Easter memories

This weekend was Easter- and more specifically- Ryleigh's first Easter. Something about all the pastel colors and fun crafts put me in a creative mood. So, when we got together with Jesse's family on Saturday, I made cookies and decorated them myself. I attempted to put the name of our niece and nephews on a cookie, and each child got one except Ryleigh, whose name I could not get to fit! Don't worry- she still had more than her share of cookie bites.
The Easter bunny came to visit Ryleigh, and left some fun goodies, including new hair bows, a chirping chick, a purple rubber duckie for the bath, a grow-and-hatch chicken egg, a cuddly lamb, a new Baby Einstein video (more for Mom's sanity), and a new Spring play dress.
(Pardon the naked baby in the following pictures...she had eaten breakfast and smashed fruit all over herself, and I didnt want 'dirty' an in-between outfit, before I dressed her for church.)

Ryleigh had fun checking out her Easter basket, and went straight for the Baby Einstein video. Haha, she really does love those videos!!
We did not hide the Easter eggs, because obviously she would not know what to do. She did have fun throwing them up in the air and hitting Mommy and Daddy with them. :)
A classic Easter photo...if people sent out Easter cards like they do Christmas cards, this would definitely be my picture! Gotta love the look of confusion, like "what in the world are these colorful things?"
All ready for church, but refusing to sit still for a picture. I miss the days when I could play dress up and merely prop her up and snap away. Now she will not sit still long enough to get a good picture, much less smile for the camera.

I thought her little Carter's dress was a precious Easter dress. No, it was not the traditional white, pink, and purple dress with ruffles, but it suited her. And it suited me. :)
Church was awesome, as usual. Ben Stuart was there to preach and Nathan and Cristy Nockels (formerly Watermark) led worship. Can I just say that every single time I hear Cristy sing, it gives me goosebumps? There are not many people with such crystal-clear voices.

After church we went to my parent's house for lunch and a little hang out time. Ryleigh had fun playing with more Easter goodies over at their house, and then conked out for a good nap.

Later during the day...still fascinated with the brightly colored Easter eggs!
Ready for "night-night," all clean from her bath, and snuggled into her Easter pajamas from Grandma Holder and Auntie Sus.
Can you see the cotton-tail on her bum? Haha, super cute.

We had a fun, though exhausting weekend hanging out with family and trying to make Ryleigh's first Easter a "hoppy" one.

(Haha, I cannot help but laugh at my own lame joke. Can you tell why I have not written lately? Talk about writer's block...!!)

Happy Easter everyone. I hope you had a special weekend with family and friends, celebrating the hope we all have thanks to the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.