Visit from Aunt Maddy

In February, we were beyond pleased to get a visit from Aunt Maddy!  Everything is always more fun when she is here.  

Even though the kids would have been perfectly content to just hang around the house with her, we decided to go on a few outings.  One was to the indoor butterfly garden at a nearby university.  I think we all enjoyed being without our coats in a place with blooming plants when the weather had been so frigid.

Aunt Maddy is good about catering to the kids interests.

And the kids were interested.  This garden was very, very small but they enjoyed it anyway.

There were lots of fun butterflies around.

Aunt Maddy would pick up anyone who asked for a closer look.

It felt so great to be warm in an outdoor-ish place!

I think the kids were especially fascinated by the display of live cocoons.

(We are definitely ready for spring.  Take a look at those poor chapped cheeks!)

This butterfly was huge.  It was much larger than my hand.

Everett's favorite was the one that looked like an owl.

I don't know why this was Ashley's favorite, but she sure liked it!

I wish I had taken more pictures of Aunt Maddy's visit.  We loved every second of having her with us.  On the way home from dropping her off at the airport, William said sadly, "I really miss Aunt Maddy."  I think we all feel the same way!

Charlie's Blessing Day

We blessed Charlie when he was five weeks old.  It had been a great five weeks with our squishy little guy.  He has been smiley and friendly and interested in his surroundings from the beginning.  

We have been happy to have him in our family.  He gets plenty of attention, that is for sure.  

Charlie loves listening to people talk to him.  The morning of his blessing, I was thrilled when he gave his biggest smile yet and his sweetest coos in reply. 

My sweet parents flew all the way from Utah to join us on this day.  I was, and am, so grateful for their presence and their support.  The kids were excited to have someone novel to play games with.

People used to tell me I look just like my mother.  I don't know how true that is but I've always taken it as a compliment.  Maybe someday I will become the kind of person she is, too.

I couldn't resist taking a few pictures of Charlie against the blessing blanket I crocheted.  This is to prove to my children and future generations that I have actually finished some of the projects I have started for them.

I think Charlie's eyes are going to be blue.  Those recessive genes are really something!

What a sweetie.  I feel a rush of happiness every time I look at that face, even these more serious ones.

Charlie's blessing was neat.  I love hearing the baby blessings.  I love that in our church, the blessings are personal, unique, and not from a memorized prayer.  The inspiration through the priesthood really gives me insight into the kind of personality my child has been born with.  I look forward to this day with great anticipation.  I took some notes; here they are, for those who couldn't be present but wanted to:

Charlie is blessed with peace in his life.  He will have a deep love for his friends and neighbors and the gospel of Jesus Christ.  He is blessed with the Spirit of Happiness.

He is blessed with a quick mind.  He will be aware of his surroundings and those in need.

He is blessed with a friendly personality.  It will be easy for him to make friends and be an influence to them and to his family.

He will have an attitude of service in his life, will be aware of those around him, and be eager and willing to serve them.  That attitude of service will help him throughout his life as he progresses and receives the gospel in his life.

He will love the temple, and he will seek it out throughout his life, and one day he will find a spouse who he will love dearly, and she will love him.

I want nothing more for my children than for them to become the kind of people who are actively seeking to help and love and show kindness for others.  Naturally, this blessing made me happy.  But I raise the question--are baby blessings ever anything but happy and positive?  That must be the beauty of it.