Saturday, March 3, 2012

A beautiful baptism

It's so hard to believe that our last child has now been baptized.  Cooper's baptism seems like yesterday.  Kinley's big day was not without drama, but she was such a trooper.  Doug's siblings who were going to come had to cancel due to health reasons and we had an extended family emergency that caused Doug's parents to have to feel like they needed to be in two places at once.  To top it off, when we got to the chapel, the guy who was supposed to fill up the baptismal font completely spaced it.  The problem is that it takes about 3 hours to fill it with warm water.  After much discussion, we decided to just fill it with cold water and go with it.  Kinley was such a trooper!!  It really was a special day for her--almost all of her grandparents (minus Papa, who was enjoying AZ sunshine) were there as were so many other friends.  I honestly couldn't have asked for a nicer day.  We had a nice dinner at our house with family and friends afterward and Kinley enjoyed having a houseful to help her celebrate. 

A huge shout out to my amazing friends--Tirsa for doing an amazing talk that Kinley is still talking about, Tasha for doing a prayer on short notice, Jason for playing piano, and Carli for singing with Kaiya in her usual amazing voice.  And all of them did this on little sleep due to the surprise party the night before that Tirsa and Brandie organized. Everyone kept asking me if I was bugged about the mishaps, but I was still on such a high from the party and the spirit was so strong at the baptism that nothing could have shaken me that day.  

A day none of us will soon forget!! 






Can't get enough of the little ones

So happy Hamma & Papa Jay could come

She looked so old suddenly

Always a favorite picture

Loved her cake

Feeling pretty special

No small feat for Grandma & Grandpa to be there.  Kinley was thrilled!

Our special musical number treat

When did my kids all grow up?
My favorite photo of the day

Friday, March 2, 2012

Suprise!!

I will admit that I am gullible.  I don't suspect things in others and I'm easily fooled.  Just ask my brother, Brandon.  He spent our childhood tricking me and it really wasn't that hard.  I also LOVE surprises--I don't sneak around looking for Christmas gifts and I get angry when someone figures out my surprises.  I purposely didn't find out the sex of any of our kids before they were born.  Get the picture?

So, when my dear friends, Tirsa and Brandie (along with a number of other amazing women in my life whom I learned decorated, planned and crafted) decided to throw a 40th surprise birthday party for Tasha and me, I was not only surprised--I was completely stunned. My birthday isn't until the last day in March, but Tasha's was on Valentine's Day, so the date of the party was smack between the two.

I can't even describe my emotions Friday night as the door was opened and there stood so many awesome friends and family.  Tasha (though maybe not quite as gullible as I am) was equally as surprised (see photos!).  I still can't believe this amazing group of girls pulled off such an amazing night.  From the scrapbooks to the posters to the decorations, it was unreal.   Thank you, ladies!!  It's something I'll never forget.

Party helpers

Brandie feeling relieved she doesn't have to keep a secret anymore

Stunned birthday girl #1

Stunned birthday girl #2

Love this photo

So fun to have my family there

Fun cake!

Trying to capture the group, the sign and the cactus posters

One amazing night!!
The crew before the guests arrived -- so fun to have Heather in town from Alabama!

So many great friends!