Bailee's Baptism

People wait for years to be baptized. Others until we are baptized for them. Our sweet little Bailee had to wait 4 very long months after turning 8 to be baptized. Torture for her, but it was great to see just how badly she wanted it and how much it meant to her. Finally, on October 9TH 2010, Bailee was baptized and confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Her dad baptized and confirmed her, grandpa Argyle and uncle John were witnesses, and several family members and friends were there to support her and to celebrate.

The whole baptism process is quite fun for mom and daughter. I seriously LOVE having a daughter! It was torture for me to force myself to not look at baptism dresses until spring. I knew if I looked any earlier I would buy something then change my mind depending on the new styles that came out for the summer. Good call. Sure, I was devastated when I couldn't get the dress I wanted for her in Spain. Sniff Sniff. But I found the next best thing. I wanted something unique but elegant for her, but I also wanted it to be her choice (with my approval of course.) We narrowed it down to 2 dresses, Bailee finally made up her mind, then I ordered it just in time to get it for her birthday. We chose an ivory dress which I was crazy about. It was beautiful! When I got the dress I was discouraged with the width because I knew it would be way too wide for her tiny waist. And it came with this top piece that would've seriously fit me...and it had the biggest sleeves EVER! Thank goodness I have a sister who is a genius seamstress! Mari took in the dress on both sides, took off the ugly bow in the back, and literally created a new top piece. Perfection. The next challenge was finding an ivory hairpiece. I went from store to store finding some random items in the perfect color and made a hairpiece that looked amazing. The shoes were a challenge. Silver didn't look good, I didn't like the ivory shoes I found, and luckily, probably a day or two before the baptism, I found some pewter Mary Jane's. This may all seem a little extreme to some, but I wanted her to feel like the most beautiful girl in the world, inside and out, and shopping is just so much fun together...it's always nice to have an excuse.

When Bailee was younger she always told me she didn't want to get baptized because she didn't want to be put under water. Over time she changed her mind and didn't want to step out of the water once she was in it. Her first comment after she was baptized. "I want to do it again!" One of her best friends, Gracey Johansen, was baptized the same day which the girls were pretty excited about. After spending forever combing out Bailee's long wet hair and changing her into her dress, she received the Holy Ghost. While waiting for Bailee and Gracey to change, all the friends and family wrote notes to the girls. A favorite moment for me was seeing my grandpa there. I remember my grandpa Garretson being there at my baptism and having him there for Bailee's meant so much to me. My grandma had the flu and couldn't make it, but my grandpa was a trooper and came without her. There's only a handful of times my grandpa's ever gone anywhere without my grandma, but I'm so glad he did that day.

After the baptism we took some pictures, ran home and changed, then met up with everyone at Golden Corral for lunch.

I am so blessed to have a husband who is a worthy priesthood holder. It makes me love him even more when I am reminded that he is worthy to use the powers of the priesthood for our family. I'm so blessed to have a beautiful, compassionate, amazing daughter like Bailee. She really could've worn any dress and been the most beautiful girl in the world, inside and out. It was important to me that Bailee made the decision on her own to be baptized, and we are such proud parents seeing that Bailee has made such a mature and good choice. I'm so blessed to have a son who loves his sister more than anything in the world and keeps me smiling all day. I'm so blessed to have the gospel in my life and I truly believe we can be together forever if we are worthy. Nothing means more to me than that.

Daughter of God. So beautiful!

Best buds.

Our family.

Bailee and her cuz, Halle.

In all white, waiting with her daddy.

Proud brother.

Bailee and her uncle John at Golden Corral.

Congratulations, princess Bailee. We're so proud of you for all the good decisions you've made, and we look forward to the experiences we get to share together for eternity. Love you forever!

Field Trip

Trey went on his FIRST field trip to the pumpkin patch with all the preschoolers. The weather was perfect and I know most the moms so it was fun for all of us too. Kinda like a field trip for moms and kids. Love love lovin fall! If only winter wasn't coming!

School Starts!

I'm so blessed to have kids that LOVE school. No fits in the morning, just first day jitters. I'm enjoying that as long as possible..who knows how quickly it will change. Bailee started 3rd grade this year. 3rd grade is the year that I started liking boys instead of Barbies. Damon and I are crossing our fingers that Barbies trump boys this year for Bailee. So far, so good.

School picture 2010-2011.

Trey started preschool this year! EVERY SINGLE DAY during summer break Trey asked if summer was over so school would start. No first day jitters here. I registered him for a preschool a long time in advance and just before school started I heard all these nightmare stories from parents who sent their kids there. I pulled him out and began the unsuccessful task of finding a good preschool that wasn't full and would keep up with my fast-paced learning boy. A good friend of mine has a preschool and of course it was full a year before. I called her and asked if she knew of any other teachers I hadn't tried. She told me a student had just dropped out and she would ignore her very long waiting list and give Trey the spot because of how much she loves our family. Her kindness was such an answer to my prayers! Not only that, but her preschool is so good and I knew Trey wouldn't be bored but just keep learning. Yay! So, thanks Jessica! I wouldn't want Trey anywhere else.

A friend of mine does the photography for the preschoolers class pictures. Here's a few of my favorites.

OK, maybe I should have had a hard time with the fact my baby would be starting school for the first time and I would be all alone for a brief period of time 3 days of week. Um...NO! I get to do my errands, at least my ones close by, ALONE! Hooray for school!!!!!

Other Random Summer Adventures

As always, summer is a crazy busy wonderful time. Tons of yard work and tons of play. We started summer vacation off with the dance festival at Bailee's school.

Trey entertaining some 2ND graders while waiting for the dancing to start.

Before helping out with the rest of the activities during the day, Trey and I were able to have lunch with Bailee and some friends.

Next random summer adventure. Trey of course knows not to walk, crawl, climb on the counter tops. One morning as Damon was leaving for work, Trey did just that. Damon had just put eye drops in his eyes and was blinking as he walked past the kitchen counter towards the garage. Trey jumped forward to give Damon a hug and Damon didn't see him. I lunged forward and caught Trey by his feet. Saved his fall, sure, but he hit his face on the counter. One of his front teeth got pushed backwards and the tooth next to it got pushed up into his gums. The tooth died and eventually made its way back down, but it was pretty traumatic for the little guy. Damon and I felt terrible! There was blood everywhere and his little face swelled up. He didn't look like himself for a few days. One good thing out of the trauma though...every time he starts to climb on the counter...

"Trey, what happened last time you climbed on the counter?"

He quickly climbs down.

"My tooth got pushed up."

Lehi celebrates Lehi Roundup Days for one week each June. We try to participate as much as possible. I took my sisters kids to one of the parades after a yummy picnic.

Our ward float.

For the final Lehi parade Bailee road in the parade with her dance company. Just look for the prettiest girl.

Who knows...

The kids watching the Steel Days parade in American Fork with the cousins.

All winter long I miss yard work so bad. Of course there are exceptions, but for the most part I love it. Damon and Bailee stepped outside to grab some peas from our vegetable garden for dinner and I thought I would snap a shot from the window.

Letting my kids use my tub after a long day of play.

We spent a day at Lagoon and it was quite hot. Which I love, but Damon not so much. We brought our very old stroller thinking Trey would ride in it. He didn't, but thank goodness we brought it so Damon could buckle in his other baby named Mountain Dew.

For the 24TH of July we got together with friends and played in the water, pulled taffy, (which was super yummy) had a BBQ, and spent way too much money on a firework show.

We thought we better get in some time at Trafalga before fall crept up on us. We rode some rides, played some miniature golf, and watched Bailee turn into a monkey on the rock wall.

I remember playing in the warm rain as a kid. We had alot of August rain this year and as long as there was no lightening the kids enjoyed splashing around. So fun!

No words can express just how much I dread the end of summer. Seriously, every day I wake up in the summer I'm grateful it's not winter. However, for Damon the end of summer vacation only means one thing. Football season. His birthday is the 2ND of September so the kids and I went shopping for all his favorite football treats to last throughout the season. Then we got him football p.j.'s, slippers, mugs, and the works. Oh yeah, he turned 33. Old man!

Damon getting sung to at Tucanos.

Till next summer!