A White Christmas

This year Katie got the best present ever, hands down, with her very own white Christmas.   She turned eight this year and decided that she wanted to be baptized on Christmas day.  Being the cheerful, friendly little girl she is, she had mom make lots of invitations and passed them out on Sunday as she did her hug-and-handshake rounds before and after Sacrament meeting.  Because it was Christmas, mom decided that we would bring Christmas dinner with us to the church and anybody who didn't have plans could share it with us.  

On Tuesday we went to the church early to set up chairs and fill the baptismal font.  Folks started coming in.  Before we knew it, the chairs had filled and Spencer began bringing more in.  Eventually we started.  Emily played the piano, Hannah and Mom gave the talks, and Jessica and Spencer said the prayers.  Katie was so excited she could hardly sit still.  It was a very sacred, happy occasion.

Afterwards, Dad surprised everyone- including the Truman family- by having us serenade the group with a hearty rendition of "We Wish You A Merry Christmas".  Then everyone got together for a group picture.  The head count in the photograph is 56- the largest baptism we have ever seen and witness to the incredible friendliness Katie has towards everyone who crosses her path (and those who don't cross her path she goes looking for).  

Those that could were invited to stay and share a Christmas feast.  Everyone had brought a casserole or dessert.  Once everyone had eaten the adults sat around to talk and the kids played in the hallways, burning off the sugar overload and enjoying quality time with primary friends.  

It was a great time for all that could come and the best Christmas we could ever have.  

Don't worry- this was taken before the baptism, not during.

Everyone loves going into the church's attic.  

Blowing bubbles provided the perfect activity to keep the boys busy while we set up.

The girls tried to do a photo shoot.  Katie was too excited to sit still.

This is the best family picture we got- in all the others David is a blur.