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!
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| we took the family to the temple grounds to take pictures in her baptism dress |
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| Uncle Zack took some beautiful pictures in our backyard |
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| Brooklyn and Brynlee and Annika are such good buddies |
