Claire got baptized on February 11th. It was such a great day to share with family and friends.
We did a few things to prepare for the big day. Most importantly we had the missionaries come over and have a formal discussion with her (and the rest of the fam).
When I was a missionary all those years ago I decided I wanted to do that for my kids. I mean, they go to church every week, and we talk about church stuff a lot, but there's nothing like having real missionaries in your home explaining things in such a neat way to your child. 
(She was pretty happy about the whole deal in case you cannot tell :)I so want my children to understand this step of faith they are taking. I want them to understand that it is a covenant they are making with their Heavenly Father to follow His Son. I want them to understand that each week when we take the sacrament at church they are renewing that covenant. I want them to understand that they are following Christ's example. (For more about baptism click here.)
Before her birthday Elle and I went out and did a little photo shoot with her in her new white dress.
A few people asked about her dress from this post...the answer is that I was meeting a friend and happened to walk by a rack of white dresses at a place called "Last Chance" (rejects from Nordstrom returns that so many people love to sort through and I don't have the patience for). But that rack of white dresses caught my eye, especially since they were so beautiful and priced at $19.99. It's a little big for her but hey, we'll take it!
(Choose the Right)
I'm telling you, that Elle is getting to be quite the photographer if I do say so myself.
And Claire was pleased as punch to have her "twin" taking pictures of her.
(Gotta get the mom in there too...)
When the big day came we were ready.
Especially since we had my parents and two sisters join us.
Claire was sure delighted about that.
A couple of Claire's friends who came to support her:
Ready to go with her Dad:
She was glowing with excitement.After her baptism she was given the gift of the Holy Ghost with these good men surrounding her:
And both her Grandmas got to share their testimonies of their beliefs.
I got to go after them and I was pretty emotional because man alive, those ladies are some of the most amazing people I know and they shine with the light of Christ in so many ways. How grateful I am for their examples in my life, and that my children get to bask in their goodness as well.And I was also just overcome with how much I love that sweet Claire and what a little shining light she is in our family. She truly is one who seeks to understand spiritual things and always has such good questions for me.
Friends and cousins:
Most of the people who were there to support Claire.
I'm telling you, she is one lucky girl to have so many people to look up to. Each person in that picture is an incredible example.The portion of my family in town:
The portion of Dave's family in town:
Joy School buddies from a few years ago (and second cousins):
The Grandparents:
Some of the cousins:
We went to our house after the baptism for lunch and a slide show of Claire.
I was so grateful my mom and sisters were there to help prep the night before.
Love these dads:
Claire quickly got into something more comfy (jammies).
The last lingerers watching the amazing slide show Elle made for Claire. I wish I would have caught the scene when everyone was crowded around watching.
(I'll have to post the slideshow another day...)
How grateful I am for these guys.
Wowzers, that was a lot of pictures! :)It was sure a day we'll always remember.