Easter Leftovers

I'm so belated in posting these Easter pictures, but at least we're still in the same month. We celebrated Easter at Cornerstone with Mom, Dad, Travis, and Cheri. According to tradition, we took lots of pictures following the service of the little kids in their Easter best. Moms were included because, otherwise, there would have been more mayhem.

Last year during this month, we girls were all having these precious babies; here's the photo of all our bellies at Christmas (2010). We attempted a shot with us mamas and youngest babes. As you can imagine, all of my pictures did not turn out with my child cooperating by calming sitting in my arms and my best smile on. But it's my blog, so I'll post the picture in which my child is behaving appropriately. (Bonnie, I had several shots where I was rearranging Collier, too.)

Travis and Cheri counted as "kids," so they obliged a picture as well.

The Morgan family so rarely gets a decent shot of all five of us especially in nice clothes, so we took advantage of the occasion.

Let's be honest: Most of our photos look like this!

Egg Hunts

Hamilton and Collier had multiple opportunities to participate in egg hunts this year. Amanda and I took the boys and baby Emory to the egg hunt on the Air Force base; then we had a picnic at the park, so the boys could play at the playground. Hamilton's jon-jon from last year with the smocked bunny still fit him, so we got another year of wear out of it. (I'm not sure it's appropriate to dress little boys in bunnies if it's not Easter time. I'm sure Mr. Morgan would wonder, Is it ever appropriate?)

There wasn't much "hunting" for these eggs, but Hamilton and Grady seemed to love it, especially once Hamilton realized there was candy inside each egg.

Here's Hamilton's picking up eggs and getting wise to the candy inside.

After the hunt, Hamilton and Grady examined their spoils and gave back the eggs. (Yes, I still had Hamilton using the Halloween basket, but I did at least pin a colored paper egg over the pumpkin.)

The big boys stood still long enough for a picture of everyone together, and Collier didn't seem to mind just watching the action from his stroller.

In Mountville we went to another egg hunt on a beautiful day where the eggs were a bit more hidden with at least pine straw and shrubs to look around. All the kids looked so cute in their Easter finery.

For some reason Hamilton latched onto this little girl's arm before the start of the hunt.

Off he went hunting for the eggs, looking like such a big boy!

Uncle Travis helped a bit.

The sandpile in the shade was Hamilton's favorite place to play after the hunt.

My boys jumped in on the picture of the Watts grandkids. Collier enjoyed watching Dolly (beside him) who was born just a few weeks ahead of him.

Hamilton loved the Fred-Flintstone car and wanted to take his brother for a ride.

Palm Sunday

I realize this post isn't timely; however, the pictures and video are too cute not to share. For Palm Sunday we enjoyed the children's singing at the beginning of the worship service. Hamilton and his friends headed over beforehand to practice in hopes that they'd be comfortable enough with the stage to actually sing once the pews were packed. The boys walked over hand-in-hand.

Hamilton did sing a bit during practice, though I was still skeptical of his participation during the worship service.

These three boys are such best buds; they elected to hold hands while leaving the sanctuary after practice.

I put Hamilton's little jacket on him for the singing during the service. He participated a little until he and West decided they'd better sit down for the last song.

Here's a video of their singing during practice; Hamilton didn't sing much more during the service.

Hamilton's outfit was Travis's when he was a little boy, so I wanted a shot of them together. Travis and Cheri were in town for the bridge run, so they joined us at Redeemer and I got my photo. Mom made the cute trousers and jacket so many years ago. Mr. Morgan said Hamilton looked like a Von Trapp child.

Hamilton found a yummy cupcake that the college students were giving away for donations. He quickly wolfed it down, and I had to write a check.

Hamilton loves "Mih Druid" who leads the kids in such sweet songs.

Underoos

While I intend to post a more in-depth look at our potty training adventure, I wanted to share a picture from earlier this week. Hamilton loves to run around the house in his "underoos" and a shirt. And he loves to play trains on the elaborate tracks I construct for him. Because Collier's so mobile now, we usually set up a big train-track design while he's sleeping. Otherwise, the scene is maddening--for all of us.

At church this morning, Hamilton's pants, socks, and shoes got wet while using the "big potty." (There should be a barrier for the sliver of space between the toilet seat and the bowl.) So hunting for eggs was great fun in his favorite outfit. (Yes, his current "basket" is left over from Halloween.)