easter recap...

Are you ready for picture overload? I hope so.

We're back from NC and had a great time up there for Easter. We were able to spend lots of time with Grammie and Grandaddy and see Aunt Susan, Aunt Sarah, Uncle John and Baby Lilly. This was Maddie's first real Easter experience since she was just 7 months old last year. And Maddie LOVES Grammie and Grandad. She loves their house, all their cool old toys... and of course, them.

Here she is on Easter-Eve just being silly instead of getting her PJs on.

The next morning, we got up bright and early to see if the Easter Bunny had come. He had!! He left a basket for Maddie inside and lots and lots of eggs outside.

Delivered by Grandad

Woo hoo!! Candy!

Baby Lilly was happy with her yellow egg...

Peeps! Aunt Laura would be proud

After our breakfast of peeps and M&Ms (see Lor, Im not a total scrooge), we bundled up and headed outside to find those eggs the bunny hid! Maddie loved it. She ran from egg to egg screaming excitedly. I think she found all 44!

Baby Lilly had to watch from the sidelines this year... but she was observing and taking mental notes so she would know what to do next year. We told Maddie this was the last year she wouldnt have any competition for eggs and to enjoy it.

We went to church at First Baptist Apex and came back for some family pictures. Maddie isnt exactly at the "posing" age right now - so I did my best to get a dress shot. This is the best one I got. Sad.

Mommy and Maddie

Family shot

Mommy loves her even when she's grumpy

Proud grandparents

Helping Aunt Susan open her birthday gifts later that day

We were able to stay a few extra days because J had a conference in town and I could work at my firms local office. Grammie and Grandad volunteered to babysit Maddie while J and I were at work and it worked out great. Maddie was in heaven and I was able to get some work done. Works been CRAZY for me lately... thank you Obama and your stimulus money. We're still experiencing layoffs (not environmental staff) so Im very thankful for my job and its flexibility.

Anywhoo - Maddie had tons of fun while we were gone. She went to Chapel Hill and came back with a Carolina shirt and basketball (hey, Grammie had to have her shot), they saw lots of bugs, birds and other wildlife in the yard and neighborhood, went to a playground and did lots of PLAYING! Ive mentioned before that Grammie kept lots of Jim and his sisters old toys and Maddie thinks they're great.

Love this pic... Grandad reading Maddie a story

Just doesnt turn like it used to...

Maddie taking it for a spin

We made it home in one piece and are getting back into our normal daily routine. Our house was still a complete disaster because of the hardwoods getting redone - and its just sort of starting to look normal again. We ran around to clean for our angel-of-a-cleaning-lady and I think its finally livable again. This house is going to give me an ulcer. Seriously. I love it to death... but its too small. Yes, we are looking for a bigger house. Here are a few pics from yesterday...

Peep love

Coloring on the sidewalk

The azaleas finally bloom!

That's it for now! Happy Friday to everyone.