Janie's Baby Blessing

We blessed Janie girl on Sunday after Church in our home.  Trent gave Janie a beautiful blessing.  I'm so grateful he is a worthy priesthood holder and was able to do it for her.  She only let out one little cry and then I guess my dad stuck her pacifier back in and she was just fine :)  Here are some of the photos.

I actually had Trent take this before Church because I think my children are so stinkin' cute ;)  Right after Trent took it, Janie actually spit up all over her dress - so much that I had to change her into a different dress before rushing to Church..haha.

Now for the actual photos from after the blessing.

It's pretty crazy because we actually had the exact same group that was at Aiden's blessing (HERE).  A nice, intimate group, just how we like it :)  AND Janie girl wore the same dress I wore when I was blessed.  My aunt Linda made the dress to try to get it to match the one Jen was wearing that my mom purchased in Spain while she was serving there.  I loved it!

The priesthood holders :)  My dad, Trent's dad, Trent, and our bishop, Bishop Ridd.

Aiden insisted he wanted to be in the photo, but then backed out.  He had been standing between Trent and Bishop..ha.  And I actually just remembered, Aiden insisted on standing with all of the men during the blessing.  He just stood and held onto Trent's leg during it.  So cute!

The whole group :)

Aiden wouldn't really cooperate with us for pictures.  Sundays are hard for him (and us) because we have Church from 1-4, so he doesn't get his nap in.

That's his little black police car hanging out of his pocket..ha.  He wouldn't let it go.

Miss Janie was getting fussy.

My mom laughs because she says Trent is always ready for a photo, even when no one else is.  He's completely used to my picture-taking family :)

With Aunt Amber and Jill.

I wish Jen and Amy could've been there as well.  Amy was actually still on her honeymoon.

Trent went missing for a little bit while he was changing Aiden into regular clothes, so he missed out on a few pictures.

With Grandma and Grandpa Knuckles.

And Grandma and Grandpa Christensen.

Trent, Janie, and his parents.

I love this one!  We were trying to prop Janie up.  I just love how girlie she is :)

Suddenly getting very sleepy.

One more picture with the girls.

Saturday night, before the blessing, I was actually thinking about this song from EFY in 2005.  I remember loving it.  It has always made me a little emotional.  I actually prefer the version from EFY with the woman singing, but this is the official video on YouTube.

It's pretty crazy to me that I've already worn all three white dresses. And that Janie's worn the first one now.  It will be really crazy when she's wearing her second white dress, when she gets baptized.  I'll probably cry.

Hill Cumorah Pageant

Saturday, July 20th, it rained all morning.  Once it stopped, early in the afternoon, I went down to the deck by the dock and did some reading.  I love reading by the lake.  It is so peaceful and I love hearing the occasional ripple in the water and as the water splashes against the dock and deck beneath me.

I took a few pictures while I was out reading.  This was an abandoned snail shell on the deck near me.

The other side of the lake.

Some geese swam by.

I love the barn that we can see across the lake from us.

Took this from the upper deck before I headed inside.

That evening we had dinner at Wegman's (love that place!) and then headed to the Hill Cumorah Pageant.  If you've never heard of this, it is a pageant held every July in Palmyra, New York that tells the story of the Book of Mormon and how it came to be.  You can read more on it HERE.

Got this picture as we headed in from the parking lot.  You can see the angel Moroni above the trees at the top left.

Spotted Mom mingling in the audience as we were looking to meet up with the fam.  Beauty!

Amber, Jess (who may as well be family!), Aiden, Amy, and Tori.

Everyone got a kick out of the skulls on Mom's headband ;)  She also got many comments that she should dye her hair this color!

The whole fam (except Trent :( ).  When Dad came out, the first thing he said to us was, "Don't laugh"..haha.  He was a good sport wearing that silly wig :)  Mom didn't like that they made him wear that one. The least they could've done was put a beard on his face ;)

My family had such a wonderful time participating in the pageant and hope to do so again next year.

Sistas.

A group shot.  Dayna brought her boyfriend and a friend.

The pageant starts with a processional where the entire costumed cast walks through the audience and gathers on the stage.  In these first two pictures you can see Melissa on the ground with the red flag.  I didn't get a pic of the whole stage b/c I was so focused on getting Melissa..haha.

Amanda was one of these dancers - in the center on the stairs.

Birth of Christ.

Tori was a boat wife (Laman's I think).  It was hard to get a good picture b/c of the lighting.  She's in the center with the green on her head.

Mom, Amy, Amber, Bryn, and Jess were in this scene (next 2 photos), and I was trying desperately to find them, but it was so hard to see w/ so many people on the stage and from where we were sitting.

Christian and Samantha were among these dancers (I guess they had the coveted roles!).

After Jesus Christ was resurrected, He visited the Nephite people in the Americas.

My dad is in the next 2 photos.  He was one of the disciples.  He is behind Christ to the left.

I love this scene with Christ blessing the Nephite children.

It always makes me emotional.

The prophet Moroni.

He was commanded to bury a set of gold plates, on which was recorded the history of his people, in the Hill Cumorah.

In 1827, Moroni returned as an angel and delivered the plates to Joseph Smith, who translated them and published them as The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ.

It's really hard to see, but each of the prophets who were highlighted during the pageant are on stage - Lehi, Nephi, Alma, Samuel the Lamanite, Abinadi, Joseph, and Moroni.

Joseph Smith restored the gospel of Jesus Christ to the earth.

The final scene with Christ ascending into Heaven.  Beautiful.

It was so wonderful to see the pageant, as always.  I was a little distracted this time with Aiden and trying to spot everyone on stage and get pictures, but I felt the Spirit nonetheless.  I know the gospel and Book of Mormon are true with all my heart.  If you ever have a chance to make it to New York in July, definitely take the chance to see the Hill Cumorah Pageant.