Graeber Family: April 2011

"Happy Easter Party!"

We are so happy that Easter finally rolled around! Grafton was so excited to tell everyone "Happy Easter Party!"- not sure where the "party" came in but she loves saying it!! We started the morning off with an old family tradition from my side....hunting MONEY-filled Easter Eggs! Grafton loves loves loves money (starting early huh?!) so we filled ta dozen eggs with coins and hid them around the den. When the kids woke up, Grafton searched the chairs and couch and was thrilled to hear that the eggs rattled with nickels and dimes!! It was hilarious to see her face when she first realized that the Easter bunny brought coins for her piggy bank! After the hunt we went to church for our Easter service. THEN we went to another Easter service in the Grove- with a church where a friend (Grafton's MMO teacher) of mine's husband preaches. It was such a sweet service with blankets on the ground, children coloring and whispering, a great band with fantastic music, and a beautiful message. After the Grove service, we went to DeeDee and Pops' house for Easter lunch, and Uncle Scott and Kirsten came too! My spoiled little children got MORE toys from the Easter Bunny at DeeDee and Pops' house and had a fun time hunting Easter Eggs and playing with their new toys. It was a great day....not only for the fun "commercial" aspect of the day but more importantly for celebrating our RISEN Lord who died and rose for all of us! What a Glorious Glorious Day!

Starting on our tradition of hunting eggs

coins!

The only family picture we could get....not great but it works!

Happy faces!

DeeDee and Pops with their Grandbabies!

Grafton was so excited to see her teacher, Mrs Sarah, at the Grove Service for The Orchard.

James made himself quite at home during the service!

They passed around crayons, stickers, and snacks for the children!

Such a sweet time

Our neighbor and friend Caroline came too!

Such sweet friends

The boys enjoying the Easter message

Not sure who loves this more- DeeDee or Grafton!

The Easter bunny came to DeeDee and Pops' house!!

Playing at DeeDee and Pops' house

James' 1st Easter!

A fun-filled Saturday

Saturday was one of my favorite days that we have had this year! The Easter bunny came a day early to our house, and James and Grafton got their baskets 1st thing Saturday morning. Grafton was soooo excited to see what the Easter bunny brought her because she decided to leave one of her paci's out for him and he would bring her extra toys! She had a long list of things she wanted which included a car, keys, houses, blocks, fishies, and a helicopter...just to name a few! She only got "Harold the Helicopter" (from Thomas the Train) out of that list, but she was happy with all of the other things in her basket too. James was also pretty excited with his new toys and books. After the kids looked in their baskets, we went to the square for breakfast as usual, then Grafton played at the playground nearby for awhile. Since we were up and out we decided to take the kids to the Oxford Easter Egg hunt....because Grafton needed another egg hunt right?! She only had FOUR this year! We had a great time- she hunted eggs then got to see animals from the local petting zoo. She hugged on a miniature pony, quacked at the ducks, and laughed at the hedge hog. It was a wonderful morning and some special memories were created!

James was too interested in his basket!

Harold the Helicopter!

Loving his steering wheel

Daddy reading our new book

Yay! A whole book of stickers!

A new beach towel!

Grafton was so excited to have beach towels for herself and James!

All the loot!

Fun on the playground

She wanted Daddy to slide with her every time!

Happy to hang out in the stroller and watch big sissy!

Hi there sunshine!

Grafton wanted to slide WITH Daddy

She thought it was hilarious to go down together

James had all the fun he could handle

Ready for egg hunt #4

Grafton is connected to Daddy's hip on the weekends!

My little man- hanging out like usual!

Grafton had a blast hunting more eggs!

Definitely a pro by now

What is in these daddy??

Ohhhhhh...CANDY!

Hugging the miniature pony at the petting zoo

sweet baby duckies

Good Friday was a Great Friday!

We have had such a fantastic Easter weekend beginning with a fun Good Friday. Eric had a holiday from work so we decided to take the family to Clarksdale to visit his parents. We started the day off by meeting his dad at the Clarksdale Airport and letting Grafton see and sit in his airplane. Grafton still looooves airplanes, and we still visit the Oxford airport on a weekly basis, so this was such a treat for her to actually sit inside one! Grafton pretended to "drive" the plane, she pressed a lot of buttons, and she explored the cabin. We saw a plane land and she walked all around the hanger to see the airplanes. Afterwards we met GG for lunch then headed to their house for naptime. Cousin Leyton, who is Grafton's age, came to play in the afternoon and the kids had a blast on the country club playground. Grafton was exhausted by the time we headed home that night!! James was his usual sweet, laid back self and just smiled and smiled as GG and Pop held him. I sure am thankful to have such an easy little baby boy to take around- makes my life much easier!! The day was fantastic for all of us and we look forward to our next trip to the Delta.

Happy to be in Clarksdale!