Bennett's Baptism

Bennett was Baptised last weekend at Gigi and Grumpa's church. This is also the church where Caga and I were Baptised. Mr B was a little older than we hoped, but we were finally able to put a weekend together where almost everyone could be there. Sorry Miriam!

Poor Bennett only slept about 20 minutes in the car over to Eden. He was in a good mood though, and spent most of the service playing in the nursery. All of our family and the Evans' Baptism gowns were too little as we were all Baptised as infants and B is much bigger. Thankfully I found a NEW Strasbourg outfit for him at ETC. Unfortunately, he sat in spilled chocolate milk in the nursery. When I came in to get him just before the Baptism, they were trying to clean him to no avail. It wasn't a huge deal, but I think most people think he pooped:) I tried to keep his back to the altar so no one was staring! He was a champ. He let the Priest take him from me and pour the water on him with no crying. He just laid back and enjoyed the day. The Priest did a wonderful job. It was only the 2nd service I have been to in the last year, so I enjoyed a worship service:)

As there is no photography in an Episcopal worship service, all pictures are after the end.

Here is Mr B with Pops enjoying the bulletin

Robert, Mamie, Pops, and us.

The Godparents (Caga, minus Miriam, Margaret, and Bruce) and our crew. Look behind the Baptismal font for Joiner.

The Dineen's, Margaret, Bruce, and us.

Margaret and Bruce with B

Bruce is looking but Bennett turned

The Godparents minus Miriam (she was in a wedding)

Caga and Bennett

Mom and Dad hosted a wonderful luncheon with Grumpa's famous smoked pulled pork and lots of fixin's. Mrs. Leah, Ellison, Mrs. Lissa, and Tina all came from town. Along with lots of friends from Eden, it was a great afternoon.

Robert wanted to taste my carrot cake so I that with the cross.

Ms. Lissa made this beautiful arrangement for the day.

The girls and their buddies, Ellison and Tina

Mrs. Leah and Ellison

Bennett is always surrounded by women.

Robert with Mr B. It looks like he is screaming, but he is making this funny face for Mamie's camera. Her camera has this bright red-eye light and this is the best he could do. So funny.

Bruce and Andy going over plans for the desk for his new office. This is going to be the sweetest piece of furniture we own and it won't even be at home:) Maybe someday I can get Bruce to make me a dining room table!

B going for the little red chair at Gigi's

We found him under the dining room table. He was having a ball.

Pulling up (his favorite trick) on someone

Joiner in her new dress

The lunch ended and Mr B went to bed. He was such a trooper. He crashed in the pack and play in Gigi and Grumpa's room. I woke him up after 3 hours to get back in the car to go home. That was the only time he was really unhappy. He really didn't want to be in the car again. Thankfully Tina was riding home with us so she played with him.

The girls love to go to Gigi and Grumpa's house. There are all these "new" toys. By far, the favorite is the Barbie convertible. Their neighbors gave it to them when their daughter outgrew it and they literally run the battery down each day.

Here are Carly and Ellison on a trip.

Joiner and Carly off-roading

Coming back around

Ellison had to go home soon afterwards. Natalie next door came over to play with the girls and Tina in the little pool and sprinkler. I think it is safe to say that everyone (especially Gigi) slept well that night!

God Bless you, Bennett!

Uh Oh!

It is funny how much your life changes when babies start to move around. Bennett is such a sweetie, but he is everywhere! I am still not sure about how fast he crawls. I will leave him alone and then he is right behind me. He is investigating everything! I try to keep the house clean, but now it is crazy. I feel the need to vaccum and sweep all the time. This week has been hard to keep everything clean and the girls aren't exactly helpful with all their little toys!

Yesterday I brought diapers up to fold while I was playing with all 3. I walked away to get my water and when I came back Bennett had completely flipped the bucket and was in the process of throwing all the diapers and liners around.

I know this is gross because they are diapers, but they were clean, and I took it from him immediately after the picture.

"Who's a stinker?"

Looking for more things to destroy

Back for more

After I folded the diapers and he could no longer play, he climbed up on the hearth and was clapping with Carly.

"Yeah!" She is such a sweet sister with him!

Preschool Graduation

The girls had their preschool graduation last Thursday. It was a big deal and they had been practicing for weeks and non-stop the last week. We had a CD of the songs to practice and I have them deeply imprinted on my brain. I find myself singing them to B while I am feeding him.

I have no idea how they are old enough to graduate from preschool, but it happened despite my confusion. They were so excited. They asked me to braid their hair the night before so it would be "curly."

We got up on Thursday morning and got to have cinnamon rolls (our go-to special breakfast) on the Special Red Plate. I think I am going to have to get another one because the girls' lives converge on so many important dates. It was funny to watch them hover over the plate eating their eggs and cinnamon roll.

Our family took up almost a whole row. Gigi, Grumpa, Margaret, Daddy (yea, able to take a few hours), Caga, and Miriam all came. Poor Pops had eye surgery last week so the GA crew had to miss. Most of these pictures are for them:)

Mr B is usually napping at this point, but he hung pretty well.

Trying to see Gigi

We think Bennett looks so much like dad. As mom said, "Big Babby looking at little Babby."
The graduates all processed into the service. My camera is too slow, so I missed them as they walked by. Here is Joiner going up on stage.

Some are blurry and there are a bunch. Carly is right in front in the middle and Joiner is on the right-hand risers third from the left.

"Yahoo!"

This man right in front of Leah, in front of me, kept holding up his Iphone while I wanted to take pictures. I am sure Stefanie, behind me, felt the same way about me:)

After the songs, they were called up by classes and then individually to get their diplomas.

Here is Carly with her teacher Mrs. Murray. I wasn't quick enough to get one with both of them looking.

Joiner in line with her class

Going onstage. How is my little girl who wouldn't dance at Dance Camp the first year big enough or brave enough to walk up there all on her own? My how time flies!

With her teacher Mrs. Landrum

After diplomas there was a prayer (in Spanish!) one more song, and a sweet poem about growing up. I was a little teary, but not as much as I expected. I did get goose bumps when the Pomp and Circumstance began.

It was an amazing performance. Both Carly and Joiner did so great and I am so proud of them.

We were able to get a picture with our playgroup buddies. I agree with Stefanie that it is crazy how little all these girls were when we met. Does everyone know how to tell them apart now or do we still need the bibs?

We headed out to lunch afterwards to Simply Yummy. With Margaret with the sun in our eyes!

Gigi and Grumpa at our house

Gigi made them these beautiful Tussy Mussies from the book Mamie gave her. Carly took this picture!