Easter '09

Hallie's 1st Easter, Gavin's 3rd (really?!?!)... it was a great day, and we got to see almost all of our relatives! We started out the morning at our house and looked for eggs and baskets that the Easter Bunny had hidden. Then we went to church at St. Jude's with my family, and over to Nana & Bumpa's for brunch and another Easter Egg hunt. After that, we picked up Grandma and went to Peter, Marisela & Gabriella's for dinner and guess what else - yup, another Easter Egg hunt! :) Good times all around - and waaaay too much candy!!

Here is the day in pictures...

I lied - this was the night before, when Auntie Abby came over to help us decorate eggs:

Peeps for breakfast - YUM. I would eat these every day of the year if I could.

She clearly agrees with my stance on Peeps. YUM.

Gavy rockin the Easter bonnet

Daddy's girl! (Note the classic 2 fingers in the mouth pose):

Momma's boy!

Tea Party at Rella's house with Grandma Marcia & Auntie Mar

Too adorable for words

Happy Birthday, Hallie Ballie!

I can't believe you're 1 year old already! You are such a little sweetheart, and you have made our lives so wonderful in the past year!

What I'm wondering, though, is - how did you go from this quiet little bundle of joy

to this bouncing, happy, frosting-covered bundle of joy so quickly?!? We had a great time celebrating your birthday on Thursday (4/16) at the MN Zoo. It was a gorgeous day outside, so we got to see all of the outdoor exhibits. My favorites were the grizzly bears, who were playing together in their little lake. So cute! You wore your adorable "I'm 1" hat and "My 1st Birthday" onesie, and you got lots of smiles from everyone at the zoo.

The following Saturday, we had our whole family over for a fun birthday party. Once again, it was wonderful weather (you really picked a great time of year to be born!), and a perfect day for a party!

You loved it when we sang "Happy Birthday" to you,
and let Gavin and all of your cousins help you blow out your candle

And then you went to town - covering yourself in frosting!! You were a beautiful mess! Needless to say, you jumped in the tub right after these pictures were taken!

This is when the sugar coma set in ;)

You got lots of great gifts, including this wonderful play house, a Baby Stella doll, lots of gorgeous clothes and fun outdoor toys! We can't wait until the weather warms up for good and we can play with all of the fun new stuff!!