Tyler's Baptism and a Trip to GA

Our sweet Tyler turned 8 back in April. But due to the COVID restrictions, we weren't able to baptize him right away. I finally had the idea to do the baptism in Georgia in my parents ward building. Since Dad is the Bishop, it made getting permission a little easier. Doing it this way also made it easier for the Allen's and Lee's family to attend. And since we were all family and felt safe within ourselves, we didn't have to abide by the Social Distancing and mask wearing rules that would have to happen if we had non-family there. So we made it all work and it was a fantastic weekend!

Amy was worn out before the party even began! haha. Actually, we have to give her motion sickness medication for the car and it always makes her sleepy.

But when the Allen's rolled in... the party began. It was non-stop fun.

The 5 boys cracked us up. They traveled in their pack and had the best time with one another.

The girls sequestered themselves in Meme and Papa's room and did what girls do. Talk, laugh, do each others hair and draw.

The adults? Well, besides talking, Meme started watching a tv show called "Alone." It's a reality show about people competing to be the last man standing on Vancouver Island. Most of us got into it as well.

The girls tried sleeping on the screened in porch but the night fell through when Adeline was bitten on the ear (we think by a spider) and swelled up really badly. Poor Adeline! Luckily she was fine by the morning thanks to benadryl and some essential oils. I got to sleep out there the night before and thankfully didn't have an issue (aside from it being really hot and humid.)

Since Amy was off sleeping different places with Adeline, Marty was left to find a new sleeping partner. Tyler was thrilled that he picked him.

The day of the baptism arrived! We got everyone dressed and to get some peace and quiet for a few minutes, and ensure the kids wouldn't ruin their clothing, Meme put on a movie. It worked! No one moved.

All ready!

Sweet Tyler coming out of the water. He was so, so excited and he radiated with a new glow. Later on when I asked him how he felt he said, "I feel AMAZING!" He's such a sweet boy.

Us with Granny 

With Granny and Uncle Bobby

MeMe and Papa

With the Allen Clan

And a big group shot. I had to prop my phone on some hymn books, but it was a lucky accident to get that and the CTR program in the picture as well.

Opening a gift from the Allen's. The gave him a giftcard and a shark mug.

After the baptism we all had lunch back at the house. Dad grilled hamburgers and hotdogs and Granny and Uncle Bobby joined as well. We just loved having them there and were so excited they came. Tyler especially. Earlier in the day he said, "Granny and Uncle Bobby are coming!?!? YAY!!"

After lunch it was back to play time.

Abe liked playing with Marty. And Marty did really well with the small children (Eli and Abe.) 

Years ago Aunt Donna and Jenny got these Seneca Park Zoo shirts for Amy and our boys. Amy still fits into hers but the boys won't wear them because they are purple. So she gave one to Adeline. They loved that they matched each other... even with their glasses and ponytails. (We got these shirts probably 4-5 years ago. Amy doesn't grow much. haha. Actually, she's just started growing this year. She's finally hitting a growth spurt. She wore a dance tshirt she got when she was 4 until last year!) 

The kids watched a movie on the porch.

More hair-do's.

Another night of Marty sleeping by Tyler.

And then the fun had to end. We needed to get back to Tennessee and the Allen's caught a plane to Florida for their beach vacation. We hope they have a great time!

This is how everyone felt though, it was just Eli who showed it firsthand. It was a wonderfully fun and perfect weekend, but when you play non-stop you tend to be a little exhausted.

When we got home we had 2 garden surprises. My Blackberry Lily bloomed again. This was from a friend, who got it from her friend, who swiped some seeds from Monticello many years ago and wondered if she could get it to bloom. My friend had it for years and it never bloomed so she was a little jealous when mine did!

And this pretty Eastern Black Swallowtail butterfly. I had a bunch of caterpillars on some parsley and I took a few and put them in the enclosure so I could watch the process. They finally emerged!