Susan Jane is 8! She was so excited about this birthday since it meant she got to be baptized a member of the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints! It was such a special day in Susan's life and she was so excited to share it with her loved ones.
Birthday crepes on the special red plate! Such a fun tradition.
Off she goes to school in her tiara, and yes, it was all her idea. Daddy thought it was a little over the top, haha. This girl has a mind of her own and always has!
Lunch with mom
Susan picked out some of her own gifts this year and these non-prescription glasses were at the top of the list. She wears them to school often and loves to accessorize. Such a fashionista!
This is also a special birthday year because Susan got to have her party at The Lion House downtown.
It was such a treat to learn about pioneer ancestors and do traditional pioneer birthday activities like hide the bobbin and an old fashion taffy pull. So many of her favorite people were able to come, it was her dream party!
L to R: Taylor, Susan, Saylor, Ellie, Lyndee, Lindsie, Adam, Fisher, Lily, Hannah, Ruby, Arden, June
Our hostess was fantastic, the kids loved all her stories about Brigham Young's children and their birthdays growing up in the Lion House.
The delicious Lion House chocolate cake with a hidden gumball inside. The person who gets the slice with the gumball is promised a year of good luck just like the pioneer children did for their birthdays.
While the party guests were away, the boys play . . . at Cabella's. Lewey's first outing with just his daddy.
And finally, the best part of all, Susan's baptism day! February 6, 2016 - the service was so peaceful and beautiful. Some memories I have are that she asked her Grandma Susan to speak on the Holy Ghost and it was such a neat talk and the spirit was so strong. Susan asked her Grandma Palmer to say the prayer. Also Susan shared her special day with her friend Fisher in our ward. Fisher's sister and Susan's sisters all sang a beautiful song medley called "Learning the Ways of Jesus" and "Follow His Light". Susan's dad baptized her and he did such a beautiful job and had a wonderful spirit throughout the baptism and confirmation. Susan had a smile the entire service and answered all the questions enthusiastically when the speakers asked them to her and Fisher. It was cute to see how excited she was!
Poor Lewis was asleep for some of the photos, sorry buddy!
Susan's great-great Grandma Stokes made the trip from Provo - we feel so lucky to have her at our special events! Not very many kids get to know their double greats!
The baptism kids
Fisher, Lindsie, and Susan
Uncle Steve and Aunt Ali
Cousins Zach and Lindsay
Brockton, Uncle Matt, Gunner, and Aunt Corie
Uncle Rob and Izzy
Friends Avery and Adrienne
Grandpa and Grandma Lamb
My two favorite Susan's
Grandma and Grandpa Palmer
We are so grateful for the incredible effort both sets of grandparents they make to come to our special days. It's a big sacrifice, lots of driving and flying, and not lots of time here. It means so much to all of us! Such neat memories for our kids.
Seth, Ellie, Aunt Katie, Uncle Tom
Dear friends LaVerna and Rick Stapler
Great-great Grandma Stokes and her husband Grandpa Harold
Five generations, minus Grandma Setlow
Friends James, Melissa, Hannah, Abbie, & Sam Winder
The morning of the baptism, Susan also had a soccer game! Grandma and Grandpa Palmer came to support her, it was so fun to have them!
Lewis warmed right up to Grandpa and loved having him to snuggle with.
We had some special photos taken to remind Susan of this neat occasion and the promises she made. This pictures has some other special reminders, it's her two white dresses and her blessing blanket. Her baptism dress was made by her Grandma Palmer. It has been worn by Arden and will soon be worn by June/Ruby (not sure how to swing that one yet). It means so much to these girls to have this sweet heirloom.
So proud of our sweet Susan Jane! Thanks for sharing our special day with us!