Sam and Misty: April 2010

Easter is one of my favorite holidays. I've heard it before and I've found it's true that holidays really do have more meaning once you have a baby. I've really enjoyed Easter this year with planning things to do with Elly. Traditions mean alot to me and I so want to pass them on to Elly. Growing up we always colored eggs on Saturday before Easter. We didn't get around to that this year. I know Elly won't remember, but it's something I want to start with her next year.

Yesterday we went out to Patch Barracks for the Easter Egg Hunt. CYS always puts this on so Sam was out there early setting up for it. Elly and I went out around 9:00. Areas of the main field were roped off for different age groups and then plastic eggs were scattered around. Elly was in the 0-2 year group. It was pretty windy and cold, but we had a nice time.

Family picture with the Easter Bunny.

Ellyanna with the Easter Bunny

Elly hanging out in the stroller trying to stay warm until the egg hunt begins

Still waiting...as you can see we were some of the first people there.

Daddy keeping Elly warm

Ready to get some eggs...

Daddy took her on the field to help her get the eggs

Putting an egg in her basket

All finished and hanging on to her egg

She managed to get two eggs!

Mama and Elly

Getting her eggs out of the basket

Eating a pretzel...egg hunting works up an appetite :)

She was so cute with her Easter basket this morning. There wasn't much in it this year since she doesn't really eat anything....least of all, candy. I bought a stuffed bunny and a couple of books. I added a bunny pen and a thing of skittles just so it looked prettier, but of course she won't be eating those. When I brought her downstairs and showed her the basket she wasn't quite sure what to think.

Ellyanns'a first Easter basket

Still half asleep and wondering what it is...

I think she likes it!

Pulling the bunny out

Good thing she's too little to realize she can't eat these. She just had fun shaking them :)

Today in church was a real milestone for us. Elly actually made it all the way through church without having to be taken out for being too loud. I was so thankful for the opportunity to hear a complete sermon. In order to keep her busy, I stocked her diaper bag with lots of toys and books. She sat on the floor and pulled things out one by one. She kept Sam pretty busy too with coming up and down, but she was much quieter today. Usually, we only make it through the song service before she starts talking loudly. It's been quite a few months since I've sat though an entire church service. It just made me breathe a sigh of relief to think there is hope that Elly will actually get past her yelling one day.

She was so pretty in her Easter dress today! She just gets cuter everyday. I know I'm biased, but I think she's such a doll baby. She has such a beautiful, vibrant personality. Everywhere we go people ask if she's always happy and basically she is. She's a sweetheart, although she has a very strong will that is causing me some concern. I'm praying for wisdom daily it seems because some days I'm just not quite sure what to make of her. I want her to be a nice, respectful child and it would be easy if they just turned into that, but I realize it takes discipline and work because most often nice kids don't just happen. I'm naturally a mild person, so it's been a bit of a challenge having such a strong willed baby. I'm realizing how spoiled I was the first 9 months, because now she's really trying me. As my Mom says - it's a good thing babies are so cute, because just when you think you're at the end of your rope they give you the sweetest smile, which makes you fall in love all over again.