Pascha 2009

This Pascha Clay and I were blessed to receive our goddaughter, Sophia. Here is Sophia's Chrismation along with the rest of her family who we love. James adores Sophia and all 3 of her siblings.

The midnight Paschal procession before we enter the brightened church and declare, "Christ is Risen!"

"Oh, Death, where is your sting?
Oh, Hell, where is your victory? Christ is risen, and you are cast
down! Christ is risen, and the demons are fallen! Christ is risen, and
the angels rejoice! Christ is risen, and life is set free! Christ is
risen, and the tomb is emptied of its dead!"

Later that day, after sleeping until 10ish (good job, James), the Gaspards had us over for a delicious celebratory dinner and a very thoughtful egg hunt for James. Here are Dinah's impressive table settings...

Here's James taking off for the hunt....

This photo was taken the instant before he stopped in his tracks and started crying. The attention and cheering seemed to be too much but he felt better after Papa grabbed his own basket and joined the hunt.

James got a kite in his Pascha basket and here's Dad teaching him how to fly...

Not pictured is the very lovely basket and egg hunt my parents put together for James which put ours to shame. Can we get some cousins around here? It's time to share the fun!

CHRIST IS RISEN! HE IS RISEN INDEED!