"Quit ignoring my blog Daddy!"
The last few weeks have been chock full of celebration. First, we had Geegee's sixtieth birthday party here in Winston-Salem, followed by a trip down to Charleston for Easter. Mary Grace has been able to spend a good deal of time with her cousins, which always makes her happy. Everyone gets along very well, and the kids keep the adults entertained. I think it is fun to get everyone together because the sheer size of the group ensures a pleasantly raucous time.
Colin, Jackie, Charlotte and Henry traveled up from Athens to celebrate Geegee's sixtieth the week before Easter. We ate well, watched a lot of basketball and had a really good time catching up with each other. Charlotte is so good to Mary Grace, and in turn, Mary Grace tries to copy everything about Charlotte. Henry wants nothing to do with any of these girls, but they pull him along anyway. Watching Henry and Mary Grace interact is so funny because they are almost exactly the same age, yet so different. I've said it before and I'll say it again... It really is very interesting to see the many differences between boys and girls, even at such a young age.
Posing with Geegee for a birthday picture.
Henry enjoying the sun with Uncle Nick.
Charlotte and Mary Grace.
Family picture.
After Colin, Jackie and the kids drove home to Georgia, we packed up the car and drove down to Charleston to spend Easter weekend with the other side of the family. Lanie, James, Owen and Maggie had been down there for a week already, and Richard flew into town the same day that we arrived. We had a little rain towards the beginning of the weekend, but enjoyed warm, clear days for the most part.
Mary Grace was very excited for Easter this year. She had been practicing her Easter Egg hunting skills at a few parties in Winston-Salem prior to the trip, so she was primed and ready to go by the time we got down to Charleston. We attended the big Easter Egg hunt on Daniel Island, where she managed to secure a basket full of eggs all by herself. She was very selective though, and would sometimes pass over an egg that she didn't seem to fancy. James, Owen and Mary Grace all fared well at the hunt, and everyone had a good time.
Easter morning was beautiful chaos, with all of our candy-fueled kids looking adorable in their church clothes. Maggie and the boys were on their best behavior, but Mary Grace was very talkative. She has a new thing where she walks up to people and says, "Hey!" (She is very outgoing right now, and we are loving every minute of it). She was running around at church on Easter Sunday morning yelling "Hey" to anyone and everyone. She has inherited her father's love of Peeps, so she was riding high on her all-sugar breakfast that morning...
We loved being back in Charleston for the weekend, and had a hard time leaving. We never had the chance to call friends while we were down there (Sorry Lindy), but stopped downtown on our way home to walk down the streets and visit our favorite stores (52.5 ftw).
At home, practicing for the Easter Egg hunt.
Driving to Charleston.
Enjoying the ride.
Mommy and Mary Grace in Grandma's kitchen.
Running up and down the sidewalk with her jazz car.
A little help from Daddy.
Getting mad at Mommy for trying to help.
Snack time in the driveway.
"Okay, enough pictures Dad."
Stopping to smell the flowers.
Outside Stella Maris church.
Sullivan's Island.
Sand in her toes.
Watching the waves with Grandma.
Contemplating a swim.
"Can we go in the water?"
Playing with Maggie.
Snack time on the kitchen floor.
Running the bridge with Mommy.
Trying not to get blown away.
Heading to the Easter Egg hunt.
Scoping out a lone egg.
Getting ready for the start.
Loading up on eggs.
Owen and his basket.
A mid-hunt picture.
James and his basket.
Uncle Richard helps Owen find an egg.
Mary Grace searching for some more eggs.
Picture with Daddy.
A quick picture with the scary Easter Bunny.
Grandma and Mary Grace discuss the approaching Easter Bunny.
Owen eats some of his candy.
James halfway through a pack of Smarties.
Dancing to the music.
Caught in the act.
Now that we are home, the sugar is kicking in big time.
Mary Grace and her bunny ears.
Maggie on Easter morning.
Finding their Easter baskets.
Mary Grace is amazed.
Trying to open the Peeps.
Playing with her new lamb toy from the Easter Bunny.
Maggie is enjoying all of the excitement.
Mary Grace all dressed up for Easter.
Climbing the stairs.
Modeling her Easter bonnet.
Heading to church.
Playing in the yard after church.
Little Maggie and her Easter bonnet.
Early morning pajama shot.
Saying goodbye to Maris.
One last piece of candy before the long car ride home.
