here comes peter cottontail...

happy easter 2009....we had a joyous day together with all of our family and samantha had a really wonderful FIRST easter. we had a busy day beginning at church in the morning, birthday lunch for my Aunt Linda, last minute preparations at home in the aftenroon and then I hosted Easter dinner for the first time. (big yummy dinner, the masters golf on in the background and a game of apples and apples to finish the evening) i loved seeing her in her fancy easter dress and cute bunny outfit, helping her find easter clues for her first elmer egg hunt, seeing the happiness she brings out in everyone and the fun we had spending the day together, remembering the importance of Easter Sunday. 

unfortunately we spent the eve of easter in the emergency room after samantha woke up during the night with a scary, loud cough and was having trouble breathing. these past three weeks has been her first cold/sickness and the little nagging cough is just dragging on and on. no big deal until saturday night when it turned drastically into the coup. a steamy bathroom didn't work and the tears and pain continued. after our frantic call to the doctor we headed to the hospital...overwhelming to think how lucky we have been to not have had a health scare or problem at all until now. this middle of the night hospital trip was not a good feeling. she was treated with a medicated breathing treatment and two shots with anti-inflamatories for her swollen windpipe. poor baby girl. she was a trooper through the whole 3 1/2 hours and just hung out and snuggled with us while we waited and waited...sooooooo as fast as it came it then went, thank goodness and even with the little sleep we all got, easter morning came and samantha was fine. still a tickle cough at night, but thankfully no more croup. healthy, warm wishes go to all those babies who are sick and in hospitals and to their very brave parents. 

who knew how much fun a plastic easter egg could be...open, close, open, close, hehe
trying not to squint in the bright outdoors
my first bunny cake...i had icing and coconut on every inch of my kitchen
bunny snuggles from her favorite Pop Pop during lunch at McCormick and Schmitt's
helping Mommy read the first clue of the elmer easter hunt....
finding the next easter clue all by herself...we had clues in the bathtub, crib, colebaby's bowls, on the stroller and even hiding in the wind sock on the porch...
surprise....the easter bunny left her a beautiful easter basket, just for her!
checking out her easter basket, new books and a pretty yellow dress, some cute bunnies and bubbles too
watching her Great Nanny and Pop Pop play Eppers...elmer family easter tradition
having fun playing with her family...Tia Lita brings her a giant princess ball
eating a big girl dinner, sweet potatoes, ham, mac and cheese and green beans, yum!

eating dinner with Uncle Blake and Mimi
checking out the bunny cake, almost time to dig in!