Tyler's Baptism

 I had a lot of fun taking pictures for Tyler's baptism announcement.  

Our family had just spent the afternoon at Bounce N' Slide and it was getting closer to sunset. 

I told Tyler to hurry inside and get on your church suit so we could head over to the church for pictures.  Tyler was in such a good mood and we got some fun shots.  Here are a few of my favorites:

We were in a hurry and I think those red shoes just scream personality with his suit!

Tyler's Baptism Day
Tyler was baptized and confirmed as a 

member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by his Dad.

The Stake Center's water heater wasn't working, so poor Tyler's baptismal font water was extra cold.

He was so brave to get in that cold water and make such a special covenant with Heavenly Father.

We are so blessed to have Tyler in our forever family.

Tyler is growing into a great young man.

Tyler didn't want to have a picture with me.

Grandpa and Grandma Ward (and Aunt Laura) woke up really early to make the drive up from Orem.

They gave Tyler a nice journal and a CTR tie tack.

My Grandma Hallstrom and Uncle Calvin came to the baptism as well.

Two of Tyler's best friends, Beck Susman and Jack Griffiths, came to support Tyler on his special day.

Others that were in attendance at the baptism: Tyler's Primary Teachers, Alan and Wendy McBride, the Primary President, Christi Nazer, Primary Counselor, Jenny Klinger,
Bishop Zeke Susman and his wife, Lacy Susman.
Dennis Livingston wasn't able to make it to the baptism, 

but he was sweet and brought over a nice handwritten card for Tyler.

These boys are hardly ever serious:

We had family come over to our house afterwards for a celebratory lunch.  

We had pizza, breadsticks, pop, carrots, oranges, brownies, and chocolate chip cookies.

We sang, "Happy Baptism Day To You" (to the tune of "Happy Birthday") 

and had Tyler blow out his candle.

Sam and I gave Tyler a very special gift: his own set of scriptures with his name engraved on it 

and a very nice scripture case.

Banner Artwork by Tyler

Brian's Baptism Day

Brian is the newest member of our ward!!!  Sam baptized Brian on Saturday, March 2nd, our Stake's baptism day.  Nine kiddos were baptized.  The chapel and about 6 rows in the overflow area were filled.  It sure was a neat experience to watch MY BOY be baptized and get confirmed.  I'm so proud of him.  The people that came to support Brian were, me, Sam, Tyler, Katie, mom, Laura, Brant, Great Grandma Hallstrom, Uncle Calvin, Sam's parents, Sam's sister, Laura, and Brian's 2nd grade teacher.

Oh, a couple details from the baptism.  So, we all get to the font room and take our seats.  

I'm sitting on the floor close to the font with Katie and Tyler.  

It was time for Brian and Sam to get into the font.  Brian just gasps and says, 

"Oh!  I've gotta take off my socks!"  and he throws me his wadded up pair of socks.  

Everyone got a good chuckle out of that!  

And then, Sam immersed Brian REALLY far down into the water (and held him down there a couple extra seconds) just to make sure that Brian was fully immersed.  

We were watching and wondering when Sam would Brian him up and out of the water.  

It was a great day.  

Katie, Lisa, Brian, Sam

Katie, Lisa, Brian, Sam, Tyler

Everyone came over to our house for some lunch.  We had homemade potato soup, fruit salad, Oreo truffles, and the best homemade strawberry ice cream cake topped with whipped cream and Oreo crumbs.  Laura, Brant, and Mom stayed and came to church with us today and had dinner with us.  

 Oreo Truffles made by Lisa and Brian

Everyone came over to our house for some lunch.  We had homemade potato soup, fruit salad, Oreo truffles, candied pretzels, and the best homemade strawberry ice cream cake topped with whipped cream and Oreo crumbs.  Brian opened up some nice cards and a new set of scriptures and a scripture case from Sam and me.

Laura, Brant, and Mom stayed and came to church with us the following day and had dinner with us.  

Random Sidenote: Sam was asked to sub in Tyler's Primary class and Brant helped him out.  

Tyler LOVES his Uncle Brant and always wants to sit by him.  

Oreo truffles served at family celebration on Saturday #baptismday#oreotruffles #8yearsold

We sure are proud parents! We got a good chuckle out of his skip walk shuffle steps to and from the podium at church. And some random visitor dude gave Brian a high 5 on the way back to us. 

Great moment!