An Afternoon at Crystal Cove Beach

While we had family in town for Emma’s baptism, we spent an afternoon down at Crystal Cove Beach with my parents, Mark, Melanie and Wellington. Crystal Cove is a State beach so it wasn’t surrounded by houses or other developments. It was beautiful and not crowded at all. It was so great to spend time with everyone and the weekend went way too fast.

Here are some highlights of our little beach excursion.

httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9AxxjL6Cxg

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Lights on Broadway

Hunter and Emma just finished their two-week run performing in Lights on Broadway 2008, a production organized by some very talented women in our Stake. It was a great show and Hunter and Emma just loved being a part of it. Everything was so well organized, it was a whole show of Broadway numbers and it was great fun to watch. They practiced for months and it really showed. Amy did an amazing job too, running the kids back and forth for all their practices and getting their costumes all put together.

We got really lucky because one of the weekends that they were performing was the weekend of Emma’s baptism so we had all the grandparents here as well as Uncle Marky and Aunt Melanie and even Amy’s Aunt Jeanette and Uncle Dan came down to see the show.

Emma was in four numbers: I Won’t Grow Up (from Peter Pan), Consider Yourself (from Oliver), Born to Entertain (from ???), and I Just Can’t Wait to be King (from Lion King).

Hunter was in Pick a Pocket (from Oliver).

Of course, I recorded all their songs and they’re here below for you to see how great they did. They were all group numbers so it’s sometimes hard to spot Hunter or Emma in the crowd. I used YouTube’s annotation feature to highlight where they are toward the beginning of most of the songs. We are so proud of Hunter and Emma for all the work they did for the show.

Hunter – Pick a Pocket

httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zshEjYmM0O8

Emma – I Won’t Grow Up

httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRvDmU6wlyo

Emma – Consider Yourself

httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0cuxCPSBBKc

Emma – Born to Entertain

httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9NwpzvF3-8

Emma – I Just Can’t Wait to be King

httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9r2Ehbv718

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Emma’s Baptism

Emma was baptized last Saturday morning. We were lucky to have all of her grandparents, Uncle Mark, Auntie Mel, and Welly there with us.  Emma has been preparing for this important day for a long time, and had an interview with the Bishop ahead of time to make sure she understood the basics. Emma decided to wear the white jumpsuit provided for the actual baptism, but wore the same dress I was baptized in twenty four years ago before and after.

It was a beautiful morning and the sense of peace and love were pervasive. The stake primary prepared a beautiful program and gave wonderful and touching talks about baptism, and the gift of the Holy Ghost.  Sister Titmus and Sister Turner talked directly to Emma and Alexandra (the other girl being baptized that day), and I felt so grateful to them for their preparation and for their obvious love for these two girls.  After the baptism, Emma was confirmed and given the gift of the Holy Ghost.  She was glowing and just gorgeous. I hope she will remember the special spirit that was there that morning.

Afterwards we came back to our house, had a nice lunch of sandwiches and salads, and of course cake and a few gifts.  Mammy and Pappy gave Emma her own set of scriptures personalized just for her.  Nana and Papa gave her a special book that had thoughts written for Emma from members of the family about baptism. Rob and I gave her a special necklace that sparkles as much as she does! We are so happy to have Emma a baptized member of the church.  Great job sweetie!

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Baptism ’84

In May 1984 I was baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. In this picture are my Dad, Erica, Me and Chris (Matt was born several months later) standing in our backyard. The dress I’m wearing was made by my talented mother.  I found it a few weeks ago in a box I had stored away, and Emma will wear it at her baptism this Saturday. I was worried that she would think it wasn’t her style and wouldn’t want to wear it, but she is so excited to wear the dress her Nana made and her mom was also baptized in.

These were our friends that lived next door at the time.  We were all the same ages and genders, so we played together lots and lots.  My best friend is on the left;  Her name was also Amy, so we were known as “Amy N.” and “Amy T.”  In this picture are Amy, Me, Christie, Erica, David, and Chris standing in front of the church before the baptism service. Amy T. received her first communion at the Catholic church around this same time and I remember attending that service too.

Emma will be baptized this Saturday at 10:00 am at our Stake Center. The baptism is earlier in the day than usual because there are two Lights on Broadway performances that day too.  I’m sure Emma will shine especially brightly in the shows that day. If you are able to come to the baptism, we would love to have you there!

BTW- Lights on Broadway is a musical production that Emma and Hunter are participating in.  They have been practicing for months now and the performance will be fantastic.  Adults and children from our stake are doing song and dance numbers from broadway plays. Emma will be in Born to Entertain, I Won’t Grow Up, Lion King, and Consider Yourself.  Hunter chose to do just one song, Pick A Pocket. If you want to come and watch, let me know!

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Eight is Great

Happy Birthday to our Emma Elisabeth!  We love you sweetie.

Emma is a wonderful sister and friend.  She is always adored by her teachers because of her positive attitude and willingness to help in class.  Emma loves to be happy and make other people happy.  She is adventurous and loves to read the American Girl books.  She is energetic, fun and always ready to give out hugs. Her favorite foods are pizza and crepes, and today we had chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast at her request. Emma wishes that she could have a puppy for a pet, but Mom and Dad are too mean and always say no.  Her favorite colors are pink and purple and she loves the new quilt Nana made for her bed using bright colors and a black & white theme.

We will be spending the afternoon at Disneyland and we are all so excited to celebrate with her today. We love you M-n-M!

Here’s my chance to share an old photo of Emma all dressed up for Halloween when she was 3 years old!

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Disneyland Slideshow

httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7YaV9ZGUIY

Going back in time a little: Rob put together this slideshow from the pictures off our camera and my dad’s.  I just love it!

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