A More Detailed Account

Friday the Morgan's (Nathan, Raya, Ilee, and Brynlee) showed up about 5:30pm. I was behind in getting dinner ready, so we talked and caught up. We sent our kids to bed about 8:30 and then talked some more. It was so fun. It was like we haven't even been apart. We met Nathan and Raya about 8 years ago. They quickly became our really good friends. Then they decided to move to Bellingham and go to dental school. Nathan graduates in June, and we couldn't be more proud of him!! Then, around 11:00pm, Uncle Dave's family (Steve's brother) showed up. We had their room ready to go, so they just had to plop down and go to sleep.

*****

Saturday morning started out with breakfast, of course!! We had pancakes, sausage links, scrambled eggs, cantaloupe and strawberries. Then we talked while the kids played. Our play room is proof of all fun the kids had. Then it was time to start getting ready. Grandma and Grandpa Rogers showed up right after breakfast. Then Grandma and Grandpa Wilcox (with Aunt Kaija!!) straggled in. After visiting some more, it was time to start getting ready for the baptism. It was kinda crazy getting 21 people ready in our house. But we did it and we were even early! Pretty impressive.

*****

Parker's baptism was wonderful. We had a full room with friends and family. Parker's 2nd grade teacher even came. She's had tons of LDS kids in her class over the years, and has even been known to come to Sacrament meetings. We waited almost 10 minutes for the bishop; he was running late coming from a track meet and supporting his kids. Yes, I got teary-eyed, but not until the boys were in the font. It was so special seeing my boys using and partaking of the priesthood. It's such a wonderful feeling know that this special ordinance has been restored to the earth, and that we have the same power that our Heavenly Father and Savior has in order to perform that ordinance. During the last half of the program, Steve noticed a tick in Parker's hair. YUCK!!! Not only was it in his hair, it was planted in his scalp. It's probably the only tick to have been baptized into the church, subsequently confirmed, and then promptly flushed down the toilet. I'm sure he'll be resurrected. Steve and Parker headed straight for the bathroom after we were done, and poor Parker had quite a few of his hairs ripped out in order to get that nasty tick out. After the baptism, we had everyone staying with us (both grandparents, Aunt Kaija, Uncle Dave's family, and the Morgan family) come back to our house for hoagies, potato salad, chips, veggies, beans and pop. So yummy!! We had a great time, and are so thankful to everyone for making an extra effort to go out of their way and come all the way over here to support Parker. Now let's enjoy some more pictures :D

Below: Parker and our Bishopric

Below: Parker and his Primary Class (minus 2 kids)

Below: the kids eating lunch after the Baptism

Below: Parker and Mrs. Tilque (2nd Grade Teacher)

Below: Parker with Grandma and Grandpa Rogers

Below: with the Wilcox Grandparents and Aunt Kaija

Below: Morgan Family; Nathan with Brynlee and Raya with Ilee

Below: Uncle Dave's family (w/out Uncle Dave!)