Happy Baptismal Birthday!

Olivia was baptized Happy Day!

All her sins were washed away,

God looked down on her and smiled,

She became God's own Dear Child.

Olivia celebrated her first baptismal birthday today.  We ate cinnamon rolls as a family and sang to her.

Daddy singing to Olivia.

Yummy Cinnamon Rolls.

Dennis and I reminded her of her baptism, she was baptized at the 10:30 service in the Chapel at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Lakewood, Colorado.  Our family and friends came from Michigan to witness the blessed event.  We had a potluck afterwards to celebrate.

Godparents Maggie, Ben and Aunt Lisa.

Nana and Grandpa Irion

Grandma and Grandpa Matyas

Olivia was washed clean, marked as redeemed
and slept peacefully.

Many items to mark the day's significance.

Margaret's Baby Shower

Olivia and I traveled to Lawrence, Michigan, this past weekend to help celebrate Cousin Margaret's baby shower.  She is expecting a baby girl in May.  Olivia and I were delighted to see all of the wonderful decorations and friendly faces.  I was on the invitation committee and helped facilitate the games.

The invitations for the shower.

Ducks in the punch!

Hanging tissue paper pom.

The chocolate poopy diaper game.

Clothesline of Zoey clothes.

Yummy cupcakes.

Presents for baby Zoey.

Great spread of food.

Great-great Aunt Carol and Great-great niece Olivia.

Olivia, Valerie, Margaret, Lindsey, Lydia and Rose.

Olivia, Nana and Lydia.

Zoey's Thumbprint Tree.

Fishy Cookies

For National Lutheran Schools Week each teacher was asked to bring in two dozen baked goods.  With an excuse to be creative, a Seminarian friend and I rolled up our sleeves and got busy.

First we assembled our supplies: Sugar cookies, frosting, Crisp Rice cereal, Goldfish crackers.

We tinted a large frosting batch blue.

Frosted cookies, dipped in cereal and dotted with fish.

Piped green seaweed and white bubble frosting.

Dennis and I attended a Marriage Retreat the weekend these were served at the church's coffee hour, but I was told they were a real hit.

Spaghetti Supper

It took guts, but we finally gave Olivia some spaghetti.  I knew it would be a sight to see so I grabbed the camera and settled in for the show, I mean supper.

Olivia didn't disappoint for the camera.  She had a well earned bath shortly after supper.

Going To The Zoo, How 'Bout You?

A couple of months ago, my fourth grade class hosted a garage sale.  During the donation stage a mom of one of my students asked me if my family could use a baby carrier that works like a hiking pack.  My answer was an enthusiastic, "Absolutely!"

After the initial test run, we hopped in the car and took the new carrier to the Saint Louis Zoo.

Looking at the penguins.

Dennis thought this was very funny.

Inside the Penguin Exhibit.
Note that Olivia is balloonless.

Stopping to see the camels.

Lions

And tigers

And birds

Oh My!

All tuckered out.

Fast asleep.