Baptism!

I admit it, I am absolutely the world's worst mother/photographer. Last year, Angelina was baptised. We were asked not to publish any photos or blog about it at that time, but I think we are in the clear now. Anyway, I forgot the camera, so every fuzzy picture we have of her baptism was taken off of my cell phone. They aren't good, but at least it is memories. This past year I got a Nokia and VOWED that the same thing would NOT happen for any of my other children's baptisms. I had my nokia with me, but I was so busy setting up and trying to figure out where to be (they only allowed us in the building 30 minutes beforehand) that once again, photos were taken at the very last minute. When I say last minute...I mean right before she went in the water with spectators all around! And the poor person pushing the button didn't know they were supposed to allow it a second to autoadjust...so once again...we have only a few fuzzy pictures!!! GRRRRRR! All my fault!

Of note, the important thing isn't the pictures (I WILL keep saying that over and over again!) but rather the fact that at both baptisms there were tons of people there to show love and support. Where Angelina was baptized they brought refreshments and she was baptised in someone's backyard pool. Nonny was able to attend and Poppie was able to record a talk on Baptism and we were able to watch it during the ceremony. At Madelyn's baptism, she was baptised in a baptismal font in the church building and the dutch tradition was to bring small gifts for her. Poppie was able to attend and give her the Gift of the Holy Ghost and Nonny was able to record a talk on the Holy Ghost and we were able to watch it.

Wonderful memories!

Of note: a few weeks later we were able to attend an 8 year old boys baptism in another ward. The Primary President welcomed him into primary with a bouquet of chocolate bars...Parker declared out loud : "I want to be baptized!" I can't decide if it was because he now thinks he will get candy or if it is because it is the first time he saw a boy and not a girl get baptized. Hopefully, by the time he turns 8 and is old enough to really decide if he wants to be baptized I will get smart enough to actually take some decent photos.

Oh, and the dress the girls are wearing is the dress my Mother made for me to be baptized in. You will notice that at 8, it hits Angelina below the knees quite nicely and that at 8, it hits Madelyn ABOVE the knees. Sigh...it was midcalf on me if I remember correctly. And no, the dress has not shrunk.

The Best

Who is this happy guy? Poppie! or Poppy! We spell it both ways. Why not?

My dad, or the grandchildren's "Poppy" came to visit. He was our first visitor here in the Netherlands. We loved having him here.

He played with us.

Swung us around until our giggles wouldn't come out anymore.

Endured our constant picture taking.

Even wore the same shoe as the kids...at the same time!

Helped us enjoy beautiful nature. And kept us from face-planting in it many times.

Was in charge of the backseat snuggling on our way to dreary Germany.

See? Dreary. (For the record, I'm not sure what gang my 4 year old son belongs to, but he sure is throwing those signs like a proud member! PRE-K 2 GANG...he better be careful throwing that sign around, the kindergartners might get frisky...although I guess not with Poppy around!)

He took on the Autobahn (AND Rotterdam chauffeuring me around - EVERYWHERE! For which I am extremely grateful!)

Lifted with his knees (A LOT!) so we could get the BEST views...

And even took a bite of the nastiest pretzels on earth!

He showed us how to make the all-you-can-eat grill place worth our money (I think this is an awesome shot of Angelina! Again...I have no idea what is happening here)

Literally ran after the kids when they were bike riding.

Most importantly, was here to give Madelyn the Gift of the Holy Ghost at her Baptism (that is a separate post!)

While my dad was here, he cooked, he cleaned, he helped organize the Baptism, he shared a room with Parker, he adored his grandkids, he played Plants vs. Zombies, he helped convince a 4 year old with a fully bitten through tongue to go back to class, he took me to the temple, he was constantly kind and thoughtful, he posed for pictures and turned his head away a lot, he helped me get new maternity clothes since I had outgrown the first round, he was basically the worlds greatest dad and grandfather! The list - well, it really could go on forever of all the wonderful things he did while he was here with us. It was too short. We are sure are grateful that he made the trip over the great divide (coincidentally that is a BlueBell ice cream flavor The Great Divide...if we were in Texas he would have some for us!). I wish everyone in the world had a dad as wonderful as mine! There would be no evil or contention or pain or suffering...

We love him more than we could ever express!

M(a)Y new years resolution!

I'm going to blog more! Why make resolutions in January? Why not May? I don't mind shaking it up a bit. My May resolution is to blog more frequently. The problem I have is that once I start blogging (a) pics take so long to load up and (b) I write sooooo much and then erase and edit and realize that I can't be so blunt or long winded. So short and less pictures. I think if I can stick to those 2 requirements then I might be able to post more frequently. I have mentally made these goals before, so now I am writing it. Hopefully I will be able to address this issue now.