Easter 2011

Easter was always a big event at our house growing up...lots of family, food, celebrations, egg hunts, easter baskets...the works! When we moved to Charlotte we always had a ton of family here for Easter and the traditions carried on. The last few years it has not worked out for family to be with us, but our family has grown and we've loved to create and carry on the traditions we have always celebrated! The most exciting part is this is the first year we were able to explain to Clare the true meaning of Easter and what Jesus did for us when He died on the cross. Yes...it will be a few years before she gets it, but I love hearing her sing her little songs that she has learned at Bible Study about Jesus being alive.

We had so much fun Easter morning watching Clare search for the eggs she had decorated. Her and LD had numerous practice hunts during the week to prepare for the big search, so she had gotten pretty good. Then of course she found her Easter basket and ate a LOT of candy at 9am. The girls looked beautiful in their matching dresses all ready for church. I am a bit frugal in the clothing department so its not often the girls have matching outfits just because I won't spend the money on them. But these dresses they will be wearing in our neice Kristyl's wedding this summer...and I LOVE them!

In the evening we went to our dear friends Kimmy and Min's. We are so blessed to have them in our life and consider them part of our family. We celebrated Christmas with them this past year as well and we truly are thankful for their friendship. They recently welcomed a second little boy, Azariah into their home 13 weeks ago, so now Azariah and Elle will be able to grow up together!

Here are some pics of our Easter adventures!

"Singing" six month old

My dear sweet Elle,

It is incredibly hard to believe you are 6 months old! I remember the time going by fast with Clare, but I truly think it got even faster with you! A part of me gets so sad because I feel like you have mastered some great tricks and hit some big milestones without the celebrations you so deserve. You are the sweetest baby I have ever seen, truly. You bring so much joy to anyone who has the honor of spending time with you. My favorite thing ever is to pick you up from the nursery at church or come home after you are with a baby sitter and listen to them gush about how happy, smiley and sweet you are! You have a joy for life that is very contagious!

One of my other favorite things is watching you interact with your sister. My prayer everyday is that you and Clare grow up to be very best friends like your Auntie V and I are. I know there will be days when you don't get along, but the two of you will always have each other to lean on. My prayer is also that you will one day you will give your heart to Jesus. Every night when we say our prayers and I sing "Jesus Loves Elle" to you I pray that the words of the song already begin to shape your heart for Him in the future.

It has been so fun watching you learn to roll both ways and learn that rolling gets you to where you want to go. You've learned that you can participate in dinner time by grabbing the spoon and making a huge mess. You've learned when you squeal really high and really loud everyone laughs and pays attention to you. You've learned how to scoot on your back using your feet, moving you backwards and causing a beautiful bald spot on the back of your head. You've masterfully learned how to sleep through the night 8 out of 10 nights. And thankfully you have also learned how to play sweetly in your crib when you wake up until someone comes to get you.

Thank you so much sweet little girl for being such a blessing to our family! I am so very excited to continue to watch you learn and grow. I am so thankful God has allowed me the privilege of being your mommy and teaching you all about His creation in this beautiful world!

Happy Half Birthday Elle Adair!

New Cousins!

Joseph Wesley Vann :)

Last week was very fun for two exciting reasons!

First: We welcomed our new nephew: Joseph Wesley Vann into the world!! My brother and his beautiful wife Patti welcomed their 4th boy into the world! We are traveling to Michigan in May and are so excited to meet him!!

Second: We met our first great nephew Tyce! LD's neice Kristyl had a sweet little boy who is two months younger than Elle, but you would never know it! He is 2 lbs heavier and is incredibly strong! They were so cute together and Clare loved having her new cousin around for a few days. LD's sister Lynette came with them for her first trip to visit us in NC and it was fun having an extra baby in the house!