At One Point I Asked If We Could Just Dunk Her All the Way In the Holy Water :)

Sweet Caroline was baptized this weekend, and boy did she give us a run for our money.  She was in rare form, which isn't totally something unexpected from babies, but still stress-inducing.  The little stinker has recently begun embarking on big walking adventures everywhere, and wants to get down and practice every chance she gets, which is what she wanted to do during her baptism. When someone tried to pick her up, you know, to get annointed with oil or to have holy water poured over her angelic little head, she kicked and screamed and threw herself back like she was being tortured (yes, The Exorcism did cross my mind). At one point, she was playing in the plant box (a long planter thing with a wooden edge) while everyone else was listening to the deacon (we had lost control at that point) and she inadvertently did the splits and cut her chin on the ledge.  It was the teeniest cut, but of course it bled all over her little baptism dress. Memories.

Despite Caroline's stinkerness, the rest of the event was lovely. We were so lucky to have Caroline's uncle Derin fly in from Seattle to be there as her godfather, and we were also lucky to have my dear friend Cathy there as Caroline's godmother. :)

Here's Caroline looking angelic pre-baptism....

We had a brunch at my mom and dad's house prior to the baptism for both Caroline, and my sweet niece Emmy, who was being baptized at the same time...thanks Nana and Papa!

 

Who doesn't love babies sitting on a table? Totally safe! 

 

Uncle Derin :)

Godparents Derin and Cathy :)

I think her inner monologue went something like, "I am about to freak out- mwahahahaha." 

Must keep moving...must keep moving...

Grandpa Tommy, Mimi, Uncle Derin

Nana, Emmy, and Caroline (some serious arm muscles)

Emmy and Caroline

Addy, Avery, and the Beerman cuties

Baptisms can be dangerous...

The night before the baptism, we celebrated with Uncle Derin, who had just flown in from Seattle.  He brought this...his Superbowl ring from the Seahawks victory- amazing! 

Avery was obsessed with Derin. Obsessed. She basically challenged him to a super marathon of kid activities, including races, playdough, puzzles, reading, etc., etc., etc. 

She hadn't seen Derin for over 2 years, so I think she was trying to cram all of that lost time into 1 night...

I love this picture.

On the Fourth of July, the Friday before the baptism, we had a parade in our neighborhood, Chestnut Oaks. Ave and I decorated the vehicles for the parade in a very tasteful fashion. :)

Oh please let this be Avery's only experience in a cop car. Ever.

My sweet dad, Ave, and I.

 

We had the grandparents over for a cookout later in the day. Ave did the strawberry rows for this cake- impressive!

Nana and Caroline

 

This was a cool Pinterest idea- put your hand in a cup to hold a sparkler so it doesn't spark on your hand!  

 

On Saturday we went to Addy Young's 5th birthday party! Lots of water fun! Here's Caroline and her boyfriend, Rhys!

 

 

 What a fabulous holiday weekend! :)