Emma was baptized and confirmed by her dad, Steve.
Dallin needed a diaper change right before we started, so he missed the first family picture...he also created enough havoc that I realized later that we don't have a grand family picture with Grandma and Grandpa Dallin, Grandma Hunting, and Michael! They also came to Emma's baptism from Utah, Chicago, and Boston. Thanks for making the trip for the occasion, it made it truly special!!
Emma was also so fortunate to have her first and second grade teachers come to her baptism. It was so wonderful of them to take the time to come support Emma, it meant the world to her!! We also had great friends and neighbors attend, many who do not share our religion, so it was so special to have our New Hampshire family there! We wish that all of our family could have been there but know that the trip would have been a bit too much for many!
Here's Emma with her teachers and great friend, Ethan.
After the baptism we had some refreshments at our house with our friends and celebrated the day!
Grandpa Dallin presented Emma with a Dallin traditional Baptism gift from a Grandpa Dallin (I got mine from my Grandpa Dallin): a minted coin set purchased the year she was born. I have one that was purchased the year I was born and presented to me for my baptism and now my dad is continuing the tradition. What a fun and unique way to celebrate!
Emma's Grandma Hunting also presented Emma with 2 neat baptism books that she is excited to fill with membories of a wonderful day!
Speaking of wonderful gifts, Emma was overwhlemed with special memorabilia, including beautiful necklaces and bracelets, engraved boxes, a journal, cards, and other thoughtful gifts. She is now working on her thank you cards but wonders how you adequately thank everyone for showing her special love! We are working on putting up a picture of the special items for your enjoyment but Steve took the camera with him to Greece so we will have to add them later!
Anyway, a couple of days after Emma's baptism another special gift arrived. Emma's Great-Grandpa Dallin made her this amazing treasure box, complete with certificate of authenticity (which was her favorite part) telling the story of the box's creation. The box is made of cedar and has a music box. It also came with special mint coins for Emma, Lauren, and Dallin (of course! Grandpa Dallin is the supreme coin collector!). Lauren had to get a special box for her coin to go in, of course!
We also took the opportunity while my parents were here to celebrate my Dad's birthday. Lauren helped me make some delicious Amish Ginger cookies for him as well as other trinkets for gifts. Then everyone piled on for a fun picture.
Before Grandma and Grandpa Dallin flew out of Boston, we stopped at Newick's, a fun local seafood restaurant. Then we dashed up to York beach to drive along the coast before heading down to the airport. All in all, we crammed a ton of fun into a very short time before they left.
Emma bravely held a Lobster at Newick's!
Before Grandma Hunting headed home on Saturday, we had a nice snowstorm that layered about 10 inches of wet snow on the ground. JoAnn and I shoveled the driveway and our wonderful neighbor snowblowed where the plow had buried us in. Soon we should have our newly acquired snowblower up and running so we don't have to do any more heavy lifting!! Still, the kids had a grand time playing outside and, of course, chowed down on hot chocolate and apple crisp inside. We had a great time baking, shopping, and relaxing before Grandma had to go home!
And just when we thought that it would be time to relax......back to work, shipping packages, cleaning house, and all of the other life responsibilities seem to be piling on with no mercy! Oh well, 'Tis the Season, I guess!
