Easter 2011

At least it's still the same year!

We had a truly amazing Easter weekend. Here's how it went down:

Friday

Carson got to play with Jana and Lila in the morning while I attended a meeting at work. She was so excited when we got there, she nearly jumped out of my arms. Jana's sister Sara (who kept Carson when I first went back to work after she was born) was even there for a bit, and Carson had such a blast.

Friday night, we got to eat dinner with Brandon (a rarity in April)--went out for some delicious hibachi. Carson was very entertained, and the food was excellent.

Saturday

Gram came over in the morning to hide some eggs and bring C some Easter goodies.

Carson really enjoyed finding the eggs, and I think it's a game we can continue to play even though Easter is over. Carson had so much fun, she took a 3 1/2 hour nap that afternoon!

Sunday

Sunday was a perfect day. I had set out Carson's Easter basket the night before, and after breakfast we decided to just let her play for a bit and not call attention to it. Carson was hanging out on her mat and caught sight of her basket from across the room. Her jaw literally dropped and she RAN across the room to it, with her mouth hanging wide open. I've never seen her so overwhelmed with amazement. It was like she COULD. NOT. BELIEVE. this thing was just sitting in front of the fireplace full of fun-looking stuff.

C quickly perused the basket, checking everything out and then carefully revisited each item to give it a more thorough inspection.

After her morning nap, we headed to church for a beautiful mass, excellent music, and just such a heart-warming celebration of what Easter is about. Carson did great in the cry room and made a new friend--a little boy who she greeted with a cheerful, "Hi," about 394873 times.



After church, we headed to Meme and Papa's neighborhood clubhouse for a fantastic Easter dinner, hosted by Toby and Angie. Carson is in heaven when she is with her cousins, and it was so joyful to have Angie's family and our family celebrating together.

We played on the playground for a bit,

ate WAY too much food, and had a super-fun egg hunt that kept the kids (and all of us, really) entertained for quite awhile. Here are our three gunslingers, headed out for the chase.

We left full, exhausted, and feeling truly blessed. Our lives are so full of grace. We are surrounded by people who love us and love our daughter with full hearts and open arms. We live in Jesus's presence each day, because of what he sacrificed for us and because of what he has given us. He has showered us with His own love and the opportunity to know Him through those who love like Him each day. We look at our lives, our friends, our families--and we know we are where we should be. If we falter, there are countless others around us to help us up, to show us the way, to pick up the things we cannot. Thank you Jesus for your blessings, your sacrifice, and those who bless and sacrifice for us each day!