Happy Easter

"Why do you seek the living among the dead?  He is not here for He is RISEN!"  Yes, and Amen!  What a glorious day! Easter, the day we celebrate our Risen Lord.  I feel like starting this post with a video of one of my favorite songs with some pretty amazing words.  Living He loved me, dying He saved me.  Buried, he carried my sins far away. Rising he justified freely forever.  One day he's coming.  He's coming!  Oh, glorious day!  If that doesn't make your heart leap for joy, then you need to check your ticker!

Another one of my Easter favorites: My Daddy used to sing me this song when he woke me up on Sunday mornings. 

Whew!  That's a good one.  

Now, on to our Easter.  We woke up and got ready for church.  Apparently, we got to bed a little late, because one of our children was really tired.  Not this one....she's ready to go!

This one, however...

wake up sleepy head

He woke up a bit when he checked out his stash from the Easter Bunny.

After a quick look at the baskets, it was time to go to church.  We had a wonderful day of worship.  Afterwards, we had a family photo made by the cross. 

 We saw this cutie at church and learned that the girls share the same birthday!

 When we got home, I had to take some pictures of my family.  Here's Daddy (doesn't he look handsome?) with his 2 kiddos.  Aubrey slept through the whole thing!

 Daddy's little girl!

 Here's how they really feel about having a photo shoot on an empty stomach.

 Little girl woke up shortly while chillin' in her swing.

 Aaaannddd....since she was awake, I stuck her back in the basket!  Chiquita had to make sure I wasn't hurting "her" baby.  (She LOVES babies)

 So sleepy

 Nighty night.  Yep, she fell asleep IN the basket!

 Later that afternoon, we had a progressive egg hunt, if you will, with the neighbors.  Three families hid eggs in their yards and we traveled to one yard after another finding eggs. 

 Enjoying their spoils

We had a Happy Easter and I pray you all did too!

Here Comes Peter Cottontail!

Easter is almost here and I felt the need to stick the Princess in her Easter basket, with her bunny dress on and snap a few photos.  She is so adorable!  I just can't get enough of this little girl!

Happy Birthday Granddad

We spent the last weekend of Spring Break in Mississippi celebrating lots of birthdays.  We went over on Friday, which was Granddad's birthday.  We picked up a German Chocolate cake on our way and had a little party for him at his house. 

Granddad and Aubrey

 Aubrey was sporting a vintage smocked rabbit "bubble" made for my sister when she was a baby by a dear from of ours from church.  *love it*

Aubrey enjoyed Grammy telling her some "stories."

 The next day was Ladner family birthdays at Drew's Aunt's house.  This month's meal theme: BREAKFAST!  My favorite!!  Aubrey got to meet Grandma (and the rest of the Ladner clan) for the first time.  Aubrey is Great-Grandbaby #41!

In case you can't see her adorable outfit for the bib, here it is.  

 This month, February and March birthdays were combined.  We sang "Happy Birthday" to February folks first. Louie is ready for cake!

Then the March bunch had our turn.

Later that night, Drew and I took Aubrey to Tim and Amy's.  We had dinner at this new crab house in Gulfport.  (YUM)  And then Amy made dessert for us at their house.  These two have been married for a year and a half and are in no hurry to have kids of their own, but we made Aubrey rub some baby dust on Tim for good measure.

We had a great time with them as always.  Dessert was fabulous and the company was even better. 

On Sunday, even though it's not quite Easter, the Grammy bunny came to town and the kids got all their Easter goodies.  

Aubrey had a basket too

Trying on her hat

It was a great weekend visiting with friends and family.  We left MS to head back to FL in time to see our Easter pageant at church.   It was a very moving service.  The choir and all the actors did a wonderful job telling of Jesus' death, burial, and glorious resurrection.  

(What a terribly blurry picture..my bad)  Our friend, Daniel, did a wonderful job portraying Jesus. 

 Arise!

 Andrew held Aubrey for a while during the service.  Such a good big brother! 

What a busy, busy Spring Break.  It wasn't much of a "break" but we wouldn't have it any other way.  Any chance we get to spend with our families, we'll take it!

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Trace Parker's birthday coincided nicely with Andrew's spring break, so we got to spend almost a week with our new little buddy!  On Sunday, he came home from the hospital, just in time to celebrate his first St. Patrick's Day with his cousin Aubrey.  

2 cute leprechauns 

 These pictures remind me of a baby picture of my sister and our cousin Maegan, who are also exactly 2 months apart.   We have lots of "15th" birthdays in our family:

Andrew - December 15
Aubrey -January 15
Mom - February
Trace - March 15
Annah - July 15
Cousin Maegan - September 15

15 must be our "lucky" number! 

Jason, Traci, Raegan, and Aunt Sandy came up while we were home.  Our cousin Sam was baptized and we all got to be there.  I'm so glad we were able to make it.  SO proud of you, Sam!

 

 Andrew and Raegan looked so cute in their Sunday attire, that I had to take some pictures.  First Andrew gave me his "wop" face that Aunt Gracie taught him a couple of years ago.  I said smile and this is what I got:  (little ham)

 Then he took a serious one.

He and Raegan get along so well.  I just wished we lived closer so they could see each other more often.

2 Month Check-up and a new Cousin!

Hi!  My name is Aubrey and I'm two months old today.  My day started out at the pediatrician's office for that dreaded "first shots" visit. That nurse lady poked me THREE TIMES in the leg!  I was NOT happy about that, but while I was there I learned some new information.  I weigh 10 pounds and 1 ounce and I'm 21 3/4 inches long.  I've grown a lot!  A little about me these days:  I love to take a bath.  Whenever I'm fussy at night, Daddy puts me in the tub while Mommy reads books to brother.  Then Mommy comes in and scrubs me with sweet smelling soap.  I HATE to ride in the car and I'm sure to let Mommy and Daddy hear all about it while we're going places.  I scream so loud that they finally take the hint, stop the car, and get me out of that awful carseat.  In other news, I started sleeping through the night about 2 weeks ago.  The other night I slept from 10pm - 8 am!  Mommy really liked that!

Today was also a special day because my cousin Trace Parker was born!  We are exactly 2 months apart.  We got in the car after my doctor's appointment and drove for a really long time.  (Don't worry, I was nice and slept on this trip).  He was born at 2:39 pm.  He weighed 6 pounds and 4 ounces and was 21 inches long.  Isn't he a cutie!  I think he looks like my Uncle Jefforey.

 Lots of people came to see my cousin.  Here is my Paw-Paw holding his new little buddy.

 And this is Uncle Jefforey's sister-in-law, Karen.  She really likes babies.  She held me too that day!

 Traci and Trace

These are Aunt Gracie's friends from Auburn. Miss Erika and Rusty.  (I was memorized by Miss Erika.  She held me for a long time too!) 

 Trace and I are going to be best friends!

 Oh look!  Here's Mommy and Brother with me and little 3.  (that's what my brother calls Trace)

 I'm not so sure what to think about all this!

 I'm checking out the new kid in town!

 So precious

 Welcome to the world Trace Parker Morgan!  We love you so much!!