Aspen's Baptism

Aspen Ashley Larson was Baptized and Confirmed on Autust 28, 2009.

When we lived in Arizona our wonderful Bishop Smith challenged us to read the Book of Mormon every day together as the family. The kids really got into this because if they read every day for a week on Sunday they could go into his office and pick out a treat. We set a goal to read the entire Book of Mormon before Aspen was baptized. We wanted her to make the decision to be baptized on her own and so we thought that she needed to hear the Book of Mormon in order to do so. We finally made our goal the night before she was baptized!

Aspen has a good friend, Hannah that lives down the street from us. Aspen really wanted to invite her to her baptism. We checked with her parents to make sure it was okay. She came over to our house to ride with us to the church. She brought a present for Aspen which happened to be ear rings and a thoughtful card on baptism, that I am sure they spent hours trying to find one that wasn't for a baby!

Display table outside the primary room.

Aspen & Jay right before baptizing her.

Sharly (our babysitter) was kind enough to keep an eye on Brighton during the baptism.

Aspen, Jay and I right after she was baptized.

For dessert we ordered a cake from sam's club.

Grandma Larson feeding Brighton. Why is it that he will eat for her but not for Jay or I? We had a wonderful dinner that turned out great despite the rain and change of plans. We had originally planned to have a barbecue at our house after the baptism but it had rained all day long so we completely changed the dinner menu and had it at the church.

Aspen and her friend Avery from the ward.

Aspen and her Grandma & Grandpa Hoggan.

Aspen and her Grandma & Grandpa Larson.

Autumn, Hannah, Aspen and Bella (she is a good friend of Aspen's who also lives down the street from us).

The day after the baptism my mom went shopping with me to get a couple of things for the girls for school. I hadn't done ANY back to school shopping. Jay, his parents, my dad and the kids went to the Detroit zoo. Doesn't Brighton look bored? I know he wasn't because when we met up with them the kids couldn't stop talking about how much fun they had.

Brighton trying to climb into the exhibit.

Brighton, Autumn and Aspen striking a pose.

This was a wall of ice. The kids could put their hands on it and it would melt leaving their hand prints.

Taking a breather.

Aspen flying down the zip line.

Grandpa & Grandma Hoggan & Aspen waiting for dinner to come.

Brighton finally shut up after dinner was all over when they brought him an Oreo cookie. AHHH peace and quite for a whole 2 minutes.

Thank-you to both sets of Grandparents for coming to Aspen's special day! We were so glad you could come and participate in her baptism. Thanks for all your help! We love you and already miss you!