Easter with Ellison

Holidays are a challenge for us. Like any married couple, we have both of our families wanting to spend holidays with us, and since they don't live in the same area, we can really only see one or the other. That would be hard enough, but I don't just have parents and siblings like Jay does - I have my mom and her boyfriend, my dad and stepmom, and my stepdad (still consider him that even though he is no longer married to my mom) and his girlfriend. As a child of divorced parents, I got used to doing something different every year and only seeing one branch of the family on certain holidays, but I think it was a harder adjustment for Jay, who is very close to his family and always got to see them on holidays. It doesn't help that we both work in hospitals and there's a good chance one or both of us are scheduled to work, too! Now that we have added a baby to the mix, everyone wants to see us even more. Luckily, this year neither of us had to work on Easter, and we decided early on that we would be spending it in Manitowoc with Jay's family, who don't have as many chances to see Ellison.

She can sit! (when propped just right)

We decided it would be easiest if we left on Saturday, so Ellison got her Easter basket a day early. Plus, she had multiple "First Easter" outfits that needed to be worn... :) I realize she has no idea what Easter is, but I love holidays and wanted to at least get her a little something! Next year I think we will get more into the "Easter bunny" part of Easter, but this year we just kind of plopped her down next to her basket and took a few pictures.

E with her Easter loot

Then we made the short drive to Manitowoc. Ellison has already been on a longer car ride than that (3+ hours when she was less than a month old), so this drive was no big deal!

Stylish little lady going to Grandma & Grandpa's

Sunday we got all dressed up for church. We have been at church every week of Ellison's life (except the first one, we were still in the hospital since she was born on a Friday night) so we are getting pretty used to how long it takes to get all three of us looking church-appropriate. We were even fairly early this week! So far Ellison has behaved very well in church. I don't think she has had any major meltdowns yet. She seems to really like the organ music and the last few weeks has been awake and looking around for at least part of the service. I really hope she stays well-behaved, because there is no way she will be one of those kids who are still up to the bathroom three times, eating snacks, and playing with toys the whole time when they are 6 or 7 years old! Not gonna fly.

Ellison and Daddy

Ellison and Mommy

Our family!

Ellison's oldest cousin, Logan, gave her a big chocolate bunny for Easter, and she got a very cute dress from Grandma and Grandpa Miller. This little girl is spoiled rotten and I know she has a couple more Easter baskets still to come...she is going to get good at writing thank you cards pretty early in life, I think!

Our Easter meal was delicious. Ham and all kinds of other deliciousness, yum! I love almost any meal I don't have to cook, but this was really, really good. Jay's mom always does a great job! I made a cake from scratch for the first time ever, and I thought it turned out really tasty. I was pretty nervous, because I have started to cook more in the last couple years, but "baking" has always been a mix from a box. So I was glad it turned out!

Strawberry Yogurt Cake

I want Ellison to stay little forever, but I am also looking forward to when she can play with her older cousins. They are so funny and fun to watch! She is lucky enough to have a girl cousin, Isabella, who is only a little over a year older than her, so I hope they will be great friends!

Ellison and Isabella...future BFF!

 

All in all, it was a wonderful first Easter as a family of three!