Elle's Baptism! 8 is Great!

And December is rolling along.  

So Elle's Birthday was on December 1st, and she turned 8! 

The girls and I got to eat lunch with Elle at school for her Birthday.  I picked up some Subway Sandwiches, and took them to school.

She also got to take something for Show and Share in her class room.  

She chose to take the guitar she got for her Birthday.  

The class was really excited about it, and asked her a lot of questions.  

I could tell, that she felt pretty important and happy to share.

On December 12th, Elle was Baptized a Member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints!

It was also Chris' Birthday!

What a special Birthday for Chris to be able to baptize Elle on his Birthday.

Logan Boyds, wedding was also the same day.

Our group was a bit smaller, because some of the family was at the wedding, but it was a very special Day for Elle.  She was extremely nervous!  She was worried about everyone watching her.  

At some points, I wasn't sure if she'd make it through.  

When we went into the chapel, she wouldn't sit on the front row with Chris, unless I was sitting beside her also.  I'm glad she loves me so much!

Through out the meeting, she was breathing crazy, and I could tell she was so nervous.

We held hands for a little while.

But then a little friend, a boy, from her school class was called up, and they read his spotlight, and he was smiling, and happy, and Elle calmed down, and was even excited.  

I'm glad she had the great example of a friend that she knew, getting baptized at the same time, so that she could see that there was nothing to worry about!  

Everyone on the stand, our primary leaders, the Bishop, etc... were all so helpful to make sure that Elle felt as comfortable as possible.  They let her go last, so that by the time it was her turn, the only people that were left in the chapel, were our family.  I think this helped a lot. 

I took a couple of pictures at home, before we went to the Stake Center. 

Even though Elle was nervous, I know that she wanted to be baptized.  

We had a really good talk, about a week before, and most of the nerves, were just her being on display.  She is such a sweet girl, and always wants to choose the right, and make Mom and Dad happy.  But also I know she wants her Father in Heaven to be happy with her choices too!

Both of her Grandma's were there!

Grandpa, wanted to be there, but supported Logan at his wedding.

Sometimes, you just have to divide and conquer! :) 

Just on a side note for me... I thought it would be ok, if everyone went to the Wedding.  

I thought Elle would be fine, having a more private day, but looking back, I'm so glad that my Mom knew how important this day was for Elle.  She gave Elle the sweetest while pearl bracelet that Elle wore to her baptism and all night long.  And a while hankie.  

Of course, both grandmas showered Elle with LOVE and a few small gifts, but the most important thing, was that they showed her how much they care about her by being at her baptism and supporting her in the very best way!  I'm so thankful for such amazing women in our lives!

And Thankful for EVERYONE who came to watch Elle take this most important step in her mortal life, so that she can live with Heavenly Father and our family for Eternity!

I'm so glad I've been able to write this post, and reflect on the important things!!  

A few tears have fallen as I have typed this, and I just feel so much love for everyone in our families!

  

The next day, headed to church!  

I can't imagine life without these three beautiful, sweet, girls!

Mom and Dad love you Elle!!!!! 

Happy 8 years old :)  

It's been a while!

I can't believe I haven't done a blog post, all of December or January, and now we are already into February!  I'm not really sure what happened.  

My internet is really slow right now, so loading pictures is a chore.  

But I'm going to do my best to get caught up, and then continue, so that my kids and I can look back on this fun journal, and reminisce someday.

So I guess we'll start with Thanksgiving!

We always celebrate on Thanksgiving day with the Belnap's, and then a couple of days later, on Saturday with the Jorgensen's.  Both Meals were super yummy!  I always eat way more than I should, and enjoy seeing everyone, and having a chance to catch up, and relax.

I condensed the pics, so I wouldn't have to post a whole bunch.  

Chris' family doesn't love pictures a whole lot, so sometimes I just go around taking pictures, and some of them smile, and some are annoyed..he.he.. But I think pictures are important.  

I tried to take a picture of every table, but couldn't quite fit them all into this one collage.  Close enough!  

I can't remember exactly when, but sometime late in November, Bree's Choir concerts for the Christmas season started.  

Cord and Adelle scored some awesome tickets in the lower bowl, to a Jazz game and invited me to go, and I just couldn't pass it up.  It happened to be on the same night as Bree's first concert.  

Thank goodness, Chris is such and awesome Daddy, and took the girls to the concert, while I was at the Jazz game with Cord, Adelle, and my Dad!  

It was a fun night!  

And a collage of Bree's concert!

It looks like the next thing on the agenda, was another of Bree's concerts.  

Her Choir performed about 6 or 7 places this year.

This year, they performed at the Ogden Tree Jubilee for the first time.

And since it was in town, all of her cousins and grandma and grandpa came to see her!

She really felt special, that they would all come to her concert!

We also decorated the house a few days before Thanksgiving this year.

And I love our gas fireplace downstairs!  

So nice, on a chilly winter night!

I gave the girls some matching PJ's the day after Thanksgiving.  

This way, they could wear them the whole season.  I tried not to get them too Christmassy so that they could wear them long after the holidays were over.

On December 1st, Elle turned 8!

Thanksgiving was late this year, so we couldn't plan anything with extended family, because it would have been the same weekend as Thanksgiving. 

So on her Birthday, we took our little family to Station Park.  

Our first stop was Build A Bear Workshop.  The girls each picked out an animal and some clothes.

Then we went over to see the Fountains, watch the Ice Skaters, and to see Santa and play on the playground!

After we saw santa, we went home for some Birthday Cake and Ice Cream, and to open presents.

Happy Birthday my beautiful 8 year old!

Next, was another one of Bree's Choir Concerts.  This time they performed in 

downtown Ogden at the Ogden Village Christmas Lights!

This is one of the high lights of my holiday season every year.  The Ogden Village is a tradition and just can't be missed.  It takes me back to my child hood, and just gives me goose bumps!  

I absolutely LOVE it!!!!!!

It was probably one of the coldest nights ever.  We bought some hot chocolate and tried to keep warm at this outdoor venue.  Some kids wore hats and sweatshirts under their Choir shirts.

And I think I'll end this post with Bree's last concert of the year... even though much more happened in December.  I'll have to do a few more blog posts to get caught up!

They always have the last concert at the school.  For family, grandparents, and whoever wants to come!  We went really early, so that we could get some front row seats for grandma and grandpa Belnap!  The kids did so good.  So proud of Bree for getting up and going to school an hour early twice a week the first half of the school year for practices!  

And so December is moving right along....  More to come!