Easter Memories ...

I actually pulled the pictures in this post together last year.

But it felt too close to share.

My heart was still missing the family times too much.

But this year I can look at my sweet pictures

with a truly 

Grateful Heart.

Memories can really be such a gift

when handled with with care

in a full and grateful heart.

With happy appreciation

instead of a longing for days gone by.

Especially at this stage of life.

A beautiful look back as

an encouragement to continue to make 

Beautiful Memories 

no matter 

which stage of life

we find ourselves in.

I still remember this Easter so vividly.

I designed and sewed all three outfits.

Jeff dressed up as the Easter bunny

Easter baskets were made

eggs hidden

my parents and brother came over to join us for brunch

and 

egg discovery!

I knew even way back then

I wanted to create beautiful memories

and 

Celebrate our life together.

My sister died when I was in my early 20's

I learned then

to never take time together for granted.

I grew up loving Easter!

Besides family time

it was always a new Easter dress, shoes and a hat!

Oh how I've always loved a great 'outfit'!

I realize I learned to love on my family

dressing them

and

making things pretty from my mother

as you can easily see here in an Easter photo

from the late 70's.

My parents besides being teachers

also opened a fabric store.

I designed and made most of the store displays.

My love of clothes and accessories

continued to deepen

and 

I set off to college to learn all I could.

So when I had my own family

special Easter outfit designs

was something I loved to do!

As well as designing special indoor and outdoor spaces

for our children.

Jeff built this sweet playhouse 

with a storybook deck and garden.

I have always been interested in making 

the everyday beautiful

so styling Easter is always a highlight for me.

Even something as simple as candied eggs

in a beautiful bowl

finished with some fresh lavender

can make the ordinary beautiful!

 

We rented a bunny costume every year

while the kids were young

and

back then it was a big expense for us.

But I am ever so grateful er did it!

Not only did it bring the kids so much joy at the time

it made for these pictures I treasure ever so much!

We also started having the bunny visit the children on the street as well!

Adding so much joy to our block parties!

Slater  was so full of joy and happiness

it literally brought tears to his eyes.

My dear Hunter.

And my beautiful girl.

My parents always came each year.

My mother always in her Easter best!

My brother as well.

Several years ago

when the kids were still around

I really wanted that Easter Fun back.

But how to recapture it with adult children?

I decided to buy and put up a ping pong table in the backyard!

I thought it would be such a simple thing to do

it ended up taking Jeff hours to assemble!

But it was still worth it in the end!

That year since everyone was past 21

I hid little bottles

and 

even a couple of eggs with cash.

The hunt was on!

That was the last Easter we were all together.

I'm forever grateful

for all the effort I put out making 

things beautiful and special.

Now as life goes on as it does

some of us are missing

but

we have also been blessed with 

new wonderful family members.

Easter celebrations can be in different places theses days

Like the year we had a beautiful Easter

on the rooftop in SanDiego!

 

We are not all together these years.

But there is still so much to celebrate.

And  the  precious memories remain.

And I am so ready  to make

New Easter memories

and

 to continue to

Celebrate the Everyday

Everyday.

Thank you so much for your visit here

and 

indulging my trip down memory lane.

I'd love to hear your favorite Easter memories!

As always my friends

I wish you love and joy

as you style your life