Happy Easter! 
I am feeling very blessed today. Ben and I got to spend the entire morning and afternoon with my parents, older brother, sister-in-law, nephew, new niece, and little brother who’s in town from Denver, PLUS Ben’s entire family, who are also in town for the weekend. What more could a girl ask for?!
On top of it all, it couldn’t have been a more beautiful day. Ok, it was freezing cold when we went to church this morning, but the chill wore off while we were inside and by the time we got home, it was just right to head outside for awhile before lunch.
With mimosas in hand, natch. 
The boys swang…
while others fawned over the newest member of our family, my 2-week old niece Evie!
Aka, the sweetest little bundle of joy I ever did see.
We all took turns snuggling until the main event took place…
Lunch!
It was a packed table with all 11 of us rubbing elbows, but sweet, and nice, ya’ know?
The spread my Mom prepared was equally as amazing!
All the family’s faves were there including Smoked Amana Ham,
Party Potatoes Deluxe (my savory fave…)
and Grandma’s Holiday Salad (my sweet fave!)
Enjoyed with a cold glass of white wine…
and a side of laughter. I can’t remember a happier, more joyful Easter. 
PS who does my brother remind you of?! I was laughing for legit 20 minutes after snapping this photo!!!
Anyways, after lunch we relaxed and let the convo roll while playing pass Evie.
She was down and out for the count. Nothing was going to wake this child up!
Which I think helped calm my little brother’s nerves about holding a two week old. I say he’s a natural!
Before it was time to say goodbye, Finn had a little Easter Egg hunt in the yard.
I’m not sure who enjoyed it more – my nephew, or his Grandma & Grandpa?
Or the photographer?! Full heart!
Whatever and wherever you celebrate, happy day from us to you!
Now onto the next order of business – diving face first into my Easter basket full of sweet treats that I can eat now that Lent is over – yeehaw!
Then finishing packing. Ben and I leave for Jamaica in the morning and we are THIS EXCITED to go!! I have some awesome giveaways and posts planned for you guys while we’re gone, and I’ll also be popping in once or twice to say hello. I hope you have an amazing week!!
With that – it’s Jamaica or bust, baby! 8)
All the kids in our family are just a little too old for egg hunts, which makes me so sad! Aside from the food, it’s pretty much the best part of Easter
Your younger brother is quite handsome. That is all.
Your brother is adorable.
Have an amazing trip!
Loving the wine!!
I am IN LOVE with your niece and SO jealous of your vacay. I’ll miss you while you’re gone
Gorgeous fam- what a sweet little niece! Have a great vaca! Jamaica, mon!
Is your little brother single? Mwahaha. He’s adorable!
That’s not your usual Easter basket, is it? I remember thinking a year or two ago that we had the same one, but neither of those is the one I recall. Glad you had a great Easter!
Your family is too precious! Happy Easter Kristin!
Haha! Your brother really does look like Ridiculously Photogenic Guy!
Your little brother is insanely hot. Yeah, I went there. Also, Happy Easter!
Glad you went there first because that’s exactly where I was going! Wow, is he cute!!
I have to admit I was a little starstruck to see you at my church this morning! Have a wonderful vacation!
What a wonderful day with such a good looking family. AND the Amana ham…..oh yes, I grew up with it and now it is SOOO expensive to have it mailed to Florida. Let’s just say I looked at the picture of the ham a long, long time. Happy Easter. Susan
I’m just gonna put it out there…you’re little brother is a HOTTIE!
Ugh, *your. Too much wine at Easter dinner…
beautiful family! have a safe trip and wonderful vacay!
The picture of your nephew at the table in his hi-chair is magazine-worthy! Stunning!! Have a BLAST in Jamaica! The recipe for the Party Potatoes Deluxe are in my recipe folder, they look sinfully delicious, can’t wait to make them!! Perhaps your Cuppow will make an appearance while you are gone-what a FAB welcome home gift
What a perfect day. NOthing like good food and a family gathering to bring the love into your life. Happy Easter to you! Have fun in Jamaica.
Have a great vacation………..! Your Easter sounded lovely too!
Isn’t living in DSM wonderful:) Love reading your blog daily! Have fun on your trip-we want pics of the beach!
First, even this grandma thinks your brother is Cute!
Second, where can I find the ham?
It looks wonderful !!
Looks like you had a very blessed Easter and I hope your vacation is all you’re looking forward to!
Before I forget, your niece is a doll baby! Also, one of the best parts of being a grandparent is watching the grands hunt for Easter eggs! The look on their face when they find them, is priceless!
Thanks for sharing!
Have a great vacation! Happy Easter!
Nothing better than Amana Ham unless it is Pickled Amana Ham! Oh YUM! I guess a trip to the Ronneberg is in order. Or at least a trip to HyVee to pick up a jar of it.
What a lovely day! Have an awesome time in Jamaica, you two!
Just found Amana ham online and going to give it a try! Thanks!
Jamaica!! Yay! It’s my all te favorite place to go! Have a great time!
Safe travels, Kristin!!!!!
Have a fantastic vacation!! Happy Easter.
Great post! Loved it! Have a Blast in Jamaica! Can’t wait to hear all about it!
Your family is absolutely beautiful!!! Happy, happy Easter. Enjoy every single moment in Jamaica!!!
Your family picture made me cry! Our daughter, son-in-law and 3 grandsons live in Georgia and we didn’t get to see them!
I love the crazy baby hair on Evie. So precious.
Oh, the weather looked awesome! It was chilly in Vermont this weekend. Some friends did tea parties. Hahaha!
P.S. My family makes that potato casserole too. Must be a midwestern thing! I missed it this year.
P.P.S. Have a blast on vacation!
Well, I must say I ADORE your blog. Your family is just like mine, I’m the only cousin/sister in the family and I have two (one baby). Everyone passes her around the table as well. Love your posts, blogs, recipes everything! Have a fun vacation!
It looks like you’re having a wonderful time! Happy Easter!
Oh and I totally bookmarked the party potatoes deluxe and your grandma’s holiday salad
[...] to know what we did and ate on Easter? Check out Iowa Girl Eats for the recap. I could share our pictures, but that would involve me finding the camera bag, [...]
Sounds like a great Easter! I also wanted to let you know that I awarded you the Versatile Blogger Award, which you can check out here: http://evabakes.blogspot.com/2012/04/hersheys-chocolate-mint-dessert-aka.html
So I adore how much your brothers look like your dad, and how much you look like your mom! What a darling family, and Happy Easter!
Fantastic looking Easter! Your family is amazingly Norman Rockwell-y and you should be proud of it.
).
Your brother (as many have also commented) is pretty freaking adorable as well (I’m in Westcoast Canada, so no worries, I won’t be stalking
Great smiles on all of you.
I hope you had a lovely Easter break!
No matter how old you are, it’s awesome when Mom gives you an Easter basket!!
What a beautiful family! I’m glad you enjoyed your Easter – it looks like it was the perfect day.
I’m with your brother about being afraid to hold newborns – I’m always afraid I’ll do something wrong!
Looks like you had a splendid, beautiful holiday filled with lots of love and good eats…the best kind of holiday there is!
Photogenic, gorgeous, yep, your brother is both!
Evie is adorable!
You have some great looking brothers!
And of course, you’re a doll too!
Wow Kristen, you have a GORGEOUS family ! Your brothers are quite attractive
I love your blog and I think you seem like an amazing and interesting person. Happy belated Easter !
Those are some great pics!! Your brother kinda looks like Peter Petrelli in Heros (Milo Ventimiglia):)