It's all about family

Our third grandchild - Madison (Maddy) Loveridge, Mike's oldest - turned eight on August 31 and was baptized the very next day.   Lucky girl.  Many children have to wait several weeks and some even nearly a month after their eighth birthday to get baptized, because they are scheduled on a monthly basis around the first of each month. 

Anyway, Dan flew out just for this baptism, so we got the family together for a big picnic at the park to celebrate all the birthdays (his and Bill's and Maddy's) and mostly just because that's what I wanted to do.

Uncle Dan was quickly recruited to keep these flying beauties in the air.

It was a fun gathering where the kids could play at their heart's content on the slides and swings and where we didn't have to do dishes and didn't have to even sweep up after we were done.  I am becoming a firm believer in parks.

Twins - courtesy of conspiring moms who dressed our two youngest granddaughters in the same outfits.

The only problem we had was that what started out in sunshine ended up in a drenching thunderstorm.  The kids didn't mind, however, that the slide turned into a water slide.  They definitely did not melt.

Kamryn (pink skirt), Maddy (hiding in the top square) and Jack - you can't tell from this but it is raining.

If the amount of dirt/food on a child's face indicates the success of an activity, then this was a huge success!  (Brent says I'm a mean grandma for posting this.)

These photos were all the leftover ones I did not post already on Facebook.  If you haven't seen the ones posted on Facebook, click on this link:  Park Photos 8/30/2012

Because Brent and I were leaving town on Sunday, I ended up spending all day Friday until 1:30 in the morning Saturday trying to finish up things at work.  Didn't even get to see Dan on that day, but at least when I came home it left me kind of available for Saturday activities.  I say kind of, because I still had laundry and packing and buying and lots of other things going on which made me very sad that I couldn't just go and play with my parents who came down for the baptism.  Mom said I looked really tired.  Yeah.  I was.

I'm not sure how I end up in this type of thing every vacation.  In order to go, I have to work double long days before and after to make up for the time off.  Almost makes me not want to go anywhere.  Definitely makes me wish I could just quit, retire early, and enjoy life taking care of home and family.  But then we really wouldn't be going anywhere because we wouldn't be able to afford it.

But that's another rant and this blog posting is not about that.

Saturday morning I picked up Dan from the hotel and we drove up to downtown Salt Lake City where we picked up my parents who had been dropped off by Susie at the temple.  Charles' nephew was being married there that day, so she worked it out to pick up Mom and Dad in Idaho and bring them to her place and then came and joined us after the luncheon and took Mom and Dad back to meet Connie half way who took them home on Tuesday.  It was all very complicated but Mom and Dad got a little mini-vacation out of it thanks to two wonderful sisters who were awesome to help make it happen. 

So Mom and Dad got to come and sit around at my place while I ran around doing everything that didn't get done the night before because I was at work.  But at least they got to watch a movie (sleep) for a while.

Then we made it up to Maddy's baptism.  I stole this picture off of Makinzee's blog because I was too late to get one myself:

All in white - baptism following the Savior.  Photo by Makinzee (I think).

I was so honored to have Maddy ask me to give the talk on baptism.  And felt bad that it wasn't better prepared.  Makinzee gave the talk about the Holy Ghost and did a wonderful job with that, complete with great little visual aids and a whole lot of love.  I have to say I feel really fortunate that each of our grandchildren have a wonderful set of parents!

Love this photo, too, which I also stole from Makinzee (thanks, Kinz!).  Maddy, you did look gorgeous all day long!

After the baptism we went back to Mike and Makinzee's where her father grilled fresh Alaskan salmon for all of us to eat (at Maddy's request).  Yum!  Once again you get left over pictures below.  The best are again posted on Facebook and there is a link at the bottom of the blog if you'd like to see them.

I got the camera home and found this photo on it - I think from Mike, hahaha.  Yes, I was looking very tired, very fat, and very old.  And Ashlyn was looking very unhappy about being in my arms.  No pretense here.

This was the only picture I got with both my parents in it.  And I didn't get any photos of many other people:  Brent, Heather, Brian, Mike -  to name a few - who were there, too (well, Heather was only there briefly). 

Click on this link to see the rest of the photos (the better ones):  Baptism Dinner Photos

How can I express the joy in my heart to have grandchildren and to see them grow their testimonies and love the gospel?   It was such a privilege to be there for Maddy's baptism.   Her grandfathers (Brent and Steve) were the witnesses at her request.  Tifani led the music, Tonya accompanied, and Heather played some very beautiful music between the baptism and the confirmation.

I love my family.  I love every single member - those who were born into it and those who were married into it and those who have been friendshipped into it.  All have a special place in my heart and I have to admit I am a very fortunate woman.  I do not take this blessing lightly.