Easter with Our Bunnies

Our Easter tradition in Rosemary Beach started 3 years ago really by chance. We've celebrated our anniversary in Rosemary every year since our wedding here in 2004 and our anniversary sometimes happens to fall over Easter weekend. Well, it did the first year we had Tyler, so we decided to join in on the Easter festivities and have been doing it ever since -- even if our anniversary does not work with the dates for the Easter trip, like this year.

I really can't imagine a more perfect Easter experience, except if all of our family could have been here. This year was the first year we had Scott's mom and our niece to join us for the holiday, though, so it was extra special. Scott's mom had made the cutest baskets for the boys and they tore into them on her patio first thing that Sunday morning. We then took a short stroll to the green where we'd gotten married, and attended a church service on that lawn right next to the ocean. Of course, church was interesting with the 2 boys, but overall they did great. Tyler sat in Pumpkin's lap and Austin enjoyed lots of snacks and a bottle.

Next on the morning's agenda was the big Egg "hunt" which is more like a crazy free-for-all, but worth every crazy second. We then fit in brunch, a quick visit to the Easter Bunny, who Tyler was crazy about this year -- and finally walked back home for us all to take a LONG nap. The evening included a cookout and a lazy evening of chitchat. I don't think it could have been more perfect, except if my mom could have been here -- and all of our family of course! We'll get them down here next year. ;-)

The service

The hunt!

Cole-E

For the first four nights of our trip, we enjoyed the treat of having Scott's mom (Pumpkin) and our niece, Nicole (Cole-e) right next store to our house. It was so much fun for the boys and we got to spend some quality time with our niece (their cousin) who is 18 and so grown up now -- but with so much ahead of her. She's beautiful inside and out and let me get a couple of shots of her.

Hello, Ocean!

Tyler says hello and goodbye to all bodies of water. ;-) We arrived at the beach last week and that night Scott and I really had to drag our tired selves away from the house to get something to eat. We'd just gotten there after all... On the way back, we walked by the green, which Tyler instantly knew lead to the beach and next thing we know at his insistence we're wading in water and playing -- thank God that the young keep us young!

We had some wild company we realized the other night -- cute little fox friends -- very chill though

Almost a family shot -- Austin took this pic :) j/k

Beach and lollipop -- doesn't get any better than that for my little man!

Lorrie is living nearby for the time being and coming over for some fun times! Just being silly here -- glad this pic is dark and blurry ;-)

Pool Time

Austin absolutely loves it. Tyler does too, but is strangely cautious compared to his fearlessness of the ocean. He likes to pretend he's swimming back and forth across the steps. So for the first time, I could let Tyler play in a life jacket and sit outside the pool just watching him -- so relaxing and fun!

The Lollipop Gang

Such a fun and special visit on Monday with Mandy/kids, Crissy's family in town, Mom Stokley who I hadn't seen in almost 8 years, and Amanda (pregnant with twins!) who I hadn't seen in more years than I want to count. ;-) The kids had a blast and loved their lollipops of course!

Best We Can

Things somehow feel imperfect and chaotic this week. Perhaps because we went to the Dogwood Festival this past Sunday, which was fun and hectic and super-packed. Tyler jammed to his first live band and Austin skipped his afternoon nap entirely and soaked up everything in a bit of a stupor.

It was a fun experience, but a bit of an exhausting way to kick off a busy week. The boys are in wonderful moods, though -- laughing and playing so hard that it amazes me. I'm not getting everything done that I need to, but doing the best I can -- aren't we all!

Some pics from this past weekend:

The energizer bunny takes a break!

Later while we were out -- looking pretty sleepy, but refusing to sleep, of course!

Tyler and his intricate thumb-sucking -- taking in the live jazz band

Best view at the festival!

On the Trail Again

Some more photos -- it was so fun to see little Austin actually walk with us this time (for some of it).