Egg Braid Bread

I love baking bread...especially the part where it is warm and you spread butter on it!  This is a recipe I have been baking for probably the last 20 years.  It is much easier to make than it seems.  You can add seeds to the top if you like.  Today I am serving it with my Meatball Minestrone Soup.

2 T. yeast
1/2 c. warm water
2 t. salt
2 T. oil
Combine all these ingredients and whisk well.  Allow to sit for 5 minutes.
Heat: 1/2 c. milk to lukewarm.
Stir in 2 T. sugar.
Mix the milk mixture into the yeast mixture.  Beat in 3 eggs.  Add
3 c. flour
Knead the dough for 5-8 minutes.  Put in a buttered bowl   Put into a warm spot and allow to rise for 30 minutes. 
After rising, punch the dough down.  Divide into 3 pieces.  Roll each piece into a rope shape.
Line the 3 ropes side by side.  Braid the ropes just like you would hair.  Place the braid onto a greased cooky sheet and allow to rise for another 30 minutes.
Beat 1 egg with 1 T. water.  Brush this mixture onto the braid.
Bake at 400 for 20 to 30 minutes.