My Angel's Baptism

 When children are born into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints upon reaching the age of 8 they can make the choice to get baptized thus becoming members of the church. 

This past Saturday my beautiful sweet girls made the decision to get baptized. 

My parents, in-laws, and dear brother Kenny were able to come.  I know there were a great many more family members that wished they could be there and were there in spirit.

Dressed in spotless white which is symbolic of purity my eternal sweetheart exercised his priesthood authority and baptized our daughters.  Following the baptism, Michael again exercised his priesthood authority and confirmed them members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and gave them the gift of the Holy Ghost thus completing their first step on their way back to their Heavenly Father who loves them dearly.

When you have lost a loved one, big family events are very difficult.  But, due to the tender mercies of the Lord, this event was tender and sweet and filled with a calm and sweet spirit.

Thanks to all my dear friends who were willing and able to share with us their talents in helping with the music, conducting, and making the programs.  Thanks to my mom for being willing to sing a song written for a soprano like myself, but she was willing and able to sing the alto part beautifully and perfectly.  A big thank you to my dear long time friend Melissa who made an adorable dress out of cup cakes.  Her daughter will be getting baptized this October so I think we will be seeing that cake again.  A very special thanks to my friend Tiffany who got a text from her husband saying the girl's feet were cold and brought them socks to keep them warm.  A thanks to my brother to take away time from his family to come and spend the weekend with us.  A huge thanks to my parents who always make sure everyone is well fed and having a great time.  Also, thanks to my in-laws who are always so generous and supportive.

Following the baptism, we had a large group come over to the house for lunch and ate a whole bunch of food including ham and cheese sandwiches, salads, chips and dip, homemade cherry limeade, and desserts.

I had a great day filled with happiness that I was not expecting to feel, my sadness was swallowed up in the joy of a day complete with family, friends, and my sweet angel Katherine.

Girl's Birthday Party

 Yes, I know it was a couple of weeks later then their actual birthday, but we wanted to wait for my brother and parents to come into town to celebrate.  My family flew in this past Friday and then we picked up the girl's friend they invited for the party.  They invited their friend Phoebe which they have known their whole lives and these three cuties are about three weeks apart in age.

Our first stop for the party was Red Robin for lunch which is always yummy and fun.

We then went over to Park Meadows Mall and "window shopped" at the American Girl Store, with the dolls of course.  I told all three girls that we were just "looking" but Grandma had a different plan as Grandmas usually do.  She spoiled all three girls and bought them each an outfit for their dolls and then bought the girls a tea set each!  Needless to say, the girl's were thrilled!

The boys opted out for shopping at the American Girl Doll store (not sure why) and spent their time in the Lego Store and Dick's Sporting Goods looking at golf stuff for my dad and running stuff for my brother.

Our next stop in on the fun birthday train was the bowling alley.  Where my mom and I were the cheering section for the big boys, Joseph and the three girls.  My brother beat everyone big time!  Even my dad who by the way was using the bumpers! 

We went back to the house and mom and I got ready for the big lunch the next day for the baptism.  I made salads and my mom made her deliciously perfect home made rolls.  How does she do that?  We then picked up my in-laws who flew in later that night and got ready for the big day the following morning.

Christmas

 Well, Christmas came to our house as it does every year.  We had a fun and relaxing morning of opening presents.  I then put a turkey on to cook as we were planning to go over to our friend's house for dinner and I volunteered to bring the turkey.  We put toys and games together, played some of the games and then got dinner ready and headed over to our friend's for dinner.  At our friend's house we ate a yummy dinner and then played Apples to Apples Disney version which was fun because it allowed the kids to play with us.  We were beaten by the youngest player (aged 5).  Oh well, we still all had a great time.  It had snowed the night of Christmas Eve and that for a beautiful white Christmas which was a treat we do not get that beauty every year so we enjoyed that as well.