Happy Easter (2 weeks late!)

The "official" Easter pictures that were taken a week and a half after Easter at our friend Carly's church. These were taken the day it rained so much (I think Francie has seen more snow in her 16 months than rain - seriously). In the last picture I think she is watching the black clouds quickly approaching wondering what in the world is going on!

Here's our little bunny (or Boo, or Bugsie, or France, or Frannie Fran, or Baby, or Sugar ... just depending on what mood strikes!) on Easter. She's chasing the bubbles that came in her Easter basket.

The one and only family picture we managed to get....

Modeling her new longhorn tee....

Finding lots of neat things in her basket...

and wondering what in the world side walk chalk is.

Easter tradition

I recently asked for Easter tradition ideas on fb and this is one idea - love it!

Annie's "Resurrection Cookies" - Also known as Easter Story Cookies~
This is a great recipe to teach your Children the REAL story of Easter. That the Lord Jesus Christour Savior is not dead but has Risen. We serve a Risen Savior......
This activity can be done as a "family" or for Sunday School. Of course the Sunday School option mightbe to hand it out to the class with a note to the parents. Grandparents might consideringdoing this with their grandchildren this year too!!!
So Grab your Apron and Let's Get Started!!!!!!!

You will need:
1 cup whole pecans
1 teaspoon vinegar
3 egg whites
a pinch salt
1 cup sugar
a zipper baggy
1 wooden spoon
scotch tape
Bible
Instructions:These are to be made the evening before Easter. Preheat oven to 300F.*** (this is very important --- don't wait until you are half done with the recipe).Place pecans in zipper baggy and let children beat them with the wooden spoon to break into small pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested. He was beaten by the Roman soldiers. Read: John 19:1-3
Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 teaspoon vinegar into mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross He was given vinegarto drink. Read: John 19:28-30
Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His lifeto give us life. Read: John 10:10&11
Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand. Let them taste it and brush the restinto the bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers,and the bitterness of our own sin. Read: Luke 23:27
So far the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1 cup sugar. Explain that thesweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us toknow and belong to Him. Read: Psalm 34:8 and John 3:16
Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. Explain that the color white represents the purity in God's eyes of those whose sinshave been cleansed by Jesus. Read: Isaiah 1:18 and John 3:1-3
Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoon onto waxed paper covered cookie sheet.Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid.Read: Matthew 27:57-60
Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF.
Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door.Explain that Jesus' tomb was sealed. Read: Matthew 27:65-66
GO TO BED!
Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight.Jesus' followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed. Read: John 16:20&22
On Resurrection Sunday (Easter) morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the crackedsurface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On the first Easter Jesus' followers were amazedto find the tomb open and empty. Read: Matthew 28:1-9

"Nana's Great Escape"

My mom recently took our entire family to Disney World over Spring Break. We had so much fun! Thankfully we are a family that enjoys each other's company, so the whole big group thing worked out really well.

Hollywood Studios Epcot

Animal Kingdom

Magic Kingdom

Birthday party

Charlotte and Francie - checking things out!
Waiting for Mr. Jon to open the music!!


Cake was yummy - not too sure about the icing!

Fun times!

And now for the culmination of a great birthday weekend - the party! Lots of fun playing with sweet friends Charlotte, Maddy, Ainsley, cousins - Anna Carson, and John Paul!

Birthday weekend part two

Nana, Papa, Aunt Christy, Anna Carson, and John Paul got to come for the weekend of Francie's birthday. We were so excited! We picked them up at the airport and went to Home Slice for lunch. JP got a kick out of watching the guys throw up the dough. Lunch was delicious - one of my favorites in Austin. Bitty got to open a few presents - it was a fun start to the weekend!

Francie's Birthday weekend

So now that Francie is 13 months old I suppose it's time to add some birthday pictures! Her big 1 year birthday started with an early morning breakfast at Kirby Lane. Since God finished making Francie with the Paris Texas platter (as we went there every single week after our appointment with Dr. Hart for the last month of pregnancy!) we decided it was a fitting place to begin her birthday celebration. Mr. Mott was always our waiter, so a new blueberry pancake tradition begins...

Francie's 1 year slide show

http://cozyimpressionsphotography.com/Francie1/