Very Special Birthday Boy!

Once in a while a child will look forward to having a birthday on a Sunday.  And that was the case for Tristan this year who had the very special occasion of turning 8 and getting baptized on his special day.  The festivities included a “slumber party” of sorts the night before with three siblings and his cousin, Greg who drove 500 miles with his Aunt Rachael, Uncle Isaac and cousin Porter just to be a part of Tristan’s special day.  Our little house was lots of fun and hopping with 11 people living in it and we still got to church on time even with only one bathroom. 

Before church after Tristan was dressed in his new white shirt we let Tristan open several very special gifts.  One was a “Captain Moroni” tie with a CTR tie tac.  Another present was a set of nice scriptures… a black Quad… and a blue CTR scripture bag with a red marking pencil and bookmark.  He also got the story book  called White Shirts.  And he got a baptism book to take with him later in the day so people could sign in at his baptism.  Tristan said he felt very excited.   

Around 5 p.m. after we’d had a birthday dinner of “Haystacks” at Tristan’s request, we headed back to church to prepare for the baptism.  We loaded the car with musical equipment and instruments and lots of food including: raspberry punch, vegi tray, fruited brownie pizza, pumpkin chocolate chip mini-muffins, just-the-best cookies, cream puffs, chocolate softies, and soft rainbow frosted sugar cookies, all homemade over the past few days by me before my out-of-town family guests arrived. 

Above is the table I set up right outside of the R.S. room with his baptism book, the story of the white shirts and Tristan’s very first “white shirt” from the day he was blessed as a sweet little one month old baby.

Here is Tristan with his Dad right before the baptism all dressed and ready in pure white.  He has a good understanding of the covenant he is about to make and is making this good choice with enthusiasm.  We got started promptly.  Our program included a prayer given by Tristan’s friend Joseph and a very good talk on baptism by his Uncle Isaac.  After the baptism and a short opportunity to bear testimonies our family performed a special musical number… Tristan’s favorite song called “Baptism”.  It had been a little too hard for our pianist, a 13 year old friend of Haley’s that Tristan had requested.  We happened to be talking about it last Wednesday at the lunch table and the idea just kind of grew and evolved until Rick decided to spend an hour at the computer after lunch and wrote an arrangement of the song that catered to the instruments and level of ability that our family members have.  I have a very musically talented husband.  Haley played Violin I, I played Violin II, Lindsay played a Violin III part and Tristan played a Cello part while Rick accompanied us.  We had fun learning our parts later that night and the following night.  The harmonization was exciting to the kids and fun.  I will say that I think it sounded better at home but it was still beautiful and very special because Tristan wanted that song so much.  Now we just have to get Kaitlyn and Nathan to find instruments and learn them.  We’ve got a couple years still, however, with them!  Our good friend Luis whom Tristan has loved since infancy was invited to visit and give a talk on the Holy Ghost followed by Tristan’s confirmation with special friends and family members who hold the priesthood gathered around him to participate.  There was a very special feeling and wonderful spirit felt in the room as he received this special gift and a special blessing meant just for him.  Somehow I ended up without pictures of the visiting or the food that we had afterwards.  I was pretty busy making punch and making sure my younger ones were being watched.

Nathan, complete with chocolate drool, helps to clean up the church after refreshments.

I kept Rachael busy after the baptism when the food was all cleaned up and I spent a few minutes visiting with my good friend Carolina.  Rachael took our matching babies for a few pictures as this is the last time they will see each other when they both fit these outfits.  We discovered last month during our visit that we both had good taste as well as similar taste and had purchased the exact same outfit for our boys.  AND more importantly we had both gotten a really good deal on these!  Aren’t they cute in blue?  She took one boy in her arms and walked the other boy by the hand and they almost looked like twins going out to get their pictures.

  

I’m so lucky to have a wonderful sister whom I love so much.  What do some people do without a sister?  And I get to have two sisters!

Uncle Isaac kept busy taking group shots with his camera outside of the church building.

Here are my five.

Here are my five with two of their cousins, Greg and Porter.

Here is a nice shot of my birthday boy, all clean and happy.

Tristan with his younger sister crouched next to him.

Here is our little family.

This turned into kind of a long day.  Finally it was time for presents.

Finally it was time for cake… my kids had stuffed themselves with food at the baptism and were more tired than hungry for cake by this point.

A homemade frosted chocolate chip cheesecake… mmmmmmmm!

We sang to Tristan at the tail end of the day as we presented him with his cake.  He made a special wish, blew out his candles and everyone was served.  We enjoyed cake and conversation outside on the deck by lamplight.  It was a very special day for one of our very special children.