Our biggest baby has finally turned 8! Her birthday is always so surreal since it seems to us like she's so old (mature, helpful, stuck with so much responsibility) yet it doesn't seem like we've been parents for 8 whole years! This birthday was such a long-awaited one since she'd be baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints by her daddy. It also marked the birthday date when we would have "the talk" and explain to her about the birds and the bees. Needless to say, we (I) prepped for months and couldn't sleep the night before (the date.) It all went so well! She wasn't even embarrassed (the best thing about having this talk so early) yet was so big and mature about the whole thing. Afterwards we went to the movie, "Beezus and Ramona", which she loved.
This year also marks the year of the birthday party... Gracie really really wanted to have a backyard/camping party with all of her friends. 20 little girls screamed and giggled as they played games, jumped on the trampoline, had cake and watched "Up" in our backyard movie theater. Then we roasted marshmallows and ate s'mores.
Gracie really wanted to have an ice cream cake for her birthday.
She invited friends from school and church and her Brownie troop. 
Of course, Lexi, Sarah and Annie had to get in on the fun. They loved being at the party!
Gracie got such wonderful, generous gifts and cards from her friends. She was so happy!!!
Before her baptism, we had our good friend, Heather, take some beautiful pictures of her in her baptism dress (worn after she was baptized.) They turned out so well!
Both sets of grandparents traveled to be here on this special day. Also Uncle Scott, Aunt Kelli and Carson, Madison, Ty and Brooklynn. It was a beautiful service, with talks by both gramas and a special musical number by Gracie, her Primary class, sisters and cousins.
We all felt the spirit so much! We're so proud of the decision she made to be baptized and the great example Gracie is to her little sisters.
4 comments:
Oh man, I already can't sleep because of that talk. Her baptism pictures are beautiful!
Wow Jennica! You guys all look amazing as always... those are such sweet pictures of Gracie that Heather took! I love the last one of her eyes the best.
Jennica, all your girls are beautiful and so grown up!! I am already not looking forward to that talk! So I have to know, how do you bring it up? What do you say?
SO much fun and such cute pictures! Maybe you could send me your notes on "the talk." I'm not ready for my little Bella to grow up yet. :)
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