Easter 2012 Festivities!

Easter season this year has been filled with lots of activities! I remember last year this season was busy as well because Emerson was baptized on Palm Sunday, and we of course celebrated Easter had an Easter basket for her. The big difference this year is she is walking, talking, and is so darn smart now! :) It was easier to get pictures last year as well because she was not on the move and all we had to do was get her to laugh. But it has been so much fun watching her enjoy and explore every chance she gets. The way her face lights up with the simple joys like running in the park, making us laugh (which she knows how to do quite easily), and pointing and saying everything she recognizes brings us such happiness. Every day we find ourselves laughing and even more in love with this amazing little girl.

CUMC Egg Hunt

This year we enjoyed an Easter Egg Hunt and sort of a carnival at our church where our friends Ashley, Wade, and Nora came to join us. The weather lately has been so nice and it was a sunny and warm day for the festivities. This was Emerson's first time to see the Easter Bunny and she actually was happy to see him when she walked up to him, but getting on his lap was another thing. As you can see with her facial expression she was wondering why she was up there. :) The church also had an egg hunt, which we were a tad late for but caught the end and Frank helped her reach for a few eggs. Emerson also got to ride a little train in the parking lot, which was her first train ride. :) Since it would have been a challenge for me to get in the train car Frank rode with Emerson and Ashley rode with Nora. They both had a blast.

Emerson: "What is going on here?"

Nora and Emerson patiently waiting for their train ride.

Yay! It's time for a ride!

Preston Lakes HOA Egg Hunt

Our second fun adventure this Easter was the Egg Hunt sponsored by our HOA. They always have several activities planned during the year and we don't always participate... but we were not going to miss this one! The weather was absolutely gorgeous Saturday and made for a perfect egg hunt! We joined our sweet neighbors Ron and Francis, and others to watch the neighborhood kids go wild looking for eggs. They of course let the younger kids have a head start and Frank once again helped Emerson hunt for her eggs. It's funny because Emerson would prefer to keep her basket clean of any debris, including eggs. As soon as they stopped moving to pick up a few eggs Emerson would crouch down and take them out one by one. She is pretty particular I guess! We also took the time to take a few pictures since she looked so cute in her dress and the scenery was so pleasant. After all her hard work walking and looking for eggs we let her have a sugar cookie, which she really enjoyed!

Look Emerson! There is an egg!

Our sweetie pie in front of the pond.

Family picture... and my big 36 week egg shaped belly! :)

Easter Sunday!

It was a really wonderful Easter Day this year. My family came up to join us at our church (CUMC Plano) for a great church service. As we were listening to the sermon I was reminded of how much I enjoy our pastor's sermons, but Frank and I don't make enough effort to attend church more regularly. This is something we need to work on. I was multi tasking of course... listening while keeping Emerson entertained. Our kiddo is not the screaming "get me out of here" kind when it comes to church, but rather the "I want to talk the whole time" kind. I would quickly distract her, but I know her sweet little voice traveled far in the sanctuary. I'd like to think that people were not so much annoyed by this, but maybe a little distracted. :) I had to laugh when Emerson grabbed my cell phone and held it in front of her saying "cheese" like I do since I am always taking pictures of her. She picks up on everything!! It was so funny. At the end of the service we all sang a song that means a lot to me, The Hymn of Promise:

Hymn Of Promise Hymn

In the bulb there is a flower; in the seed, an apple tree;
In cocoons, a hidden promise: butterflies will soon be free!
In the cold and snow of winter there’s a spring that waits to be,
Unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.

There’s a song in every silence, seeking word and melody;
There’s a dawn in every darkness, bringing hope to you and me.
From the past will come the future; what it holds, a mystery,
Unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.

In our end is our beginning; in our time, infinity;
In our doubt there is believing; in our life, eternity,
In our death, a resurrection; at the last, a victory,
Unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.

It always hits me emotionally because it reminds me of a time when I was going through a difficult time and I needed to be reminded that good things would come in God's timing. It's probably a little hormonal related as well since I am more easily moved it seems these days, but I found myself tearing up as we sang the song. I was very glad we were able to go to the service. Afterwards we returned to our house where we worked on getting the food ready for lunch and then had an Easter Egg Hunt for Emerson. I was glad the weather cooperated well for us to have the egg hunt. Emerson had a great time too grabbing each egg one by one to put in the basket. This time she did it on her own... she has it figured out now! We joked that next year she will be a real pro and will be leading the charge to get the eggs. :) She can help Cameron next year... it is crazy to think that we will have an almost 12 month old and an almost 3 year old kiddo!

Emerson before heading to church.

Chandler Family picture... want a photo tip on how to get a toddler to look the direction of the camera? Just set off your car alarm so she will look. :)

Emerson always gets lots of goodies. She especially loves all those books! Thank you to our wonderful families for everything. She is so loved by all!

Emerson during the egg hunt in our yard.

Emerson in action filling her basket with eggs!

As you can see it was a truly wonderful Easter season. In addition to having fun with family and friends we are thankful for the blessing of Jesus and celebrating that He is Risen. I hope everyone enjoyed their Easter celebrations.

This weekend also marks the end of the special activities we have planned this Spring, aside from welcoming our baby boy of course! :) It is time for me to really make sure we have things as ready as possible for the little guy and I need to stay off my achy swollen feet! I will post soon with an update on the baby prep and some remarks about the pregnancy. I am glad to be in the home stretch... which is an interesting choice of words actually! How much more of that can my body take? :)