Baby Blessing and Baptism

Gaffa

Brother Klopf

Brother Smith

Brother Lowry

Brother Westercamp

Bishop Deibel

Dad

 Baptism Girl

All in white!

Sweet little girl!

It was a very nice day. Such a treat to have both the baby blessing and baptism on the same day!

Mock Apple Pie

It truly is a wonder. Who came up with this idea: put Ritz crackers in sugar water and then put them in a pie crust and bake it, and it will taste like apple pie?!?!? My grandfather worked at a bakery for years and came to dinner after my parents were married. My mom made a mock apple pie and my dad was excited to see what his father would say. They watched him take a few bites and then my dad told him it wasn't really apple pie. My grandfather had a really hard time believing until he looked really closely and saw the ridges of the crackers. Wish I could have been there! Anyway, since my mother was here, I wanted her to help me make a pie and it turned out great!

Thanksgiving with family and friends!

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving. We had a laid back day and enjoyed having my parents and the Smiths over for dinner. I didn't take any pictures of the dinner: My mom and I made cornish hens, fruit salad, stuffing and rolls; dad made sweet potatoes; Tamara made turkey and desserts! Tamara made some great treats: pecan tarts, apple pie, chocolate peanut butter pie and chocolate mint pie!

Ben had fun making a turkey decoration.

The girls made signs and pictures.

Lots of baby loving!

Crocheting lessons.

Some nappimg.

Loom band bracelet making.

Lots of games!

Some reading.

Dessert time!

It was a great day! Hopefully, after the Smiths move, we'll be able to get together and keep it a tradition!

More visitors

My parents arrived to visit for the baby, Thanksgiving, and a baptism.

My boy made a wonderful "Welcome" sign for them:

We enjoyed reading, playing, sitting, crocheting, cooking and sunning. (Naomi is still a bit jaundice so we laid her in the sunshine as often as it would shine.)

Gaffa had helpers to make his almond bark Chex treat.

He makes the sweet potatoes for Thanksgiving dinner the day before.

We went over to our friend's house for dinner and games the day before Thanksgiving.

We had a great time!

Bath time fun!

Really, it's probably not that exciting for the baby. She didn't fuss and cry like I thought she might. It went well enough and now she is clean.... Well, at least she was clean until she spit up.

Before...

Just laying in the water...

All clean!

After...

Snow! Our first snow!

I don't prefer winter and I have a hard time dealing with all that goes along with winter. Fortunately, my children don't have my same issues. In fact, the older girls were more than happy to help the younger girls get all their gear on so that they could all go outside and play in the fresh, falling snow. They had such a good time - although Harmonie came in first and said it was a bad day because her hands were freezing. I did mention to her that it would be better if she would leave her gloves on.

Camdilyn on the "hill" with the sled.

Kemiah with her giant snowball.

Emily and Domonique with their giant snowballs.

Xiomara with her giant snowball.

Harmonie pulling a sled around the yard.

They really enjoyed being outside and playing in the snow. I am glad I took time to take pictures. Maybe next time I will take time to actually play with them.