Nathan's Baptism

We took a mini road trip this weekend to upstate New York to attend our nephew Nathan's baptism. We drove up on Friday evening and back home Saturday night. We were all pretty beat on Sunday, but we're happy we made the drive. We especially loved seeing our family!

Here we are, getting ready in the hotel on Saturday morning and taking advantage of the TV being on.

The baptism was great. Aunt Melinda spoke about baptism and the Holy Ghost and Uncle Jake performed the ordinance. Everyone in the family was invited to sing As I Have Loved You for a musical number. I loved it.

After the baptism we stayed at the church playing while a few people picked up sandwiches. This game of Uno was apparently so intense that afterward Cooper came over to me and said, "That game of Uno felt like gambling. I liked it." Yes, I am mildly concerned.

photo credit: Melinda

After lunch we all changed our clothes and visited a lovely state park a short drive away. Peter, Aunt Melinda, Uncle Ben, and Papa Ron hiked up the waterfall.

photo credit: Melinda

Meanwhile, the rest of us played on the playground.

The day that we drove up, before we left, I mentioned to a friend where we were going and she rapturized about how beautiful it would be this time of year. I realized she was right and took my fancy camera and vaguely coordinating clothes. Bryan's dad graciously took pictures of our family while some of us looked at the camera and smiled and some of us made funny faces.

Then we got a few candid shots.

photo credit: Bryan

When we were all sufficiently chilly, we went to Jake and Melinda's house and enjoyed eating dinner, visiting, and playing with cousins. We even got a picture with Nathan before we headed home.

Nathan, we're so happy you chose to be baptized and that we were able to be there!

Important Introductions

Bryan's sister Melinda and her family came to visit this weekend. We loved playing with cousins at home and the park and had a fun picnic. In fact, we had so much fun, that I only pulled my camera out once.

My favorite part of the visit was when two-year-old Emma met Topher for the first time. As soon as she saw him, in her sweet, tiny, excited voice she cried out, "Baby! Baby!" It was adorable. Sam and Nathan also thought Topher was cute, but they weren't taken with him the way Emma was.

Sophie was eager to instruct her cousins on proper baby etiquette. She told them to be gentle and to avoid his soft spot and to give him kisses. They followed her directions well.

Thanks for making the trip guys! We loved seeing you!