Annika's Baptism Birthday

A few weeks ago our Annika Mae decided to be baptized and confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  While I don't post a lot about it on this blog, our faith is really important to our family.  In our church, we wait until age eight to be baptized so that children can better understand the covenants they are making with God.  Annika may be a silly munchkin, but her heart is sincere.  She was so excited to join Christ's church and promise to "mourn with those who mourn and comfort those in need of comfort."  Obedience may not come easily for this free spirit, but her heart is overflowing with an exuberance of love for everything animate.

Before her baptism, we tried to snap a few pictures out in the snow.

I think this one just about sums up her personality.

We were so lucky to have lots of family join us for the special occasion.  After we all got covid-tested, NomiAnn and Papa Kay drove out from Nebraska.  Ironically enough, they were able to make it a day earlier than expected due to a giant snow storm that cancelled school in Omaha.  Their early arrival was much appreciated as NomiAnn helped me with a ton of cooking and other preparations.  Meanwhile, Papa Kay entertained the littles by taking them to the Hogle zoo.

Nothing like Dippin' Dots in the dead of winter!

Meanwhile, the Wilhoits flew in from Washington.  Yay!  We were really missing each other, especially since Thanksgiving got canclled.

The trip was understandably exhausting!  Good thing Papa Kay found a comfy recliner.

We actually stayed in Midway, thanks to the Stoker family very generously sharing their cabin.  It was so nice to have a place with plenty of room to spread out.  Here we are decorating for Annie's special day.

Annie made her own birthday banner.

Anders seems to approve.

What the kids really approved was the amazing winter storm that rolled in Thursday night, dumping a ton of fresh powder.

Good thing Eila came with her snow pants and awesome hat from Alesia!

Perfect conditions to build a super-sized snowman.

By morning he was leaning pretty precariously.

Snowmen friends.

Uh-oh.  Looks like the snowman got knocked down.  Maybe it was this guy's fault.

Who me?  We watched this guy spar with another young buck for over half an hour.  It was fascinating.

This gal seems to want no more than a dry place to hang out.

Midway is fun any time of year, but the snow turned it magical.

Even though Friday was Annika's actual birthday, Callie, Adam, Jason and I slipped away in the morning to go skiing at Brighton.  Fun!  So much fun, in fact, that I forgot to take a picture until we were on our way back.

Meanwhile, Annie got to ride the Heber Creeper with NomiAnn, Papa Kay, her cousins, and her siblings.  Well, most of them anyway.  Talia stayed back in the cabin to attend school remotely.

Annika got lassoed for her birthday.

I think Papa Kay looks like a more authentic cowboy.

Cousin love.

Back at the cabin.

Time for a yummy birthday dinner!  Annika requested a sweet potato bar and homemade mac 'n cheese.  So many thanks to NomiAnn again for all of the help with food prep.

And thanks to our IT guy, Adam, for all his help setting us up with "new" computers.  The Wilhoits generously gifted us a couple of laptops they were retiring.  Mine has been an absolute lifesaver with school!

Waiting all day to open presents was a challenge, but Annika survived.

The cupcake decorating bar was an especially tasty success.

Saturday morning dawned beautiful once more.  The views from the cabin aren't too shabby.

The snowplow however, isn't very effective.

My very favorite room, however, is the empty master bedroom that made the perfect space for drying out all the snow clothes.

We definitely needed to dry out after a morning full of sledding at a nearby park.

Brooklyn made an excellent pack horse dragging Anders up the hill.

Meanwhile, Talia tried her hand at turning the sled into a snowboard.

It's hard.

All in all, fun was had by big and small.

In the afternoon, we headed back into Salt Lake to get ready for Annika's baptism.  She was baptized at 5 pm in the Virginia Street chapel, just up the street from our house.

NomiAnn made this beautiful dress almost 35 years ago for my baptism, and it's been worn by all the girls in the family since.

Annika requested to be baptized by her Papa Kay, which worked out quite well since Jason was conducting.  In Annika's dream world, she would have loved to have an enormous baptismal service.  She's been inviting all of our neighbors and friends for months, since well before the pandemic began.  In the end, we had to keep it small--less than twenty people in all.  Even with a smaller group (and a leaky roof in the baptismal area), it was still really special.  We held Annika's baptism at 5 pm so that Justin, Brianna, and Ruby could be there, along with Grandma Susie and Grandpa Charles.  Grandpa Charles and NomiAnn gave talks, and Jason confirmed Annika.  Annika's siblings were witnesses, her cousins sang, and Brooklyn played the cello.  Even more family and friends attended via Zoom, including both of Annika's great grandparents and more distant aunts, uncles, and cousins.  We are all so happy for you, Annie Mae!

After the baptism, we headed over to the 4th and P chapel for some dinner--a yummy soup bar.  Annika's main request was clam chowder.

I think Anders approved.

Her other dream--a unicorn cake with a candy bar (because that's clearly what unicorns eat.)  Thank you Sam's club and the Dollar Tree for coming to the rescue.

All in all, it was a piratey great celebration.

So many thanks to all the family who made Annika's eighth birthday so special.  They say it takes a village to raise a child, but in our case, the love stretches far across our nation.  Thank you!