Charlotte's Blessing

Charlotte's blessing took place on October 7th. There are things in our church which are too sacred to give much detail and her blessing in the Columbia River Temple was one of those experiences. It was a beautiful day. Warm and sunny and a lot windy too:) We were lucky to have so much family there along with the Reiersens, Hartmans, and Kearns to celebrate becoming a forever family. 

Miss Charlotte, you were just the cutest thing in the temple. All the ladies were ooing and aaahing over your and once we put you in your sweet blessing dress, well, all eyes were on your missy. Of course, you were screaming at the top of your lungs so they probably would have been on your anyway! :) Miss thing, you were cranky. Cute, but cranky. Grandma Tina held you at the alter while you wailed and we all chuckled. And then at the very end of the ceremony, you just got quiet. One brief moment of amazing silence when you officially became ours forever. Then more screaming:) It's okay little miss, you came into our family with a bang and I wouldn't have expected anything else. 

 After the ceremony we went outside and took family photos. Unfortunately, our photographers had issues with her camera so most of the photos were blurry except the family photo (see Christmas card). Thankfully, Grandma Tina was in full Grandma mode and had followed the photographer around to snap all the same photos. Whew! Yay for over prepared Grandmas.

And silly Aunts! Aunt Sarah took it upon herself to get Clark to smile so she spent the lead up to the photos letting him run around like a mad man with leaves, throwing them in the fountain and just being silly. The result was some of the smiliest photos we've ever gotten. (PS his little tie just kills me!)

 Again, it was so windy but look at that beautiful temple!

That night we had the most delicious Indian food (thanks Taylor!) and just hung around the house laughing and listening to Grandpa Pat tell funny stories. 

The next day we all got dressed up again and went to church at the Terrace Heights building for Charlotte's blessing. To make sure we didn't have a repeat of the temple, we fed and wrapped Charlotte right beforehand so she was fast asleep for the blessing:) Dana blessed her with a love of the Book of Mormon and a knowledge of her Savior's love. He blessed her to pursue her education and consider a mission. It was a wonderful day!

We came home and did a family dinner of spaghetti and just had a really nice night catching up. So glad so much family could make it out for this exhausting, wonderful weekend. Charlotte Marie you are now officially and forever a Gailan baby girl! (Feel free to scream for joy!)