Monday, April 13, 2009


Easter 2009

The weather was gorgeous...everyone was in a wonderful mood...the chocolate was flowing freely...church was comfortable and relaxed and perfect for the day it was. Overall, it was just a very good Easter!

Thought I'd share some of the excitement with all of you...through pictures, of course!

We sat down to decorate eggs on Saturday night and it ended up being a Sydney & Mom Activity, since the other girls decided to watch a movie instead and Gary decided to get a toothache and feel pretty miserable in bed. But, no problem...because it was a wonderfully fun time with my sweet four-year-old.

She really got a kick out of plopping the eggs in the dye...


and then (after a good long bath and shampooing, because she had that egg dye all OVER her), she worked on applying stickers...


On Easter morning, we awoke to a ton of candy (including mine and Gary's....yes, we do baskets for each other, which is one of my many favorite traditions with Gary...because, who wants to fight with their kids over their candy? And, besides, we get the good stuff for each other!)...

And then, rolling into church, saw one of my favorite sights on Easter morning. The black shawl that had been on the crosses since Maundy Thursday had been replaced with the exhilirating, redemptive white (Seeing that white blowing in the warm wind just did my heart good on this morning!)...


I snapped a picture of Sydney in front of our "Easter tree"...

And then we took our traditional family Easter shots after church in the courtyard...


(We are a very casual church and we usually come in pants. So, to catch us all in dresses, is a pretty big thing and a good reason to take a picture!)

(and, despite the appearance of that double chin which I was hoping belonged to some other large, getting-older-by-the-minute chicka, I still like this picture of me and Gary.)

After church, we headed down to my parents' house for a wonderful Easter lunch (smoked ham, mashed potatoes, fresh green beans, sweet potatoes, salad, yeast rolls, fruit, cake!!) and our traditional Easter egg hunt. With three kids under ten in the family, it means that my teenagers get to enjoy the fun too. I wouldn't have it any other way!

I love this picture of them waiting inside to be cut loose and on the hunt...

and then on the lookout for the eggs...




(McKenna spent just as much time taking pictures as looking for eggs.)



I just adore this last picture. It's just a great shot of Sydney and Delaney, and then there I am in the background smiling at them both and not even realizing my picture's being taken. (Good job, Gary!)

It was a wonderful weekend and celebration, and I pray that you all had an Easter that made you realize how truly blessed you are.

22 comments:

Monogram Queen said...

Good pics, I knew I could count on you. You always make me smile!
I love Scout's dress too! Crazy about them polka dots!

Stacy disappointed me with no basket but it's okay... *shrug*
I did him a really terrific one!

We colored eggs Friday but for some reason the dye didn't seem bright enough and well, I just hope it goes better next year but Madison enjoyed it and we had Brittany there, as well as my crazy (not in a GOOD way either) SIL's grand daughter.

Heather Landry said...

All of the photos are lovely, but the last one is my favorite! Happy Easter Cheryl!

Anonymous said...

Just WONDERFUL pictures. I love them all.

Lynilu said...

Good pictures! I like the one of you and Gary, too. Hey, Cheryl, take a little photoshop to that photo! No one will ever know! ;D

Cheryl Wray said...

Queen--That just sounds like a good excuse to eat all of the candy out of Stacy's basket. LOL I also loved Scout's dress; polk a dots make me happy!

Heather--I love that one too!

Anon--Thanks!

Lynilu--LOL I may have to do that!

Debbie said...

Just love your pics and looks like you had a wonderful day!

Marjolein said...

Great pictures, gorgeous weather, nice dresses..... you had a wonderful weekend!!!

Gretchen said...

Somehow my earlier comment didn't post. What beautiful pictures and what a charming yard for egghunting. Super cute that you and Gary do the basket thing together. Lurve the brown dress.

Auburn Kat said...

LOVE the pictures and you are right, that last picture is amazing! Good job Gary!

Happy Easter=)

hippo chick said...

Oh, I just love all these pictures. Your parents have a beautiful home and grounds. Everyoe looks so festive in their Easter finery.

I love all the eggs. Tell Scout she did a terrific job.

Hope your week is as happy as your Easter.

We are on the road.

~hippo hugs~

CrAzY Working Mom said...

You all look so beautiful! :)

I love the family portraits. It was cold and rainy here, so we didn't get any. :(

Adrienne said...

Beautiful pictures! Glad you all had a great Easter!

Gin said...

Wow. Gorgeous pictures, and that one of all of you together in just so really good. (Are you going to scrap them soon? ha ha)

Mississippi Songbird said...

Gorgeous! You are all truely blessed..

Cheryl Wray said...

Debbie--It really was a nice day!

Marjo--Thanks!!! We really did!

Gretchen--Thanks about the dress.It took me forever to find something I liked. And, yes, my parents' house is the like the perfect place to hunt eggs.It's a great tradition!

Kat--Hope your Easter was great too!

Hippo--Thanks for all the sweet compliments! I hope you guys have a safe trip home.

Cheryl Wray said...

Crazy--It's been raining off and on here for weeks, so we were just thrilled to get a sunny day.

Adrienne--It was a really good one!

Gin--I am SO scrapping soon, although it may take awhile to get around to these Easter pictures. :-)

Songbird--yes, indeed, we are blessed!

Linda said...

love all these gorgeous pics Cheryl...such a fun time and the girls (and mom and dad) are lookin good. Thanks for the share.

Unknown said...

I'm so glad that you and your family had a nice Easter!

All of the pictures are GREAT!

Cheryl Wray said...

Linda--Thanks sweetie!

Kathy--Thanks to you too! :-)

Danielle said...

Beautiful Easter pictures Cheryl :)

Maria Hammon said...

AWESOME, awesome, awesome pics Cheryl! Happy SUPER belated Easter! :D

Andy said...

love your easter pics. beautiful