to kill each other. Me: Why? Him: They’re hungry! Me: Hmm…

“Hey guys, I’ve got the granddaddys!”

It seems everyone’s interested!

Such a beautiful day to be outside! Can’t wait till it’s all green…

Hey baby! Somebody noted that Mehmet was the only guy not in shorts. I think both Mehmet and I braced ourselves so seriously for the long winter, that spring has hit us without warning! I need to dig out my warm-weather clothes too!

David and Mehmet went for a canoe ride. I also can’t wait to do more of this in the summer.

This is Gypsy, Joan and Matt’s dog.

My sister Joan, and sisters-in-law Cynthia and Nancy. With baby L of course! Beautiful girls!

Cuddles with Grandma!

Jared sometimes babysits his cousin Lilith – he’s so good with younger kids!

The family’s getting bigger and bigger, and yet, we were all able to fit for dinner.

My cheesecake! I was on ‘dessert duty’ for Easter dinner, and spent hours researching cheesecake tips and tricks before I made this. It’s a Martha Stewart recipe.

And my rainbow jello! I had to restart twice, and finally got it to work. I would prefer to never discuss this again. But that’s what my sister said about her cake pops (first picture) too!

And then,  it was time for… no, not peeing in the bushes. Rather, hiding the eggs!

They were plastic eggs, half of them covered with dirt to help with the camoflage. Dad’s been doing this for decades and he’s good at finding great hiding spaces!

The clothesline itself is a source of good hiding spots. From the clothespin box to the pulley…

They even hid one in a sock!

David and my brother-in-law Matt.

Of course finding them is the huge challenge.

Scott eventually spotted the one in the tree.

The babies are growing so fast,

… and I’m glad that I’m around (in Canada I mean) to watch this round of cuties grow up!