Sunday Snapshot: Easter in Tampa

{Canon Rebel XTi, 50mm 1.4, ISO 800, f2.8, Shutter 1/80, edited in Photoshop CS5}

When my sister’s mother-in-law (whom I affectionately refer to as my adopted mother-in-law) called about a month ago and asked if I’d come down to Tampa for Easter, it didn’t take me too long to decide. While the Northwest has become home, I still miss my sister and her family terribly. So the idea of being there to celebrate this great day of hope was quite exciting. There is nothing like the unabated, untainted, unrestrained joy and excitement of a child, which is why I eventually narrowed down the above photo as my favorite. Ethan was sorting through his eggs, and momentarily glanced up at me with this priceless, unasked for grin. Sure, in that moment his joy might have been wrapped up in the goodies in the eggs. But with the same fervor he also proclaimed throughout the day his version of the famous liturgical call and response. My sister would initiate, “He is risen!” and Ethan would respond, “Indeed!” I kind of like the shortened version myself.

While I expected Ethan’s enthusiasm in the festivities, the great surprise of the morning was how engaged Sophie, at a mere fifteen months, was in the hunt for eggs. She got the knack of the quest quite quickly, prompting her to discover more than just the pink eggs that had been “hidden” specifically with her in mind.

Moments before the above shot, Ethan had discovered an egg inside this coffee table jar. Sophie had to make sure he didn’t miss any in there.

Yes, her eyes are still that glorious blue. And she can still pull off that serious stare. But the girl is also full of quite a few belly laughs these days.

While Sophie is nearly impossible to capture on camera, due to her rapidity of movement (she can move across the room, climb a kitchen chair, and be on top of the table before you say “Easter Egg”), Ethan quite enjoys posing for the camera.

Egg hunting is serious business folks.

I can see the candy…now how do I get to the candy…

Daddy’s little girl.

Headed to church.

Trying to get some smiles for a family photo shoot. Despite this momentary glee, Sophie was not feeling it.

Adults are much easier to photograph.

After church, we headed over to my sister’s in-laws for a lovely Easter lunch.

Where Sophie enjoyed tolerated a new set of ears.

I hope you had a blessed Easter rejoicing in the hope of our risen King! I’m hanging out down here in Florida the rest of the week, and then it’s back to the Northwest for the two month countdown to the wedding. It can’t come soon enough!