Behind the Scenes and After Party

As we set up for Trista's baptism, the other girls found ways to keep themselves amused.  

We let Aria and Maya into the nursery across the hall and the party began. Turns out that while we were distracted, Aria kept sneaking back and forth between the nursery and Primary room during the baptism.

Bella helped set the mood with a little Primary music prelude.

Ava took up a position behind the podium and delivered a very long and rambling speech. At some point she found this stick labeled "truth" on one end and "consequence" on the other. It helped her add emphasis to her words:) Of course, the speech concluded before the baptism began. 

After the baptism we went downtown for some seafood at a little restaurant on the water. 

 We enjoyed passing Baby Delaney around for some snuggle time while we waited for our food. Kassy was enjoying her turn. 

Sydney and Trista with bunny ears courtesy of Dad.

Here's half of our table: Papa, Grandma, Gramps, J.T., Maya, Sydney, Trista, Kassy, and Delaney.

And the other half: Bella, Tanner, Keaton, Michelle, Nana, and Papa again.

Trista's Baptism

 As my girls grow, their first eight years seem to go by faster and faster. On February 14, Trista turned eight. Eight years old: the age of accountability and the time when we baptize our children. It's always so moving and brings with it enormous gratitude for the trust that God has placed in me; the trust that I will teach and lead His little ones back to Him. 

As I stood alongside the font, watching Trista enter those waters to be baptized by her father, I was overcome with a familiar feeling I have felt twice before as I watched Kassy and Bella do the same. It was a combination of gratitude, warmth, love, pride in my daughter, a sense of accomplishment at seeing the testimony she is developing on her own. I felt a special closeness to my Father in Heaven, a real bond, and a testament that I truly am in a partnership with Him as I nurture the sweet spirits He has entrusted me with. On the day of her baptism, I felt a love that I knew a loving Heavenly Father was sharing with me at that moment. 

Trista was baptized and confirmed in Pensacola on March 17 by J.T. She was baptized in the same building and font as I was at 8 years old and as my mother was at 14 years old. My Uncle Jim conducted the meeting. 

                                                                                                                                                                                      

We were so happy that the Holtons made the trip down from Atlanta to be there with us. Michelle played the piano for us. Trista was thrilled to have her best friend from babyhood, Sydney, there for her special day.

 Gramps and Papa gave the talks on baptism and the Holy Ghost while Grandma and Nana gave the opening and closing prayers. 

We were all uplifted that day. Testimonies of our Savior were shared by our loved ones in attendance and the spirit was so strong. I'm so thankful for everyone that made the day so special for Trista.

Soccer Saturday #1

Trista's first soccer game was scheduled for Saturday before last but was canceled due to rain. She was really excited for this Saturday's game. Due to a scheduling mix up, the other team was a no show. Our girls weren't disappointed, though, because Coach divided the girls and let them play against each other.

 We forgot our chairs at home, so Maya took advantage of whoever was willing to hold her. 

 Trista's throw-in.

 Contact with the ball!

 During the second half, Trista got to play goalie. 

In the end, it didn't matter that there wasn't an opposing team to play. The girls had fun, got in a good practice game, and my girl left the fields giddy. 

Chillin' with Bella

Saturday night was Bella's turn for a mom/daughter outing. We shopped a little for me, a little for her, and of course capped off the night with her first visit to Chill. It was fun chatting and letting Bella have control of the conversations without any interruptions. 

It was a night of new flavors to try. Among those we tried: Easter Candy (which was actually the flavor of Robin Eggs), Thin Mint Cookie, Cookie Cake, Cotton Candy, Orange Sorbet, and Raspberry Truffle. I better watch out. I have 3 more girls requesting a one on one trip to Chill with their dear mother. I seriously better consider drastically reducing my portion sizes before I have a drastic weight gain. J.T. encouraged me to take on this round of parent/daughter dates due to a 10 pound weight gain last time he did it. I really get it now. Next time we'll be encouraging activities that don't involve food.

Fabulous Friday Afternoon

After the Thursday night excitement of finding the Mockinjay pin, Kassy had to wear it to co-op Friday morning. I was a little startled as I unloaded the car to hear a scream coming from the other side. As my head darted around to it's source, I discovered that it wasn't necessarily so much a scream as it was a squeal of delight from another teen Hunger Games lover. The site of the Mockingjay just does that to them I guess. It also inspired Kassy and a few friends to gather 'round our kitchen table that afternoon to make Hunger Games t-shirts for the upcoming movie premier. 

With the table occupied, the little girls dined on a fine meal of cereal in the kitchen. Yes, some nights, I'm just that lazy. Especially on nights when J.T. is on call at the hospital, as was the case Friday. But, as my dear husband says, "Hey, it's fortified!"

 Kassy's finished t-shirt. She's considering adding a little text to the back: I survived the arena and all I got was this dumb shirt. 

As t-shirts were being painted Bella and a friend were busy making gluten free cake balls. Bells has become quite the little baker with big aspirations of owning her own nut-free bakery one day. (She's my poor girl with the nut allergies.)

 The baker herself. 

Dessert is up!

Flat Rock

We've been studying rocks this week in science, so Thursday after school we headed around the corner to a beautiful park with no shortage of amazing rocks to study and collect.

We started out by exploring a little and adding to the bucket we had brought along to hold our new collection. We found rocks, stared at rocks, climbed rocks, and eventually did a little slipping and sliding on rocks.

Kassy and Bella getting a good view of the park.

Kassy, Bella, and Ari enjoyed a little swinging time by the stream. 

The stream flows over a bed of flat smooth rocks as it enters the park. Occasionally, the current would catch the girls and slide them downstream a few feet. No worries, though, the deepest point is maybe six inches. 

The water was FREEZING, but that didn't stop these little girls who love to get wet.  It was just a matter of time before they adjusted.

Ari slipped and Trista was her anchor. After a little laugh, though, Trista was done and just wanted her sister off. Obviously, Aria wasn't giving up. Me, being the nice, camera wielding mother that I am, made sure I got the shot before insisting that Aria move.   

Maya stripped all on her own and quite enjoyed her return to nature. Literally. I gave up trying. I put the clothes on, she took them off faster than lightning the second my head turned. 

Kassy got a great picture of the park.

Our friends, Jenn, Lily, and Maddie, joined us for a little splashing. I decided to go and move the car a little closer to where we were playing. Kassy snapped me in the distance, with Maya strapped to my back, as I stooped to pick up a rock. 

Another Kassy pic.

Maddie, Lily, and Ari. Our little BFFs. 

These boots go with everything, whether I want them to or not. Aria wears them to church, the park, with dresses, jeans, shorts, skirts, and bathing suits. It's going to be a sad day when they break or she outgrows them.