8 on the 8th

Marissa had her golden birthday last Sunday. It was extra special because she was able to be baptized on her birthday! What a special way to celebrate! It was doubly extra special because it was also Mother's Day - what a wonderful present for me. It was triply extra special because her Gaffa, Grammy, Aunt Alise and 6 of her cousins were here for the wonderful occasion! What a treat!

Aunt Alise started the day off by doing the girls' hair in ways that I probably will never do. They all looked adorable. Then we went to Church and enjoyed our meetings. In Sharing Time, the Primary children sang to Marissa because it was her birthday so that was fun. After Church we got ready for the baptism. She asked her Gaffa to perform the ordinance so that was special. We had a large enough group of people stay that we had to meet in the chapel. She asked her Dad to perform the confirmation. Grammy gave a talk about baptism and Aunt Alise gave a talk on the Holy Ghost. Marissa chose to play the closing song! She just played the right hand but I was very proud of her for having the courage to do it in front of so many people. It was a wonderful event.

This is what she looked like before the baptism.


Here she is with her Gaffa (my Dad) before they entered the font.

This was after she was baptized. Aunt Alise got her the shirt. The skirt is from one of her cousins and it was a joint effort to make it a bit shorter so it would fit Marissa. She loved it!

Here are all the cousins (minus the two sleeping babies). That had such a great time together!

We got home with plenty of time to get dinner ready. (We made most of it the day before just in case.) After eating the yummy dinner, we got ready to have Grandma and Grandpa Nichols and Brother and Sister Teenier come over for cake and presents. It was the largest group of people in our house at one time, ever. Grandpa Nichols made the cake again, and really did a great job with the ballerina that Marissa asked for. She placed the candles and did a great job blowing them out one by one!

She enjoyed the gifts, of course. Some of the things she received: knee pads, elbow pads, gloves for protecting her when she roller skates in the driveway; Nancy Drew books; a "How to" book on drawing to help her improve her drawing skills that she is already working on; a microscope so we can look at lots of things in detail; 2 Traffic Jam games; The Work and the Glory vol 2 book (that we love reading together as a family); some other things that I'm sure she'd tell you about if you could ask her. It's all good stuff from people who love her so very much!


Grandma and Grandpa Nichols gave her some special money (4 - $2 bills to equal her age) and everyone was impressed. They were very crisp bills. What fun!

Two Traffic Jam games from the cousins (Aunt Alise) so two people can race to see who solves it the fastest or two people can just play their own game at the same time. What fun.



Girl jewelry from Grandma and Grandpa Nichols. They really spoil our kids! I guess that's what grandparents are for! We are certainly blessed to have several sets!

Everyone enjoyed the yummy cake and ice cream!

Domonique enjoyed baby treats that Aunt Alise brought - flavored styrofoam.


It was a nice visit and I'm so thankful that my family is willing to make the effort to come out and see us during these special occasions. We all had a wonderful time and tried to really enjoy Marissa and all that she does and is and will become!