The Weather Report : FLIP FLOPS

The Weatherman said is was going to be warm, so we repainted toenails & put on the new flip flops - thanks Lana for the "high heel" flops (they are wedged). At Ellie's request - we had to paint each toe a different color. She wanted each all 1o painted different colors, but I talked her into making them "match" and be symmetrical. I see mommy - daughter pedies in our future - that should be "blog worthy." :)

"Hoppy Easter"

Happy Easter from the Carson Clan! It was a wild & busy weekend for our household, but I can't complain about the weather - which was beautiful! It was sunny, warm, and so nice outside...I really cannot remember the last Easter where the weather was perfect. Normally, we are freezing in our spring frock. I always love Easter weekend - the beginning of spring, all the egg searching and candy, and time for family and large feasts. But, I don't let the "commercialized" Easter get in the way of the true meaning - the fact the someone loved me so much to lay down his life & rise again!

This is Ellie's Easter photo (snapshot). I swear, I can never get a good Easter pic of this child. I believe she is "eating" her hair due to a gust of wind coming up. Oh, well..there is always next year to get the perfect shot!
The Easter Bunny came to visit & brought Ellie a basket full of goodies .. including a new toothbrush to help fight the cavaties from all the Easter candy - smart bunny :)

More egg hunting action w/ Jamie's side of the family. Each year, we all save the plastic eggs that our kids bring home from daycare & school egg hunts. Needless to say - we have collected 2 garbage bags full of eggs. The yard probably had like 700-800 eggs between 4 kiddos! We got so tired of "hiding" we just began chunking on the ground. By the way - this was egg hunt #4! I am all hunted out!

A portion of Ellie's finds - I think she counted like 200 - with help from Mary Beth of course on the counting. But Ellie does amaze me. I know I may be partial, but she can count to 100 by 1's, 5's, and 10's. And pretty soon, no more spelling secrets because she had begun sounding out the letters.

Ellie counting her eggs. She is in deep concentration.

Ellie & Mary Beth (her egg hunting buddy). I love the look on her face - priceless!

And this is our nephew Tripp. I love those chubby cheeks - so kissable. This was his 1st Easter!

Casting Crowns Concert

Jamie & I joined our Youth group to go to the Casting Crowns "Till the Whole World Hears" concert this past weekend in Murray, KY. It has been a busy weekend to say the least - 2 birthday parties for Ellie, Casting Crowns concet & all of the Easter festivities. We had such a wonderful time!! Our youth leader emailed Casting Crowns a few months back and told them our story of how we have used their music to touch others through our Youth Hand Ministry. We currently perform 2 Casting Crowns' songs ("Who Am I?" & "East to West"). One of the members, Juan, has been in contact with our youth leader & was touched by our story and mission work for the Tenn. Bapt. Children's Home. So much so, the band gave 10 backstage passes to our youth to go back & meet the bands before the concert! How awesome is that!! As you can imagine - our youth was EXCITED!! What a great reward for their dedication & hard work! We wish now that we would have taken Ellie - she knows their songs by heart. It is humbling to her your child sing about Jesus :) She would have loved it!

Mark Hall & Hector from Casting Crown taking a picture with some of our youth (Kaysie & Mary Beth in the black shirts)

Tenth Ave. North pausing for a photo w/ some of the youth (in black shirts).

Happy 4th Birthday Harrison!

Our nephew, Harrison, celebrated this 4th birthday! Actually, his birthday falls on Easter this year, so we celebrated a little early. His requested theme - camoflague! He is
100% All Boy & loves anything hunting, fishing, dirt, and bugs. He cracks me up because he talks really soft and sweet until a "manly" subject comes up in conversation, then he lowers his voice and goes "country-fied." Quite funny!

Say Chheessee!

This photo cracks me up!

more egg hunting action ... Egg Hunt #2

Our church had their annual Easter egg hunt yesterday evening complete with hotdogs & the trimmings - YUM! Ellie is checking out her loot of candy in the above picture. Below is our niece, Julia, Ellie, and her pal, Emily - what cuties! (I think Ellie was in mid-talking when I took the picture. Imagine that, Ellie talking?!)

Ellie {hearts} Mommy!

I had to post this photo of Ellie & myself to show that she really does love her Mommy! Some of my family (I won't call names) have teased me on a previous post on why Ellie loves her Daddy, but she couldn't come up with a list of why she loves her Mommy!