Evelyne's Blessing Day

I am so grateful for my beautiful family!

We blessed Eve yesterday (6/7/15) and the whole experience was nothing short of beautiful! We had tons of family there to show their love and support. Josh did an amazing job giving the blessing and the spirit was so strong I couldn't stop crying! Eve was her usual perfect angel self and didn't cry. I only had to get up once with her which was fine because I wanted to get up and bare my testimony anyway. As I stood up at the pulpit holding my sweet baby and looked out over the three rows of family sitting front row and center, smiling up at me, I was overcome with so much gratitude to my Heavenly Father that I couldn't fight back the tears any longer! Half of my family is inactive and I know it couldn't have been easy, and yet there they were for us! Even Grandma Helm who always claims the church will burn down if she steps foot in the doorway was there! I couldn't express in words what I was feeling inside and the tears and shaking didn't help any, but I hope they all understood. Throughout sacrament I sat next to Grandma Helm and watched her holding my baby and thought about my childhood and what an amazing woman my Grandma has been for me. I am so grateful my children have the chance to get to know their Great Grandma the way I did with my own Great Grandma (her mother). Family is a beautiful thing and I swear I could feel others who have gone beyond the veil there with us that day.

After the blessing, we went back to our house for the brunch we had prepared for everyone! The after party lasted hours and was so much fun! We ate, talked, and everyone took turns holding the baby. I was sad to see them leave, but we still had Josh's Mom and Steve staying with us so happily the party wasn't completely over.  

Princess Evelyne in her gown.

Those shoes! She was beautiful from head to toe.

She wasn't extremely happy about getting her picture taken so she made some pretty funny faces.

Austin actually looked at the camera! It's a miracle!

Grandma Janis was in heaven all weekend long :).

Grandma and Grandpa Ronnenkamp

Now this is the typical Austin we know and love...

The entire family!

Aunts Sadie and Briana!

Mom, Grandpa Cooley, Grandma Diana, Grandma Porter, and Austin

My brother Strom flew out from Indiana for Briana's graduation and was able to be in the circle for the blessing! Yet another thing I had to be grateful for! He has been so much fun to hang out with and has been such a great Uncle. He calls himself "the Godfather" and claims he gets the kids if we die ;).

Great Grandma Helm, Sadie, and Briana

The Porter family (minus a few)

Great Grandma and Frank Wiegel.

Papa Art, Austin, Uncle Nick, Dad, and Mom

Great Grandma and Grandpa Porter

The unhappy party girl.

I wish we could have captured a picture of her not acting so grumpy because she truly was beautiful! When Josh held her up after giving her the blessing, the entire congregation gasped!