Christ Jesus Lives Today!

He lives! He lives! Christ Jesus lives today........what a glorious Easter Sunday.

 It was a beautiful Easter Sunday and we celebrated at Chad's home church.  We did not make it to Easter Sunrise service.  I was a little sad because it is one of my favorite services of the year but I just didn't think we could manage to get there at 6:30 with Payton and Owen.  I was SO happy at the morning church service to see that we were singing all of my favorite Easter hymns.  I definitely had an angel there with me....holding my tears back...and helping me celebrate the meaning of the day.

We did not have any angels helping us get picture of 3 little sweet babies!  Addie, Payton and Owen were all at church together for Easter.  They did surprisingly well for the ceremony...but, not too great with pictures!

 Addie looks cute.....

 2 out of 3 are looking....

 Owen looks CUTE!

 Addie is taking off!

 I think this would be our best one of the cousins!  Addie - 19 months; Owen 10 months, Payton 3 yr.

 Mommy's sweet boys in their Easter "suits"

 Meme's beautiful spring flowers.

 My little model.....not exactly, he could never be still enough to model anything for anyone but he does look so handsome in his seersucker suit!

 With his sweet pink bow tie (give me a break....I don't have a girl...so I have to throw the pink in when I can!)

 My two handsome men....matching suits...seriously so super cute!

 Meme and Pawpaw...just happy to have all their babies together for Easter.

 Their babies - Carson, Payton, Owen, Calyn

 My little family

 Allen and Chandra with Calyn and Carson

 Four generations - Mary Jo with one of her daughters, Cathy, two of her grandchildren, Chandra and Chad, and four of her great-grandchildren - Calyn, Carson, Payton and Owen. 

 The escape artist!  He was not stopping for the camera!

Chad and I decided to stay for the entire day on Sunday and head back early Monday morning.  I had to get back to work even though he had the day off.  It was an early Monday, but the time we had with his family on Sunday afternoon made it all worthwhile.  It was a great afternoon as you can see below.

 Later in the afternoon, we all joined back up and spent a little time playing outside.  We got Mawmaw to pose for one more picture with all of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  This is definitely one for the memory books!

All the kids had a great time playing outside.  We spent hours enjoying the beautiful day.  The only thing missing for a hand-crank ice cream maker....we were all too full for ice cream...but this was a perfect day for churning!

 Easter egg hunt!

 Owen and Uncle Allen

 Owen LOVED the Easter eggs!  I think he sat in this spot playing with them for an hour.

 We also had a nice game of softball going.  Chandra may kill me for the next picture....but, I just HAD to share!  As she stepped up to bat, a few of her family members made some sarcastic remarks in reference to her poor athletic skills.  I was so proud that she was able to prove them all wrong.  She kept her eye on the ball and took one swing....the ball flew all the way to the road....that's what I call a HOME RUN!  She proved to me that she was definitely the athlete of the family!

 Run, Chandra, Run!!

 A basket full of eggs.

Later in the day, we went to the Dalton and Lynn's for the Webb family Easter dinner.  Another family event I'm so happy we did not have to miss out on.  Family time is ALWAYS the best time!

 Owen had a LONG day but he still had time to visit with everyone.  Just like Payton, he seems to love Michael!  That is one big grin under that pacifier!

Despite the circumstances of the previous Sunday, and the reason why we were home in Sherrils Ford for nearly a week, we were truly fortunate to have spent several days with my family and Chad's family.  We are both so lucky to have such wonderful families - from our parents, to our grandparents, to all of our extended family members.  They have each had such an incredible impact on both of our lives - and I feel lucky that we were both raised with such similar family backgrounds.  Family mean the world to both of us.  Holidays and family gatherings will always be a few of our most cherished memories.  We do live four hours away but I enjoy being able to raise my kids with as many similarities to the way I was raised as I can.  The weeks surrounding Easter definitely helped with that goal!  Payton and Owen LOVE spending time with ALL of their family members...and nothing could make me feel any better than to see the love for family that we have passed on to them.   Thank you to all of our family members for being there for us during a difficult week and making me come away stronger than I expected just one week later.  We are truly blessed!