Mckayla's Baptism!

Daddy and Mckayla

Mckayla's birthday was November 6th with a fun friend party the day before (stay tuned for pics from that), but we scheduled her baptism for November 19th so that my sister and her husband could be here since they were already coming for Thanksgiving.  I think it worked out well.  It was nice to do the fun birthday party stuff at that time and then really focus on her baptism at a different time.
I love that we can do our own baptisms, no ward/stake group things.  We had grandfathers Grandpa Allan and Grandpa Wade give the opening and closing prayers, Grandma Marla and Aunt Emily played piano and lead the music, and Aunt Stephie and Aunt Emily gave talks on baptism and the Holy Ghost.  Grandma Allan and Grandma Marla also shared special messages with Mckayla at the lunch afterwards.  It was a nice family affair (we did have a few friends from the ward too which was nice, thanks guys!) and we're really grateful everyone was there to support Mckayla.
Mckayla was all sweet smiles the whole time, and I was a basket of emotions (I mostly blame the pregnancy).  It was crazy to think the last family baptism we had as I recall was Uncle Cameron, and at the time I was pregnant with Mckayla.  Now it was my babies turn and I'm pregnant with our likely last baby and Uncle Cam was a witness along with Uncle Tyler who would be leaving on his mission a few weeks later.  The program was lovely, Mckayla picked great songs, and the baptism and confirmation were of course wonderful.
It was time for her and Daddy to go in the water sooner than I expected and that's where the tears started.  My sweet big girl.  It went so fast I feel like I missed it.  I wish we could have taken photos during.  I went back and helped her change and was crying from emotions of my baby being old enough for this, knowing she was taking on great responsibility, but gaining great blessings too, and just general feeling the spirit.  I reassured her I wasn't sad, but very happy.  She of course in her wisdom said "oh I know Mom, every mom has to cry once in a while".  Love her.
Watching her sit in the chair in the middle of the men in the confirmation circle was neat.  She was in her fancy white dress Stephie has had for her for the last year at least, and just glowed.  I could see her little face amongst all those standing around her and she was just a sweet spiritual smile.  Dad gave her a lovely blessing along with the precious gift of the Holy Ghost.  I'm so grateful he holds the Priesthood and is worthy to do that for our precious daughter.  I'm so proud of her for choosing to do this.

We love you Mckayla!

Quite the family photo don't you think, love Talm and Katie.

Forgive the lighting, she's still an angel and all baptized and confirmed

I took the opportunity to make this nice for Mckayla and a little dressy.  I'm happy with how it turned out.  Thanks to everyone who brought food and helped me prepare it, and to Jer and the kids and my sister for helping decorate.

A decent shot of everyone at the lunch.  My family, Jer's mom and siblings and Grandma, his Dad and wife Audrey and Grandparents, and sweet mission friends the Bates.
It was just Jer and the kids and I who set the tables up before the baptism started and for some reason accomplishing something like that as a team was a strange feeling, these kids are really ours, we're really a real family with kids, not babies or toddlers.  I mean I realize we have 3 kids, one on the way, we're not exactly new parents, I don't know, hard to explain, just a neat feeling.

Sweet Talm.  He was so excited to give Mckayla her new scriptures and bag.  She's a good girl and reads them every night before bed.

A family pic with my side which was nice to get since everyone was there.
Uncle Ryan, Aunt Stephie, Jer and I with the kids in front, my brother Tim, my Mom, Dad, and my brother Tyler

A neat 4 generation picture with Daddy, Grandma Marla, Grandma Great, and Mckayla.  While I miss the opportunity to do this with my Grandmothers, I'm grateful Mckayla can right now.

Uncle Cam

Uncle Dustin

Post baptism and lunch cleanup.  Talm was all over it with Uncle Ryan.  Man he loves that guy

Sweet Aunt Stephie and Katie bug

A sweet daddy-daughter moment after all was over talking about the day.

Mckayla received some lovely gifts that day for being baptized.  A pearl necklace and fancy gift box from Grandma and Grandpa Allan, a super special poem in a fancy frame from Aunt Stephie that easily made me cry, a really neat Temple picture all the way from Aunt Jamie and Uncle Derek, and a journal from her Primary teacher she's writing in here.

Thanks again to everyone who came and supported Mckayla and our family.  Sorry we didn't get photos with everyone.
Mckayla Eve is a special girl who we love more than anything and feel privileged to have in our family!