Easter Weekend

We had a very busy and memorable Easter weekend as I am sure most all of you did!  On Saturday we went to visit with J.R.'s Mom and Step Dad in Wartrace, TN.  They live near a strawberry farm and we enjoyed lunch and then a visit down to the strawberry patch to pick berries!  Sofia loved it mostly because it was time spent outside, which is her preference these days, but she also got to experience lots of "firsts".  First ride on a golf cart out to begin the picking...

Riding past the chickens and bee/honey containers (I don't know what these are properly called)...

Deciding which row of strawberries would hold the key to the most beautiful and delicious of choices...

Helping Daddy pull a berry right off the vine...

Riding on her Daddy's shoulders.  Isn't this every child's favorite place to be transported around?

Sofia with Grandma and Papaw.  She was very interested in those bright red edibles but unfortunately still isn't quiet old enough to indulge in the juicy, sweet taste of a strawberry.  Sorry baby girl...

Daddy reading her very first Easter card to her as she explores the basket with goodies inside!  Empty eggs but what 10 month old needs anything inside a good plastic egg?!  

Rayley Beth, Sofia, Maggie, and Emme Grace at Nani and Poppi's house on Easter Day.

She absolutely loves going to be with her Nani and Poppi and all her cousins!  

Our little family of three on our first Easter together.  We started the day by going to church with Holly, Brad, Rachel, Eric, Sara, MaryKay, and Jim.  Sofia loved the singing and music at church!  She was singing along and even doing a little hand raising.  This made us laugh but makes me so happy to see her enjoy praising God, even though she doesn't realize she is, but I like to think she is getting in on the action :)  It was a wonderful start to a day of remembering and celebrating the reason for Easter.

Family gatherings in anticipation of the big event...HUNTING EGGS!

Let the hunting begin!

Sofia and Cade enjoyed the hunt via wagon while Holly, Brad and myself did the actual picking of their eggs for them.  There was a lot of, "hey, let me see your egg!", and then back and forth.  Typical for their ages.  Cute!

Alex going for one of his eggs!  My Mom makes it fair by labeling each egg with a child's name and an equal number of eggs.  That sure is different from when I was little and as soon as the word "go" was said it was each child for themselves! It also makes it easy to know each kid gets 20 eggs and at the end when we count we know if there are any eggs that went unnoticed  and we need to keep on looking!

Maggie enjoying a shiny purple prize!

Sofia and her cousin, Cade.

It was such a wonderful first Easter!  Full bellies, time with family, and weather that couldn't have been ordered to more perfection.  With each celebration spent with our new little addition I am reminded how much I love this little girl.  She is a ray of sunshine in my world and lights up the room when she enters it.  My heart is full to the rim and it makes me so happy and thankful that she is surrounded by so much love even outside of her Daddy and I.  

I hope you all have a wonderful week ahead and that you got to enjoy time with family or friends as well.  Take time to be with those you love because it is so important to be loved and be happy!

Happy Monday!