This last weekend was very special for us. On Saturday, September 3rd, Garrett was baptized by his Dad. It was a very special day with many family members and friends there to support him.
We believe that you are to be
baptized at 8 years old, an age when we are finally able to distinguish between right and wrong and make promises with our Heavenly Father with an understanding of those promises. Garrett made the decision to be baptized. I'm sure God will use his sweet, gentle personality in amazing ways.
Garrett asked two of our favorite people, Tricia Greenwood to give a talk about baptism, and his former teacher, Sandy Turley to give a talk on the
Holy Ghost. He also asked our special friend Melissa to sing a trio with Kaile and Claire. They all did such a wonderful job.
Thanks to everyone who brought dessert for us all to enjoy. Thank you also to Alene and Jesse for fulfilling Garrett's special requests of "a flower arrangement from Aunt Alene" and "homemade rootbeer from Uncle Jesse." You helped make Garrett's day so special.
This is also the day that many of our family members met Kade for the first time. Here is Wade, in typical Wade fashion. :) I love my brother.
That night we went to the Ahrend's to eat. It is fun getting together with such good friends (family).
A bunch of cousins :)
Listening to scary stories by the fire.
I love this picture of Travis and Trent.
That night we went to visit Grandma Jones. I love this amazing, special lady. Sarah was right, she sure does know how to talk to a baby! She loved holding Kade and rocking him to sleep. What a moment in time I will always treasure.
Sunday brought us even more joy. Kade was to be blessed. Papa Peterson spent the morning rocking with him to lullabies.
That afternoon we had a family get together to celebrate not only Kade and Garrett, but Grandma's 90th birthday. Grandma had fun riding in a bi-plane and other fun things with her daughters before we arrived.
Unfortunately, we forgot to take family pictures on Kade's blessing day, so you'll have to put up with pics of him and his mommy.
Some of the cousins came over and had a good time running around. Unfortunately, I had to keep reminding Garrett not to tackle people. It wasn't football practice!
We were lucky that Grandma's birthday weekend was this same weekend so we could enjoy having Aunt Alison, Aunt Valerie and Uncle Alan there as well!!! We love you! (and we missed you Uncle Pat!)
Uncle Dale and Aunt Tammy
I love these special ladies in my life. (Tricia, you should be in there too!) So glad they are only a phone call away if I need them!
I LOVE this picture!!! It is so.... them. :) How are we ever going to find friends like this in Texas?
What an amazing group of guys.
This is little Charly, and humongous Kade. 3 weeks apart. I'll have to find the pic of Claire and Ethan at about the same time.
Can you tell we were all exhausted? It was too short of a weekend!
On Monday we went to the San Diego temple to take family pictures. Thanks Ginny!!! (I'll post some of my favorites next.) Then we went to my parents house for the afternoon. My sister-in-law, Rachel, made Kade this most darling quilt. She is amazing and someday, I hope to get some lessons. :)
Of course, holding Kade was a priority.
And opening presents for Garrett's birthday and baptism were in order.
It was a lot of fun seeing our families again.
And playing... Can you find two boys in the above picture? Unfortunately, the time was too short. Such a hard departure, but time to return to our new home.
We saw this amazing double rainbow as we left my parents house. A reminder that even though I am sad having to leave, there are beautiful things to come.
Thank you Sarah for making this weekend possible, feeding us all, putting up with us, and for making sure I was taken care of and rested! Love to all our family and friends that made this special weekend so special!
