Lia's Baptism Day

Lia's long awaited baptism day finally arrived yesterday.  She was so excited!  The morning started out fast and furious for us as we had to be at the church by 9:30 in the morning.  This also meant that I had to be ready to host 22 people by this same time since everyone from my family was coming to our house immediately after the baptism.  So, that made things a little extra crazy for me, but thanks to planning ahead and staying up late Friday night and getting up early Saturday morning, we were ready for Lia's baptism and her party by the time we needed to leave for church.  Lia shared her baptism program with three other children--two were a brother-sister/twin combo from our ward and the other one was a little girl from the Manorwood ward.  We had a nice and simple baptism program and then Lia was baptized and confirmed by her papa.  It really was a special morning for all of us.  As we were leaving the church afterwards, Lia told me that she felt the Holy Ghost during both the baptism and her confirmation.  When I asked her how she knew this, she said that she felt a warm feeling in her heart.  *sigh*  She is such a sweet and special girl.  

After the baptism and family photos outside the church, everyone in my family (minus Bryce who was on a Scout camping trip) came back to our home for a delicious luncheon.  This was a special treat as Brent's family had decided to come out from Missoula just a few days earlier (including Spencer who caught a Greyhound bus from Rexburg to Missoula the day before they left).  It was so much fun to have everyone together one last time before Spencer leaves on his mission to Taiwan in May.  We enjoyed eating and visiting together and Lia and Logan had the time of their lives running wild with their cousins both inside and outside.  Luckily, the rain stopped long enough for the kids to play out on the play set and on the sport's court.  Overall, it was a wondering morning and afternoon and one that I hope my little Lia will never forget.  We love you, Lia, and are so proud of you!

Lia all dressed up in her pretty baptism dress before leaving for the church that morning.

Another picture of Lia in her dress (that I bought for her years ago)!

Daddy and daughter before their big day.

Lia and her friend, Isabel, in their beautiful, white dresses after arriving at the church.  I just thought they both looked like little angels that day.

Our little family outside the church.

Another daddy daughter picture with the cherry blossoms in the background.

Ron and Lia changed into their baptism clothes before the program started.

My entire family minus Bryce outside the church after the Lia was baptized.

The luncheon spread that my mom and sister-in-laws helped me put together after the baptism.  I served chicken salad sandwiches, three kinds of salad (spinach, pasta, and a layered pea salad), fruit platters, meats, cheese, and crackers, and spinach and salmon dips with another kind of cracker.  Here are Natalee, my mom, and my silly, 15-year old nieces (Kelsey and Brynn) who now have to make silly faces in every picture they are in.  Oh, I remember those days...

Lia eating lunch with the "triplets' and sweet, Ella in the background.

After lunch, the majority of the cousins retreated to the basement for some crazy fun.  Here is the amazing, human sandwich I found when I went downstairs!  There is a pillow in between every body, too.  

After the rain stopped and the sun came out, all of the kids ventured outside.  It's hard to see in the is picture, but Spencer is holding baby Ella up to the basketball hoop so that she could put the ball inside.  He's such a great, older cousin.  I sure am going to miss him.

The gang on and around the play set.

We called the kids back in for dessert and for Lia to open her baptism gifts.  She got a wonderful baptism journal from Aunt Rebecca and Uncle Eric, a scripture case and baptism bracelet from Grandma and Grandpa, and a new set of scriptures with her name engraved on it from Ron and me.

Lia reading her card from her grandparents with Grandma looking on.

Lia examining her new scriptures after opening them.