Happy Easter!

We had a busy Easter weekend starting with a birthday party for one of Ella's friends from Kidspace and dance class.  Their Easter-themed party gave Ella an opportunity to participate in her first egg hunt. We've decided that an egg hunt for 2-year-old-ish toddlers is the most mellow egg hunt ever.  The kids basically gathered a few eggs, then got distracted, and decided to do their own thing.  There were still so many eggs left over!  It was really cute watching them, though.

Lunch before the hunt begins.

She quickly got distracted by this fountain.  She ended up washing all her eggs in it.  What can I say?  I've raised a neat-freak.

A jello break before the pinata.

Easter Sunday we hosted a brunch and egg hunt for our family and friends.  I'm bummed I didn't get to take more pictures, but it was a busy day.  Ella enjoyed the festivities but was a little uncomfortable with all the attention her visiting cousins and aunts and uncles were giving her.  I really wish we lived closer to Adam's relatives in Washington.  By the time Ella warms up to them, it's time for them to leave.  But we are glad we get to see them for special occasions like these!

The kids getting their Easter baskets before the party starts. Gavin was "thrilled."

Ella liked her eggs the most.  She discovered jelly beans the day before (thanks to her dance teacher), and now expects them in every egg she finds.

Our friends joined us in the festivities.

The spread.

Louie made a ham-pig.  Or a pig-ham.  So wrong, yet so cute.

The Easter baskets for the kids for the egg hunt.

Ella looking for jelly beans.  We should have just called it a jelly bean hunt.  Unfortunately, the eggs were empty (she was pretty disappointed) so as to avoid major sugar overload.  Adam thought that was cruel of me.

The little boys (Caiden and Gabe) enjoying their shakers and toys.

Ella kept yelling "Mad!" to her friend, Maddie, who had dropped her egg (probably also in disappointment for lack of candy inside).

A rare picture of the two of them (usually because Ella gets camera shy when asked to pose with her friend).

Ella wanted to keep running around the yard with Dad.

Yes, yes, I did put him in a pink bunny polo.

We had a lovely Easter and I truly enjoy watching Ella get more out of these events as she grows older.  The most important part is teaching her the true meaning (no, not eggs and bunnies, even though she'll say "hop!" when she hears "Happy Easter!").  We've read a lot of books about Easter and Jesus and His sacrifice for us.  While she's far from grasping the entire concept of His death and resurrection, I know that we are planting seeds and that when she sees and says Jesus, she knows He's someone important.  My favorite is when she reminds us to pray before every meal.  I love that she reminds us daily to give thanks for all the blessings God has given us.

Easter

(I got into an argument with our Internet connection, and I obviously lost, which is why this post is late in coming.  But I am finally connected now, thanks to a very helpful Time Warner Cable service tech.  And all is right with the world again.)

We had quite an eventful Easter, celebrating with friends and family (both from here and out of town).  We wanted Ella to learn early on that East is more than a bunny, eggs, and pastel colors.  So while we did the requisite "Easter-y" stuff, we also tried to show her the real meaning by reading her books about Jesus' life, singing children's hymns and giving thanks for the most amazing gift that God gave us.  Unfortunately, we didn't make Easter mass with her (the times and length of the service just made it unrealistic), but we hope that she will come to know the miracle, grace, and love that Easter represents.

That being said, we celebrated Easter sunday with a low-key brunch at Grandma Donna's house with our immediate family and Ella's godparents.  It was quite a little feast and we definitely enjoyed the sunshine and company.

Food coma strikes again...this time, strawberries were the culprits.

Her Easter egg hunting consisted of sitting on Grandma's lap and me handing eggs to her.

We realized we haven't taken a picture of just the two of us in a long time. 

Ella's first Easter basket--filled with goodies she would enjoy: puffs-filled eggs, MumMum crackers, clementines and stuffed toys.

After brunch, Adam's cousin and her family made a trip out to see us and stayed with us for the remainder of the weekend.  Ella had a wonderful time seeing her cousins, Sydney and Samantha, again.  This time around, she was able to interact with them more.

For Easter, Ella received a new dress to match her cousins.  While it's a bit big, we couldn't resist taking a picture of the three girls.

The warm weather made poolside lounging inevitable.

And for her first birthday, Ella received an American Girl baby doll.  She loved it right away and appreciated the care that her cousins took in choosing one for her.

We love that Ella got to experience such a warm Easter holiday filled with family and friends.  We definitely look forward to her learning more about the significance of why we celebrate it and all the festivities that will come with it.

The Baptism Tea

No tea is complete without little sandwiches.

Sweets for a sweet day! 

Manly men with frilly fans.

Ella's two favorite baby stealers.

With her Nino.  Ella was trying to sing herself to sleep. 

With her pen pal, Riyo, and Auntie Melissa. 

I remembered a mother-daughter shot right before we finished up.

With her Auntie Ashley.

Best. Day. Ever!

The Baptism

Waiting for the baptism to begin.

Anointing of the chest with oil.

Baptism by water.

In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Cleansed.

Cheers!

Grandpa "high-five" for baptismal success!

Anointing of the head with oil.

Blessing of the parents.

Ella felt so at peace, she fell asleep.

Proud family.

Sleeping in arms of love.

With her godfather, who really is family now.