Brystol's blessing weekend adventures

In the LDS faith, children are blessed-usually when they are babies-and given a name to be known on the records of the church.  It is a time when family and friends come together to celebrate. 

Family and friends came in from all over.  My parents had timed it to get off a cruise and fly into Vegas for the weekend before heading back to Washington.  Dana and Thomas drove in from Utah and brought all the baby clothes Lucy had outgrown.  Grandpa Clarke and Grandma Margaret came in from Utah.  Dave and Donna Banks came in from Boise.  Lila and her family came.  Ryan was sick unfortunately.  Tiffany and her husband came as well.

It was a small group of friends and family but we had a good time.

It was a long day.  Joel said he was going to lay down for a few minutes... 90 minutes later.

Even Brystol was tired from the events.

Dave and Donna, Dana and Thomas all got to our house Friday evening around the same time.  Lucy, Hailey and Emi all enjoyed playing with the toys, the chalk paint,  and eventually in the bathtub.  We made buttermilk chicken by Joel's request and everyone enjoyed it.  It was a crowded table but lots of fun.

Saturday evening Dave and Margaret, Dana and Thomas all came over.  We had tacos and enjoyed each others company.  Grandpa was so overjoyed to get to hold Byrstol.  He was more than content to sit and hold her while we finished dinner.  Once she got hungry and started crying, he handed her off, but only once she started asking for food.  Margaret eventually got her turn and enjoyed having another little grand daughter.  She doesn't have any boys on her side of the family, so she spoils the girls on this side.  The girls all got little stuffed animals and Brystol got a cute little dress.  She's been growing like a weed so it's a good thing her dress is a 3-6.

Saturday also had it's own craziness.  Ryan was sick and asked for a few errands run to the grocery store.  Mom and Dad were supposed to be staying with Ryan or a friend but with Ryan sick, plans changed.  We needed to pick them up and they were going to be staying with us... Where? I wasn't quite sure.  We have a nice little house, key word, little.  We made it all work.  Joel took Brystol to the airport so that I could clean up the castle room and bedroom for my parents and the kids.  Grandpa and Margaret were beyond helpful by sitting with the girls and reading to them while I quickly pulled everything together.  We have the one full size bed and then air mattresses.  We have a couple recliner chairs, so I figured my dad could find a place to sleep.

When Brystol got home she was wound up and sleep was not in our future.  It was 1 am before we finally got her to sleep.  Church started at 9 and I still had to put together the meatballs for the luncheon.  6:30 came very early.  But I got most of lunch put together, the kids dressed, and everyone out the door.  We were early for church!

Nana, insisted that I not take her picture.  But I told her part of life is getting ready for the big event.

Emi found Papa's shoes!

It was nice to see everyone sitting together to support our family.  Everyone eyed Brystol and wanted their chance to hold her.  Funny how a little new baby can bring out such longing and awe in people.  Tiffany was there and wanted her turn.  Lila and her family all wanted to see her.  Everyone else had come on other days and had their turn but still couldn't get enough.

The blessing was to happen after ward business but right then Emi said she needed to go potty.  I quickly ran her to the bathroom.  When I got back, Joel was just starting.  I almost missed my own little girl's blessing!  But I made it.

After sacrament we all came back to our house for meatball subs and Hawaiian meatballs over rice.  It was a lot of people to cram into the little space but we made it work.  Everyone had a good time.

We made cupcakes the night before to celebrate Brystol, Lucy and Dana's announcement that she had another little one on the way.  It was a good way to celebrate.

It was a long weekend but full of family and friends.  Sunday evening Joel and I went up to the temple with Brystol to have time to ourselves since we hadn't really seen each other since Thursday.  As fun and busy as the weekend was, we are all looking forward to a quieter upcoming week.