Jillian's Baptism

My little Jillian was baptized December 29, 2012! We were so excited for the holidays to come and for Jillian to be baptized. Most of my family was able to come for this exciting time. My parents and brother Kyle came for Christmas and stayed through New Years! My sister and her family came for the baptism and stayed for New Years! So we had a busy busy holiday season, but we loved every minute of it!

We had her baptism in the afternoon, and had a dinner with a few close friends afterwards. Jillian's favorite food is Panda Express, so we surprised her with a giant Panda Express dinner. Catering is always the way to go...no stress!! She loved it. I assume her idea of heaven is chow mien and orange chicken everywhere! She is a funny girl!

I set up a little table at the church and made her a book of a few pictures and then places for people to write a little message. It turned out cute. That is what the CTR book on the table is. I should have taken pictures of it. It is just a 6x6 photo flip book that I have posted awhile back.

Baby Hallie...trying to get the pink marshmallows!

This is my silly Jillian trying to be funny with her eyes crossed. I hate when kids do that.

And...another silly Jillian picture. I didn't even know she was making faces until I loaded to pictures on the computer.

All the cousies...without baby Hallie.

All the family! We have the same picture here with the same people a year earlier for Hallie's blessing!

Papa and Gramma with their 7 grandkids!

Everyone trying to give Jillian a hug!

Getting ready for the big event!

and silly Sally! She cracks everyone up. She reminds me a little of my Jillian.

Look at the 3 of us!

Jillian looked so adorable and was so sweet! She loved loved loved her dress so much...I did too! And my mom made her the little flower in her hair. There is definitely an advantage to living in a small town with a small LDS community. We can pick whatever day to be baptized and get to plan the program. It's not a generic stake baptism production with people speaking that you don't even know. Uncle Kyle and Gramma gave great talks, and all the cousins sang, and our most awesome sister Missionary, Sister Vander Does who has a beautiful voice sang too! It was perfect! I love my family!

Christmas Eve

My parents and brother Kyle came for Christmas, so we had a big Christmas Eve Party. Our friends came over also, who are like family. And the sister missionaries game for dinner too. We love them! We had a huge dinner and lots of games and some gifts.

Here is our house all ready for Santa to come! Looks like summer huh?

 I love to bake Christmas goodies! It looks so yummy! Mint brownies are my fav.

 We started the evening off with a little Alfie Boe, of course!

We get a real Christmas Tree, even in AZ. We just don't keep it up as long. I love it!!!

Cute girl!

Hallie, watching Bubbas!

 Our cute sister missionaries, Sister Lake and Sister Vander Does!

 We had shrimp, trip tip, lots of dips, cheese and cracker and salami type food, lots of treats, and yummy hot chocolate for the reading of The Night Before Christmas! Love it!!

 The kids had a blast singing silly songs.

 Hallie loves when the Kalauli's come over. They have 6 kids and she love their baby boy, bubbas! They are so funny together.

Gramma did a fun tea light activity/Christmas lesson. The kids had fun with the lights!

 Nickie will kill me for this picture...had to post it! HaHa She is super cute!

Athenn

 Gramma getting Crazy!

 It doesn't take Jillian long to join in either.

Looks like we were having tons of fun!

 Trey and Bubbas (Ka'eo)

 I love these pictures!

So cute!

 We did a silly gift exchange for the kids and Logan ended up crying of course. Then Keahi was nice and gave him the toy he wanted. He is lucky to have a nice friend!

 Bubbas! So Cute!

 We were able to play with Elf on the Shelf on Christmas Eve (and Christmas because someone who was wick didn't hide it...oooppps!).

 The kids opened up their pajamas before bed!