On Easter, we didn't have church due to General Conference, so when the Brewers mentioned an Easter service at Arlington National Cemetery, we all thought it might be nice to attend. We even followed through and attended (as well as our other friends the Martins) even after we learned that it was actually a sunrise service the cemetery holds every year. Yes, meaning we woke our kids up at 4:45 a.m. and drove to Arlington in the dark (locals may be shocked to hear it took us just over 15 minutes to drive there! Usually a 45 min.+ trip). It was crazy to see the volume of people shuffling sleepily into the shuttle buses to the amphitheater, and then making our way to our seats still in the dark! I thought for sure ours would be the only children there; in fact, I thought for sure our whole party would be the only ones under 65! But we were not - I was surprised at the broad variety of people who came from all walks of life (though really not many children). My favorite part was the opening talk when the speaker talked about Christ's resurrection and that one day these very graves around us will be opened and every one of these people will live again. (My grandpa is one of them, buried there at Arlington.)We tried to take pictures in the dark but our camera wouldn't have any of it. We shot a few as it grew lighter.
Brooklyn, in the dark (she's awake... really!)
Still dark...
Getting lighter...
The United States Army Band and Chorus
It was a fun and relaxing way to kick off Easter morning, and it was nice to enjoy the more spiritual side of Easter. Then we came home and had brunch. We all joked about how we had no problem showing up early for a 6:15 a.m. service but somehow we can't make it to [11:00] church on time! Eh heh... I think it matters greatly that you aren't expected to look as presentable and put-together at 6 a.m.
The Brewers and the Martins, behind them, and me & the girlsWe decided to forgo the long shuttle bus lines and walk back to the entrance. (I am the idiot who thought I'd wear heels to a sunrise service. Like anyone really cares what is on my feet!) Eme even offered to carry my shoes for me!
The rest of the day we enjoyed Conference and an Easter dinner. Sorry, not really any pictures, and there was no egg-hunting or egg-dyeing done at all. (Though we do have a carton of hard-boiled eggs in the fridge, if we get points for effort!) Maybe we will make up for it this weekend! At least we did eat candy.
PS - This Easter Sunday also marked the day my parents have been married 30 years!!! Happy Anniversary, Mom & Dad!
9 sweet nothings:
You are one brave Momma to wake your kids up and head downtown so early, but it looks like it was definitely worth it. The sunrise pictures are gorgeous! Thanks for sharing!
Spencer came home from Priesthood session telling me about what you guys were doing. We both thought it sounded awesome, but getting the kids up that early- well, then I changed my mind! You're such a trooper Krista- especially being pregnant! No really though- what a cool experience! Is this something they do every year?? What a great start to Easter morning! Oh, and no egg-hunting, egg-dying, or even Easter basket finding went on at our house this year either! And I didn't feel like a bad mom one bit!
That's the true meaning of Easter IMO. Kudos to you guys for doing that--wish we had known, we totally would have come with you. Maybe next year... if Jeremy isn't on call and doesn't have food poisoning like he did this year :o)
We didn't quite make it. Maybe next time...
What a fantastic experience! Just looking a the pictures in peaceful!
Arlington is a special place for my family - my grandpa and brother are both buried there in section 59. We have been to many sunrise Easter services throughout the years and they are always very moving. Glad you guys were able to experience it :-)
thats AMAZING! How fun! What a great Idea! though getting up that early, im not sure if I could. 8am is early for me these days. See you NEXT MONTH!
That is awesome! Were your kids so good because you drugged them?? haha love Brooklyn's picture!! That sounds like such a great way to start off the Easter day!!
Thanks for the anniversary wishes, Krista. And thanks so much for "visiting" my daddy at the Sunrise Service. Gigi will really like hearing this. I read about the service in the news last week and had no idea you all had gone. How wonderful. I want to do that some year. (And not doing eggs is totally fine with me, as that's not what Easter is about.)
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