Week 11

May 20-26

We started off this week with some visitors. Ed's dad and his wife Mary Ann came down to FL for their vacation. They stayed at a hotel a few miles from our house and planned on enjoying the beach and spending time with Jack. Well, for the first time since we moved here 7 months ago it decided to rain (and rain, and rain, and rain). I felt so bad! They didn't get much beach time, but they sure got to spend time with Jack and us. We weren't complaining about that! We had a nice visit and were so happy they came to see us!

Thursday morning we packed up the Highlander with all of our stuff, Jack, & Hope to drive down to Sumter, SC for Jack's big weekend. We were all so excited to see the whole family. It was going to be an eventful weekend because Saturday Jack's Grandma (Cindy) and Harvin were getting married in the Catholic Church and then Sunday was Jack's Baptism. The drive went pretty well and we arrived in Sumter Thursday afternoon. We ran errands and did last minute things to get ready for the weekend. Friday we baked lots and lots of cookies and started welcoming the guests who were arriving from just about everywhere.

Uncle Al & Aunt Sharon drove 14 hours from New Jersey, Holly flew in from Wisconsin, Uncle John and Aunt Kathy along with Jonathan, Ashleigh, Alyssa, Jason, & Chelsea Dog drove in from Pennsylvania...the family and friends just poured in. It was fantastic!! Saturday night we all gathered at the church and watched Harvin & Cindy renew their vows after their long journey with the Catholic Church. It was an intimate and emotional ceremony held in the evening. We had the whole church to ourselves and it was so nice to witness such an incredible couple professing their lifelong commitment to each other. Here is a picture after the ceremony of the immediate family.

So after the ceremony we all went to dinner as a family. It was delicious!! :)

Sunday morning we woke up for Jack's big day! We spent the morning getting ready to go to the church. Of course we had to have a crisis first. We realized that we had forgotten to pick up the cake from the bakery on Saturday. Well the bakery is closed on Sunday which made us very sad because Cindy had ordered a DELICIOUS lemon layered cake from a very good bakery in town. I have personally sampled this cake before and when she told me she had ordered it I was VERY excited to have some. Well, when we realized we forgot about the cake we remembered that there was a cake left over from the celebrations of the day before. It hadn't even been cut yet, but it said "Congratulations Harvin & Cindy" since it was intended for the wedding. Luckily Cindy, Ed, & myself are very crafty so we scraped off the "Congratulations Harvin & Cindy" and found some yellow icing. I carefully wrote "God Bless Jack Edward" and made a nice big cross on the cake. I really don't think anyone would have noticed, but luckily right before we left for church the bakery called and asked us if we still wanted the cake. Haha! :) It was DELICIOUS!

We had such nice things for Jack to wear to his Baptism. The gown was over 85 years old and first worn by Jack's Great Grandfather. We figured out that Jack is the 18th baby to be Baptised in this gown. Thank goodness his Great Aunt Kathy who is officially entitled "Keeper of the Gown" brought the precious outfit down for Jack to use. I am grateful she takes on that responsibility because I would not want to have that job. Here are some pictures.

Jack getting ready. He took his bath in the sink!! :) He LOVES baths!

Mommy & Daddy dressing Jack for his Baptism

All ready to go!

He also had his beautiful white satin shoes with crosses on them as well as a tiny green shamrock. On his head he wore a bonnet that we will one day snip off the ribbons and turn into a handkerchief for his bride to have on his wedding day. He also had a white linen bib with a Celtic Cross on it. His little socks had white crosses too! He had a white blanket covered in white shamrocks for good luck. Thanks to his Grandma he was dressed perfectly. Now we have so many special items to outfit the next babies to get baptised in the family. :)

The ceremony was BEAUTIFUL. Jack behaved himself the entire time. He was awake for most of church and then fell asleep for the actual Baptism. He slept while the priest poured the water over his head. Here are some pictures from the ceremony.

All ready in his bonnet!

Slept through the whole thing!!

Family picture!

Godparents Ryan & Holly

Another family picture!

It truly was a special weekend! After church we all went back to Jack's Grandma's house where we all ate, drank, and had lots of fun! Everyone got into comfy clothes and we played games in the backyard including a water balloon toss and volleyball! It was such a nice day, the weather was perfect. Everyone had a nice time and we were so lucky to be around so many wonderful friends and family! Thank you to everyone who made it down, we truly appreciate everyone!!!