Baptisms and Birthday

Lily, Gracie and Lola with the grandmothers

just before baptism

Proud grandmothers

Don getting baptized

Gracie being baptized

Lily's turn

Last, but not least, Lola being baptized

Lola with Pastor Bill

Papa and Gracie listening

Mama with Lily and Lola and some of the godparent crew

Gracie wondering where the cake is?

Lola with godfather Tom and godmother Bobbie

Lily with godmother Karen and godfather Kevin

(Karen very masterfully handling a crabapple Lily who

wanted her Mama and a bottle.)

Gracie with godparents Pastor Bill and Cindy

Gracie with big smiles for Pastor Bill

The fam

Proud Mama with little socialite Lola

Lily, thankful for cousin Alyson's loving arms and lap to sleep in

The proud parents and Lola

The proud parents and Gracie

Gracie having such fun with cousin Taylor and friend Sydney, cousin

Jaxson stands by for support

And they all fall down, the best part!

Lola, content with her skirt over her head and bare feet, and

of course godfather Tom!

Papa celebrating his birthday with his girls

and a special cake decorated by Gracie

Pretty girl Gracie and those sparkly shoes

Our little Elton John

This past Sunday was a very special day for our family. Don, Gracie, Lily and Lola all were baptized. We have been planning this day since the babies birth in June. We just couldn't do it the way we wanted until RSV season was over. But, waiting was just fine in the end because Gracie is now home of course and the whole day was great fun for us.

Lola was content and happy watching all the people. Gracie loved playing with her cousins and friend Sydney. Lily spent a good portion of her baptism crying and the rest sleeping peacefully with cousin Alyson. My personal favorite moment was when Pastor Sam moved the baptism water close enough for Lily and Lola to splash in and fully participate in their baptism. Although watching Gracie's face as Pastor Bill anointed Don with baptism water was pretty priceless too. You could tell she thought "What is going on here?"

We very much appreciate everyone who was able to participate in the baptisms, especially our family and the godparents of all of the girls.

Yesterday, we celebrated Don's birthday and Gracie especially had fun preparing for the big day. She helped me make the cake, wrap the present and made several special cards for Papa. We hadn't really intended on Don being anything but "Daddy", however, Papa makes the most sense to Gracie and that is just fine with us.

Anyway, we continue on, adjusting to our new lives as a family of five. Some ups, some downs, but you know what- that is life, and we are just simply glad to have each other to share it all with.

Love, Mel