As my friends living in Russia know, we have not celebrated Pascha (Easter) yet, which is why just yesterday we decorated eggs. If you are interested in why we are on a different calendar I found this
explanation which I think is pretty accurate. It has to do with when Passover occurs which depends on the cycle of the moon which is not taken into account in the Gregorian calendar. Since Christ is our Passover lamb, the orthodox use the term "Pascha" which is Greek for Passover.
Below Jacob very proudly shows off his eggs
Joachim really got into the dipping, plopping eggs into one dye after another. He ended up with blue fingers and large Robin's eggs.
Us big kids decorated eggs
Pysanky style which is a Ukrainian technique involving beeswax and multiple dips in the dye. The word Pysanky is related to the word meaning "to write" since the decoration is "written" with beeswax rather than painted. Below is my egg, I'm melting the wax to wipe it off, the whole process is a bit like batiking.
These are our eggs, mine is a bit sloppy, but I have the idea now so stay tuned for next year's eggs.
These are some eggs to envy. Each of them is loaded with symbolism and meaning.
Sunday we reconvened for an all day BBQ and egg hunts. Joachim participated in the "under 3 egg hunt" and was delighted when we hid his eggs again and again.
Joachim, baby Benjamin and chalk.
Some very smart parent brought water guns for the kids and about a dozen boys gleefully waged war on each other in the cemetery.
Joachim, Baba and Grandma in the grass. 
Joachim really got into the dipping, plopping eggs into one dye after another. He ended up with blue fingers and large Robin's eggs. 
Us big kids decorated eggs Pysanky style which is a Ukrainian technique involving beeswax and multiple dips in the dye. The word Pysanky is related to the word meaning "to write" since the decoration is "written" with beeswax rather than painted. Below is my egg, I'm melting the wax to wipe it off, the whole process is a bit like batiking.
These are our eggs, mine is a bit sloppy, but I have the idea now so stay tuned for next year's eggs.
These are some eggs to envy. Each of them is loaded with symbolism and meaning.
This is Joachim and his little lamb from great grandmommie. He only has about three stuffed animals and he loves sweetly on all of them.
Joa is a true swing-aholic. He gladly does it in all weather
Recently our fields have been windy and hazy like this.
Below, Caitlin is being immersed, it was only a split second, but I like how this picture immortalized it. Here is the video of Veronica's baptism if you've not seen one before benjamin + christi: baptisms.
I like this picture of Ben and Chris undressing Caitlin to prepare her for the submersion. Never in their wildest high school imaginations could they have conceived this moment.
Chris and Dawn, the very proud parents. We look forward to seeing them all when they visit in May.
We took our passport pictures this past weekend. There are some very unflattering ones of me and Ben, but all of Joachim's are adorable.
below: a close-up of my picture. Maybe my next picture will be more blogworthy.
