A picnic, park and photoshoot with Mimi!

 Yesterday we went to the park.  We had a picnic and a photo shoot and it was great fun!

I love her facial expression and her hands in this picture

I like the pattern of the bars around his handsome face.

The Evans public library has this great amphitheater.  I thought it would be a great photo place, but it was soo hard to get the kids together to take a picture.  They were much more interested in running all over it!

Boys, come here! Come here!

Everyone ran away!

We finally got everyone close but they weren't too happy about it!

Elina's Baptism

Elina was baptized this past Sunday, December 4th.  It was such a special ceremony.  When the boys were baptized, it was a seperate ceremony after the main church service.  We all enjoyed this baptism during the service as it was special to share with the rest of the congregation.

We arrived to church early and got Elina dressed.  She was not in the best mood because she had to get woken up from her morning nap and because she was meeting a bunch of strangers that day.  This little girl still has a case of stranger anxiety and we were so worried she would cry during the service.  Nevertheless, she was great!

Getting my little girl ready! The dress she wore was the same dress I wore when I was baptized.  That meant so much to me.  I think I'm going to put it in a shadow box now because I don't know if it's going to last another generation.

A family picture by the baptismal font.  I really wanted the boys to come up with us during the ceremony, but have you met Brandt?  He was running all over the place so we ended up putting them in nursery.

Her special baptism shoes

My friend, Amanda, came and took some pictures.  She did great!  Thanks again, Amanda!

Here Mom is presenting Elina to be baptized.  It was so special to have my mom there!

Elina started to get antsy so I handed her off!

So precious!

She did so well and didn't cry!

At the end, Elina laughed really loud and got the congregation cracking up. Then she tried to dry off her daddy with her hanky.

Elina was mesmorzied by her baptism candle and wanted to touch it!

I handed it off to Mom and Elina tried to get it again!

Elina thought Pastor Dave's scruffy beard was intriguing

She did it!

Yaay!

Mimi Visits!!

Wait...what?  a post?  Say it ain't so!  Yeah, I know, I'm a bit behind in the posting.  I still blame the broken laptop. Eric has been trying to find out if his education stipend can be used for a new one, but it seems like that will be a no go. Darn it.  Oh well!  At least we still have the desktop that still works!  On to more fun things....

Mimi came to visit!!!  It was so much fun.  The kids loooooove them some Mimi. My mom arrived last Thursday.  Her main reason for her visit was Elina's baptism.  That happened at church on Sunday and was just beautiful!  It was incredibly special.  I may or may not have shed a few tears :).

Mimi's visit was filled with hugs and kisses, cooking, eating, watching movies, playing, cleaning (sorry mom!) and even a quick trip to Costco. Have I mentioned that Costco opened up last month?  That is the highlight of necessary shopping. I love those double carts and free samples!

My mom brought her camera with her.  I love it.  I covet it.  It has made me realize I should just toss my lens into the garbage because it is crap.  I've known this for awhile, but using hers confirmed it.  I've been looking at lenses and I think this one might be a good one. If anyone else has a recommendation for a good, CHEAP lens, let me know! I just want one that will shoot mainly portraits in low light and that has decent aperature.

Isn't he so handsome?!

Caught in the act!  Brandt was ripping off is advent chain.

Mimi and Brandt

My favorite, little girl foot!

I love this picture

Kisses from Mimi!

Mimi got Elina a cute dress that was going to be her wardrobe change after her baptism.  We had her try it on and had the boys try on their Christmas outfits and do a photo shoot. Everyone had a great time.  Ha ha! Brandt was mad and Carter was picking his nose

In this pic, Carter has a lightbulb in his mouth!

Everyone is in the pic!  Yay!

This one would have been so cute, but Carter was mad about his socks. 

We celebrate Christmas and Elina LOVED the doll she got from Mimi and Papa.  Please excuse my appearance.  I wouldn't have posted this pic, but Elina is just darling. I promptly took a shower after this!

Mimi showing Elina how to take care of her baby

Brandt confiscated Elina's toy (as usual) and took the doll for a stroll.

These pictures are so precious.  The boys loved their airplanes that Papa picked out for him.  Someone tell these poor boys' mother to get some clothes on them that fit!  Yikes!  In my defense, I didn't pick out their pajamas that night :)

The boys dog fighting.  Too bad their Papa wasn't here to show them how it's really done.

We love you and miss you, Mimi (Mom)!  Can't wait to see you again!