Egg-celent Easter 2014

We had a wonderful Easter weekend - our first holiday in the new house!  Next year will be even more fun because we will be able to put out our Easter decorations and do more activities (that are still packed away) leading up to the big day.  However, we still made the most of it and had a great weekend.

Friday night after eating pizza, we dyed a few eggs.  We kept it simple because while Parker is getting bigger and older, coloring eggs will definitely get easier and more fun for him as he grows.  We just did a dozen and used three colors. 

I, along with Bob and Larry from "Veggie Tales", have been teaching Parker the song "Down in my Heart" so he's doing this cute face lately where I'll say "show me happy" and he gives me a big cheesy grin.

Parker's favorite part was dropping the eggs into the colored water.  Being 2, he didn't have much patience to wait around and see what they looked like after that.  He's always on the move!

A "U" for the Ussery family. 

Love this super special boy...

Our finished eggs!

We decided to have our big Easter meal on Saturday night so that on Sunday, we could relax and enjoy the day with all of the yummy leftovers.  All day Saturday, we worked on more unpacking, organizing, cleaning, sorting - just trying to get more settled into the house and we had a feast Saturday night.  We had brisket, pinto beans, mashed potatoes (Pioneer Woman style), deviled eggs and bread.  While we were working on the house all day, I was also working on our Easter meal.  It was mighty tasty!  I also made a coconut cake for dessert. 

Parker was greeted with a basket of "prizes" (as he called them) on Sunday morning.

After a quick breakfast, we all finished getting ready for church and took a few pictures.  With where we live and the fact that we go to the early service, we usually leave our house by 7:30 on Sunday mornings so we are up and going early to get out the door on time.  Luckily, Parker is an early riser! 

And I know you are used to this by now, but here are some picture comparisons of Parker on the last three Easters.  His first Easter was also the first day we took him to church after he was born.

We went with the pink/pastel plaid theme this year - love the spring colors.  My two handsome boys - they look sharp. I am a lucky girl.

 A sweet son and his Mommy.

 Our little family of three.

My wonderful husband and I.  I still love to have pictures of just the two of us - where it all began.  I love doing life with this guy!

On our way to church Parker snuggled his new "nunny" while looking at all of the trees and a few cows along the way. 

After church, Parker wanted to run around a little bit, so we took a few pictures.  He loves it outside and has so enjoyed his new yard and driveway.

And everyone needs an Easter picture with a bulldozer.  Parker is in love with this piece of machinery next door.

When we picked Parker up from the nursery, he had done his first piece of artwork at church.  I was so proud of it!  Of course I know he had help with it, but this is something I have been excited about as a Mom for a while - all of those color pages and crafts that I know Parker will make at church.  This was the first one so it's very special - the first of many.  Has it been hanging on our fridge all week??  You better believe it!  

All of the people we have met on our street so far have been really nice and friendly.  A sweet family down the road brought us a plate of cookies a few nights after we moved in.  They also had the Easter Bunny come visit Parker Sunday night - the Easter Bunny brought him a basket with a ball and motorcycle in it.  I wasn't sure how Parker would react to a giant, adult sized rabbit, but he LOVED it!  He waved and said "Hi Nunny" right when we opened the door.  We were a bit anxious as to how Parker would respond, but he was so excited and sad to see him go. 

It was so thoughtful of our neighbors to do that for Parker - such nice people and a kind gesture.  To thank them, Parker and I made a batch of chocolate chip cookies and we all delivered them Monday night.

It was such a nice weekend and a very Happy Easter for us!

Until we meet again...
Riley