happy easter

Happy Easter  
:: Carry Me to the Cross ::

When the path is daunting
And every step exhausting
I'm not alone
I'm not alone, no, no
I feel you draw me closer
All these burdens on my shoulder
I'm not alone, I'm not alone
You pull me me from this place

Hallelujah
You carry me every day
You carry me all all the way
Hallelujah
You carry me to the
You carry me to the cross

How your love has moved me, yeah
To the foot of all your glory
I'm not alone, I'm not alone
I'm not alone

Hallelujah
You carry me every day
You carry me all all the way
Hallelujah
You carry me to the
You carry me to the cross

All of these cities you have built
And every cathedral you have filled
To all of creation you gave life with your hands
And with those hands you comfort me
You lift me up from my knees
And carry me
You carry me

Hallelujah
You carry me every day
You carry me all all the way
Hallelujah
You carry me to the
You carry me to the cross
The cross
You carry me to the
You carry me to the cross

Happy Easter Everyone

Vogel Easter 2012

Josh and I hosted Easter this year for my family. I love family get togethers, 10 adults, 9 little kids from 9-18months...lots of chaos, noise, and pure FUN!  Holidays get better and better the more kids there are...they help remind you of the true reason and the simpleness of it all. It's fun to explain to our own kids why we celebrate Easter, what does it mean, and why is it a significant day to remember.
 I'm a big fan of traditions both serious and silly, so who doesn't love a good Easter Egg hunt...80 sum eggs hidden across our yard

get. ready. set. go....

 
beckett picked up on the game quickly...found way more than he needed!

ellington looking carefully in all the hidden spots

 

 

 

 

 

another fun family tradition: Easter Baskets

 The best part of the Eater baskets was the HUNT! Dad would start us all out (all 4 of us) at the same place in the house, we'd be given our first clue to start us on the journey all across the house, upstairs, downstairs, outside, in the garage until finally the PRIZE...

ellington and beckett are quiet ready for that extreme of a mission, but we've at least started the tradition. this year ellington was given one clue: "where do we get clean?" beckett followed her around thinking and of course headed up in the bathroom. throw back the shower curtain and...

ellington: jelly shoes, princess puzzle, paper doll stickers & peeps
beckett: new sippy cups, shoes, watercolor painting, & peeps

beckett trying "peeps" for the first time...a josh favorite, not so much for the kids or myself. sorry honey, just means you can have them all to yourself.

ellington had been eyeing these jelly shoes at the store for weeks. it brought back so many summer memories for myself. retro indeed!

this girl loves her puzzles!

we had a wonderful time celebrating with our family, the rising of our Lord and Savior. sharing that joy with ellington this year was very special. she asks constantly about the bible stories she hears, where jesus is and how he helps us. what a privilege it is to guide her in her journey to knowing Him as her own personal Savior.

barber shop blues

- beckett's 1st haircut -

i absolutely LOVE beckett's long hair, so you may wonder why we {or i } chose to have his hair cut...well, that's a really good question! i also love photographing memories and milestones. his hair was in need of a little trimming and while we know an awesome hairdresser {martha, we love you} i selfishly wanted to do the traditional barber shop thing. this post is rather humbling but a lesson well learned...i hate having my own hair cut. i agonize over it before and mostly during. so i carefully shared with the young man what i wanted for beckett's hair...long still, trim the ends, so he could see a little better...well, i'll just let the pictures speak for themselves.

the before shot

he did a great job sitting still

he's not even sure about it

well, there you have it. beckett's locks are gone! i'm still not okay with it, but i have to let it go and remind myself that hair grows back. but, boy do i miss my little boy's long hair.