The next morning was a lazy morning. We all took our time getting ready, the kids just played, and we just sat and visited. Eventually we made it out the door for some girl shopping time and the men headed to the virtual archery range. Us girls had so much fun at Target and Murdoch's, that is about all we have here in Helena.....After our shopping was over and the kids had enough, we went home and made dinner. It was about this time that Mike and Erin showed up and they also brought Lauren. We had a great dinner together and a wonderful dessert of Uncle Chris's cookies, I am pretty sure he made 6 dozen for everyone!
Friday night was a highlight for me because us girls finally had time to do our "Favorite Things" activity. This year was just as wonderful as the past 6 we have had. We all laughed and cried and talked, sometimes all at the same time! There were some great "favorites" this year. Danielle gave us each her favorite cookbook and showed us some of her favorite things in the book to make and she also gave us a bottle of the Torani syrup in coconut flavor to make dirty Dr. Peppers. Aubrey gave us each cool water bottles and a pair of socks. Lauren chose a super cute scarf and wrote each of us a letter that made us all cry. Erin gave us all bubble necklaces. I gave a baking mat and a picture of President Monson. KayLee....well she always goes above and beyond....she gave a coat, purse, jewelry, ice cream scoop, chap stick, lotion, and more that I know I am forgetting at this moment. After all was said and done us girls stayed up late chatting, doing nails, and taking horrible pictures of ourselves that caused me to laugh so hard I was crying. I love these women and I am so grateful for their presence in my life, they inspire me and are great examples to me, I am just so lucky to have them as my sisters and KayLee as my mother-in-law.
Saturday morning my family had family pictures so we went and did that and left everyone home to get ready. Pictures went well, Marin had a few moments, but I feel like we got the job done and I am so excited to see the final product from my friend Janna. We took some pictures on my camera but I know they don't look as great as Janna's will.
When we got home from pictures everyone helped to do a quick pick up and then we headed to McKenzie River Pizza for lunch. We had a great lunch, good food, good company. After eating we came home and started to change and get ready for the baptism.
Our family headed up to the church early to get some pictures of Carlee and get her changed into the cute white suit. She looked so adorable and yet so mature at the same time. She didn't seem nervous at all and I could tell how special she felt each time someone came up to congratulate her. The program began and talks were given about baptism, one talk was about the Holy Ghost given by KayLee. Erin and Lauren played a beautiful musical number while some of the grand kids sang along.
At one point during the program I looked backed behind us because we were sitting in the front row, and I was overcome with emotion. We had so many people there to support Carlee on her special day, it just meant so much. Each of Andy's siblings were there, his parents, Aunt Chris and Uncle Glen came from Bozeman, my parents, so many of our friends from Helena were there, it was just so wonderful. I will say this over and over, but it is because it's true.....Andy and I are so blessed with the people in our lives, they are great to us.
The baptism itself was great. Carlee just walked right into the font and was ready. Seeing my little "stinker" standing there with a big smile on her face brought tears to my eyes. The feeling of the spirit was so strong and peaceful, I was so happy that Carlee was so happy. I was so proud of her for choosing to be baptized. After the actual baptism was performed it was just her and I in the bathroom getting her back into her dress. She kept talking about how warm the water was and that it felt good.
After many pictures and hugs we headed back to our house for food and fun. It was so nice to sit and visit with everyone and to just relax. Carlee was having a great time with her friends and her cousins. I would watch her walk around the house and I knew she felt special and that she was happy, and that is all that mattered to me.
Again, I am just so overwhelmed by the love and support we had from family and friends over the weekend. I so appreciate the effort of everyone to show Carlee they loved her and were proud of her, it just means the world to all of us and we couldn't have asked for a better weekend for Carlee.
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