Sumner's First Easter

            Sumner’s first Easter was very special.  The only negative aspect about the whole day was when we were getting ready for church.  Growing up, getting dressed for church was also always a challenge.  Hopefully, this year will be a learning experience for next year.  The lesson Matthew and I learned was that we need to get up with the sun so we have time to do the “Easter Bunny” thing, get dressed, take pictures, and be on time to church.  Matthew did get up before the sun to go to the sunrise service.  Sumner has had a bad cold and is finishing up his antibiotics.  Therefore, we decided he did not need to be in the cold air, so the two of us stayed in bed. 

            The Easter service at church was amazing.  My favorite part was at the end when the congregation decorated a plain, old, wooden cross with pretty flowers.  As music played, families came down together and placed flowers in the wire wrapped cross.  It was very symbolic as to how the cross is something very ugly looking from the outside, but thanks to Jesus, was transformed to stand for something truly amazing and beautiful.

            After church, we ate at Magnolias Restaurant with mine and Matthew’s family.  Sumner ate from my plate for the first time and loved it.  After lunch we all went to my Grandparent’s house for the traditional Easter egg hunt.  The only two children there this year were Sumner and John Curtis, but we had fun anyway.  Sumner did surprisingly well hunting eggs.  He held on to our finger and walked all over the yard.  When we showed him an egg he picked it up, usually put it straight to his mouth, and then put it in his Easter basket.  By the end of the Easter egg hunt, Sumner wanted to walk and hold his own basket.  I had to take some of the eggs out so it wouldn’t be too heavy.  He was so cute and really had fun.  Not only did he enjoy hunting eggs, he also loved swinging and being outdoors. 

            Also, I cannot forget to mention what the Easter Bunny dropped off at the Palmer house. Sunday morning, Sumner woke up to find the cutest plush Easter basket in the shape of a bunny.  It had big, floppy, green gingham ears and his name embroidered on the back.  Inside there was a book, a Veggie Tale DVD, a Polo romper, several pairs of socks, and a new toy.  The Easter bunny left Matthew and I some candy, too!