One big happy family....

*check out the serious frown on Mr. Connor....ewww, he wasn't happy!

Give thanks for friends...

We were really fortunate to be able to catch up with some old friends this week. Our friends Joel and Lonna and their kids were up in Lancaster for a few days. They live in Atlanta and we don't often get to see them. Joel was in our wedding...and has been a good friend to Craig through the years. He had a stroke about two months ago...it was pretty scary at the time, but he seems to be doing well now. We were so happy to get a chance to see them.

Lonna's parents have a pool, so we thoroughly took advantage. The boys LOVED playing with their new friends. (Lonna and Joel have three kids...Ben, Gabe and Naomi...plus their older cousins were there too.)

Naomi liked playing in the dirt pile almost as much as Sawyer!

(Hey cutie...what do you say I throw a little dirt on you and we make it a date!)

But no one can wear their ice cream like my little bull!

Jackson LOVED the ducky swim toy...he could have spent all day in the pool. He's really getting to enjoy the water.

Sawyer and Joel...Sawyer did not like the life vest...but eventually warmed up to it. (He doesn't like being restricted!)

Baptism

Sunday July 26th was a special day. Mitchell was baptised. It was a beautiful service...made even more so by the fact that we were joined by our family. Craig and i thought it was important to have the other boys in front with us. (okay, i thought it was important, craig agreed...though he had to hold sawyer for the majority of the service so he got the short end of the stick.)

I felt overwhelmingly blessed...Connor, Jackson and Sawyer did great out in front. They were very interested and listened. When Pastor Kent uncovered the baptismal font, Connor asked...how is mitchell going to fit in there? too cute. all jackson wanted to do was kiss his little brother. he was concerned that mitchell was getting wet. Mitchell did great too. Although he spit up all over me, himself, and the floor. he never spits up...so it was a little strange...but no big deal. the big boys got to touch the water before mitchell was baptised. they loved it.

Then kent asked the boys (and Craig and I) to lay hands on mitchell and pray. i was a great moment. I felt overwhelmed with joy and love. God is so good...and was very much there as we dedicated Mitchell's life to the Lord.

Mitchell wore the same blue sweater set that his brothers wore at their baptisms. (jackson acutally wore a polo shirt since he was older than the rest.)

This is Kent as he's introducing Mitchell to the congregation. I love this part of the service. Kent asks the congregation to take a role in raising Mitchell. It takes a congregation.

Our littlest blessing!