Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Easter Sunday

I love, love, love Easter.  Love this time of year, love the season it represents, love all the pretty springy colors everywhere.  

Just like every other holiday, we had lots to do.  My parents typically come down to join us for Mass then onto brunch at Chestnut Hill.  However, they weren't able to come this year because my grandmama got sick.  So sad they couldn't be here to celebrate with us, but I know they needed to be with Grandmama instead.  

On top of that, Wally was on call during Easter weekend and couldn't attend mass with us either.  So, after all the Easter Bunny festivities early on, I prettied up the girls, put on my Sunday finest, packed up the bags and headed to mass.  By myself.  With two young, very young, girls.  What was I thinking?

The whole drive there, I kept thinking to myself "I should just turn around. I can't do this by myself.  Now would be a good time to head back home."  Then I had to remind myself that Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice so I could have the privilege of worshiping with him on Sundays and every other day.  Two little girls weren't going to intimidate me.

I'll spare you the details, but it was a disaster.  We get to Mass early because I want a good seat.  I need the pick of prime real estate when trying to wrangle two kids.  But, that also meant waiting for 30 minutes before the doors opened.  And holding Anna who like to run free.  Once the doors opened, we waited for another 30 minutes before mass actually started.  

Caroline was an angel.  I brought some crayons and a coloring book - which I would normally not do for Sunday mass, but I needed reinforcement.  And Anna wasn't bad.  She was just restless.  VERY restless.  I fought back tears as we left Mass before communion was even handed out.  I felt like a failure.  But, deep down, I know I shouldn't.  

After we got home (to which Anna fell asleep before we left the parking lot; that's the one pitfall of having an independent sleeper - they won't fall asleep in your arms when you desperately need them to!) - we rested for a few minutes and headed out to the Duck Pond in Aynor to celebrate with Wally's family.

Wally joined us out there for about 10 minutes before he had to go back out.  That made us super sad. But, while we were out there, we ate a great lunch, hid & found eggs, dyed eggs & the girls rode around on the golf cart.  Such a beautiful day!



I love the expression on Caroline's face.  So glad we got that captured on camera.  Loving her shoes, too!


Again - group shots are not our forte.

Anna was so thrilled with her new sippy cup & her new lamb.

But she was also smitten with Caroline's new bunny rabbit!  If it's soft and fluffy, Anna will take it! 

My pretty, pretty girl


This picture is so sweet.  I wish I could see their faces, though!
Anna had had enough by the end of it all.




 Me & my girls
Not a bad pic if I say so myself.

 And home for a wardrobe change before going to the Duck Pond!

Easter Egg Hunt: 2013

Who doesn't skip right from Christmas to Easter?  Ugh...maybe I'll be able to catch up on here one day.  But, while this is all fresh in my head, let's go straight into the Easter season!

Our dear friend Wendy Martin invited us to join her family at an Easter Egg Hunt at her church.  We had so much fun last year when we went, I wanted to go again this year!!!!  The girls loved it.
Anna playing with her BFF, Tinsley.  But, Anna doesn't look too thrilled when Tinsley took her two eggs! HA!  Feast or famine, little girl!  
Caroline counting her eggs with Ms. Wendy.  Poor ol' Caroline - she's not the fastest runner.  The other kids kept getting the eggs before she did!

Not bad for a group shot of 6 kids, right?
(L-R: Reed, Caroline, Tinsley, Wade, Anna, Logan)

After the egg hunt & lunch, we let the kids play on the playground some.  They had a blast!

I may be biased, but I sure do have two pretty girls.  

 This little girl loves, loves, loves to swing.  Total opposite of Caroline.  And apparently, she loves to slide, too!  Had to get a little help from Mr. Allen.

 And another special treat - decorating cupcakes!  

 Caroline & Logan
I pray that Caroline will have life long friendships with all of the Martins.  They have a very special place in our hearts!
 I had to do a comparison shot from last year.  I knew I had a picture of Caroline hugging on one of the Martin boys from last year's egg hunt.  This year, all I could get was holding hands.  I'll take it; still so very sweet!  (Reed on the left, Logan on the right)

Christmas with the Doyle's

Well, I had these pictures saved as a draft and didn't even realize it.  How does time slip away from me like this?  I have GOT to get back into blogging.  I feel like this is the only way I will be able to look back and remember what life was like at this point in time.

Here are some pictures from spending Christmas with the Doyle's.  We gathered at Kerry & Brodie's house (Aunt T & Uncle Brodie) for biscuits from Bojangle's (YUUUMMMM) and to open gifts & spend time together.  It was so nice!!

It's so hard to take a good picture of 4 small kids!!!!!


Caroline's obligatory pose for a portrait (as opposed to landscape) picture.   
In L-O-V-E with her Aurora nightgown