Perfect Picture

Lyla is pretty good about letting me take her picture. Probably because she has had a camera in her face since she was fresh out of the womb. But like any toddler, she is all about the action shot. Getting her to pose for a picture is futile. We were waiting outside for her daddy and so I pulled out my point and shoot to take a picture of the cute outfit my mom sent her. I guess she felt like modeling because she pointed her toe and gave me the best smile. This is one of my favorite pictures of her, ever!

18 Months & Easter Egg Hunt

April 4 was also Lyla's 18 month birthday. I can not believe she is half way to two years old. She is growing and changing so fast. We all went a little overboard with the Easter gifts, but since it was a joint celebration I guess it can't hurt. She caught on to the egg hunting pretty fast. She liked picking them up and putting them in her little pink basket. I had jelly beans in the eggs from the Easter bunny but took them out before the hunt since I didn't want a swarm of ants in our yard. Lyla did not appreciate my forethought. She kept opening the eggs and putting them back down in disappointment. Finally I got a few jelly beans and put them in the eggs. Much more productive egg hunting by Miss L.

Enjoying the Jelly Beans

Cypress Gardens

After church and a yummy brunch, we headed to Cypress Gardens just down the road from where we live. It is full of strangely beautiful plant-life and lots of alligators. We went out in a tiny boat that required ducking under bridges to get a closer look at these gators. Really!?! I was a nervous wreck! I kept having hysterical visions of Lyla falling in and me jumping in after her only to be attacked by a swarm of snapping jaws. But I did get to see where they filmed the Swan scene from my FAVORITE movie, The Notebook. So facing total annihilation had its reward!

the tiny wooden boats

Too close. I don't have a zoom lens!

Notebook Swan Scene

How I felt the entire boat ride

In a less terrifying section of the preserve, there was a small aquarium and a butterfly garden. This was more my idea of a leisurely Sunday afternoon outing. I got some beautiful pictures of Lyla. She looked so pretty in her Easter dress.

Checking out the "meesh & nakes"

Pretty girl in the Butterfly Garden

Easter Sunrise Service

We headed to the Battery in downtown Charleston for a sunrise Easter service. It was beautiful to see the sun come up over the water but the bugs and the lack of a sound system made the actual service a little difficult. I think next year we will opt for a traditional indoor Easter celebration!

Daddy's Face

For some reason, whenever we asked Lyla what face Daddy makes she started making the face below. It's hilarious! This is L with her giant baby. She drags her everywhere and bosses her around. Good big sister practice for the future!