Annika's Baptism

Annika was baptized on September 7th. The date was up in the air all summer. We wanted Beusie and Grandpa to be home from their mission for it. But we wanted to stick with the Stake baptism date. The stake date ended up being 9/7, a few days after Beusie and Grandpa returned. Sadly, Beusie came down with stomach flu that morning. She was going to accompany Annika, Brooklyn, Brynlee and Esther while they sang Choose Him Again. We were disappointed. But Annie Walker already knew the song and it worked out fine. The girls did so well and it made me so proud to listen to them singing such a meaningful song.
Annika wore the dress that my mom sewed for my baptism 23 years ago. It was bittersweet to see her in the dress. When she tried it on, Annika said "It fits perfectly. It's like Gram Pam measured me when she made this." So sweet. It really is a beautiful and timeless dress. We went to the temple the beginning of August and took pictures of Annika in the dress. And Zack took more pictures in our backyard. Cynthia Gentry designed a baptism invitation.
We arrived at the church plenty early and went to get jumpsuits. There weren't any that were close to David's size and none in Annika's size. She ended up wearing a 70s style suit that was about 2 sizes too small. But it worked and she didn't complain.
Delia Villareal gave the talk on baptism. She asked the four children been baptized to come to the front. As they walked up to the front, I noticed the other little girl, Dayna Flores, was wearing a dress. It looked just like Annika's that I had left hanging in the changing stall. And I quickly realized IT WAS Annika's dress! haha So after a second of panic, I walked back to Dayna's mom and told her. She felt awful. She said they couldn't find a jumpsuit in Dayna's size and they saw the dress hanging up so thought it was available for a baptism outfit. It was pretty funny. So Annika was the first one to be baptized. Dayna and her mom rushed back to the changing stall and just as dripping Annika was walking back to change, Dayna came out in a rolled up jumpsuit. :) The timing was fine.
It was surreal to watch Annika being baptized. Those moments in the water passed so quickly. And just like that, Annika is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She is such a pure little girl. I love her to pieces and I'm so grateful that she is ours forever. She is great example of patience and kindness.
There were a lot of friends and family there. Heather and Nathan were out of town. But Colson brought all of the kids but Hayley. Grandpa Beus, Papi, Keenan, Lindsey and Jasmine, Abby, Shaun, and Luke, Blake and Julie Stock, Dena Ashton, Annie Walker and kids, Candice Walker and kids, Brandy and Amber Stutz, Donna Ruttan, Kelsey Roylance and kids, Rose and Will Von Bracht and kids. We went to Time Out Pizza after with family, Dena, and Von Brachts. That was a great idea by me! I didn't have to cook or host at our house. :) Colson and kids came over after and we went swimming for a bit. It was our last swimming day of the season.
All in all, it was a beautiful day!

we took the family to the temple grounds to take pictures in her baptism dress

Uncle Zack took some beautiful pictures in our backyard

Brooklyn and Brynlee and Annika are such good buddies

June

Oregon Coast to do list! :)

We went back to Rockaway and stayed at Blake and Julie's beach house with all of our Pass family!

Keenan let the kids bury him!

beach photography by Zack

so fun for the kids to spend lots of time with Luke and Nora

To celebrate my birthday, I went for a hike up by mission ridge with my dad. It was gorgeous! We went out to eat at a sushi place afterward. Unique and yummy place!

 

Annika and her friend, Sophie Lawson, playing at the Sperl's

cousin hugs with Brooklyn and Brynlee!

this boy loves blueberries! I buy the big bags of frozen blueberries at costco and he has some almost every day:)

Papi got her this outfit, from Fiji, I think

booster car seat is a perfect height for Tyson in the yard :)

last day of preschool with his teacher!

Annika wanted to do an end of the year carnival. We invited a few families over and played back yard games and had face painting by Brandy Stutz :)

Dena came to check out our party :)

haha I kept one binky from each of the kids. I thought they'd be fun to make into Christmas ornaments. They're still in my top drawer and the kid wanted to try them out again. :)

I got this old dresser for free, sanded, painted, and got new knobs. I love how it turned out! and now Tyson can't reach the TV, at least for a few more months!

preschool picture :)

Benson found my dress laying out on my bed and had this idea! so funny!

fun activity day at the library!

riding power wheels for the first time! We went to Charity Miller's to play for the morning.

Annika invited Ann Sperl and Donna Ruttan over for a tea party :)

butterfly decorations for the tea party

I told Donna we wanted to pull a bush out. She mentioned it to Don, who doesn't great health. And not too long after, Donna called and said Don was on his way over with his tractor. Such a kind thing to do for us!