Pre-Easter Fun

Well, I've been MIA lately.  Things have been busy around here and OH so FUN!  We celebrated Millie Janalee's very first Easter, and Russ had a day off FINALLY after a long stretch of work.  So I guess, I took the time to enjoy every minute of my sweet family.  And we had a ball!  Our weekend started Friday afternoon after Russ rested from his overnight call.  We packed up, loaded the car, and headed toward our hometown.  But first, we made a very special visit...

Just like our visit to see Santa, I was way more excited about our Easter Bunny pictures than Millie Janalee was.  Ha!  I was a little worried that she had reached the age of pure terror when she sees a mascot of any kind.  Russ sat in the car with Farley while I braved the line that made its way outside the door.  I stood in line with several very tired mamas and daddies...and some very excited children.  I watched as babies lay sleeping in the Easter Bunny's arms and toddlers ran screaming.  We got about halfway to the front of the line when Millie Janalee began "talking" to Peter Cottontail.  Ha!  She loved him (or her)!  I still wasn't sure how she would do when she was actually sitting amongst the fur, big eyes, and long ears.  I texted Russ when it was safe for him to come in and watch.  After a lengthy clarification of Millie Janalee's name to the photographer, the lady asked that Russ and I call her name because she "might get tongue tied." Oh my!  Y'all...it is pretty funny to hear all the reactions to her name.  Bless her (the photographer I mean) is all I can say right now.  Russ later informed me that when I answered her question about having a nickname she could use with "Nope.  The whole thing." that I may have been a little less than friendly.  Totally didn't mean to.  I'm just used to that staple answer nearly every time I introduce her.  Ha!  God bless the souls who recognize the beauty in her precious name!

I totally digressed there.  Back to the bunny.  Millie Janalee was such a ham!  She put on a show for the captive audience of tired parents and rowdy little ones.  Then, she wanted to see the Easter Bunny herself and would not turn back around.  It was so funny!  I imagine her saying, "So you're the Easter Bunny, huh?  Hi!  I'm Millie Janalee."  She's such a stinker!  And she loves a good photo opp just like her Mama!

We left Mr. Cottontail heading east.  Russ, Millie Janalee, and I enjoyed a delicious dinner at one of our favorite local steakhouse restaurants with the rest of my family.  We relaxed and enjoyed doing absolutely nothing the rest of the night.  Saturday afternoon, we paid a little visit to Jimmy and Roan.  They actually planned to host their annual Easter egg hunt, but it was raining...and it continued all day and weekend...so it was cancelled.  I texted Roan telling her we were coming rain or shine.  Ha!  We always enjoy our visits together.  Russ's sister, her oldest and his fiance, and her youngest joined us too.  Roan's friend and running buddy, Heather, and her family were also there.  We enjoyed a yummy dinner of bean tacos and the fixings.  Roan and her family can cook!

Aunt Jenny, Elle, Millie Janalee, Will, and Grace

Aunt Jenny and her baby girls!

Aunt Roan loves our little "baby doll."

Will is a pretty big fan too!

Julie is such a great babysitter!  She has such a nurturing spirit!

We stayed and visited until it was Millie Janalee's bedtime...or it would be by the time we made it back to my parents' house.  We made it back to town, and Millie Janalee wasn't quite ready for bed.  What do you do when you have extra time?  Well...on this particular night, we set up a photo shoot!  Of course!  Ha!  Seriously, Russ has all this nice photography equipment and he loves taking pictures.  But his work schedule has kept him so unbelievably busy that he hasn't been able to enjoy it.  He got lots of use out of his new flashes and camera and stands throughout the weekend.  Millie Janalee makes quite the adorable subject too!  I'm sure Russ will edit these and have them even better looking.  I just wanted them on the blog and did my own thing...which is never as good as the pro.

"Hmmmm...what's in here?"

Easter eggs!  This girl LOVES Easter eggs!  It may be Easter year-round at our house.  Ha!

This was one of my favorite little outfits!  I LOVE the back!

Sweet girl!

"Look Mama!  I found TWO eggs!"

I love this little pot belly!  I could eat her up with a spoon!

So excited about her first Easter!

After our photo shoot and a little bathtime, it was time for a bottle and bed!  Susu always gives the best baths, and PawPaw is pretty good with the bedtime bottle.  It's nice to relax a little and let the grandparents take over.  I call it "enjoying their time with their granddaughter."  But, let's be honest.  It's really called "letting Mama and Daddy just relax and watch."  Isn't that what grandparents are for anyway??  Ha!

"Is the Easter Bunny really coming in the morning?"

"Yay!  I can't wait!'

Millie Janalee finally got to bed and slept all night.  We woke up to such fun surprises Sunday morning!  And a special day all around!