Rylan's Baby Blessing.

Rylan is a huge blessing in our lives.

We absolutely adore her.

Especially now that she is starting to sleep through the night.

Not that we didn't love her before, but that definitely helps.

LOL!

In our faith, when babies are born we perform a special ordinance called a baby blessing. It is very similar to the Catholic (and other Christian religions) tradition of christening.

The babies wear all white and are blessed in our meeting house during our regular church meetings. They can also be performed at your home with an elder of our church present to witness the ordinance.

The father of the child is typically the one who blesses the baby and others (usually family and close friends) are invited to participate by standing in a circle around the baby. It is, in short, a special prayer in which the father of the child can relay his hopes and dreams for his new child.

Brian and I are not public speakers. We get uneasy speaking in front of large groups. Needless to say, Brian was a bit nervous to bless Rylan in front of our congregation of about 150 people. I was having sympathy nerves for Brian because I knew how frightened I would be if I had to do it.

Brian did a wonderful job. The blessing was beautiful and many of our family members and friends had tears in their eyes. 

Rylan wore the baby blessing dress that I wore for mine, 24 years ago. 

She looked so beautiful in it.

This is one of the only pics Rylan actually looked at the camera.

Me and my little love.

3 generations of women.

My side of the family.

Brian's side of the family.

She is so excited for her first white dress day!

I also celebrated my 24th birthday on the same day as Rylan's blessing. 

I happily took a backseat to Rylan's big day.

Here I am with some of my awesome, amazing and inspiring girl cousins.

I love them.

Baby, wedding and a Family Reunion

I'm attempting to catch up since the last time I wrote. It's proven harder than I had initially anticipated. This post is not in chronologically correct but I figured..

What the hay? I'll get it up here anyway!

Didn't mean to rhyme...that would be incredibly... lame... or is it awesome?!? No.

It should go in order of most recent to less recent with a few exceptions:

We just love our little sweetie. We most definitely love entertaining ourselves at her expense. It keeps things lively. 

I can almost hear her little teenage voice in my mind.

She is going to hate us... lol!

I remember when I purchased this little pea coat. I can't imagine she already fits in it. Especially since it is 6 months and she pretty much fits it. 

What a chunky monkey.

We had so much fun at our first Campbell Family reunion. Our plan is to do one year close to home, the next year away. This is a few pictures from the awesome relay race Ben and Suzie put on.

This is of the Oreo Challenge.

Ben beat Brian by a landslide.

I am ashamed of him. 

Just kidding.

This is the egg balancing portion of the race.

You had to transfer the egg from your spoon to the others. 

It is not as easy as one might think.

We went on an awesome hike to Stewart Falls. We left around 9 and were worried it would get too hot before we returned but it all ended up working perfectly. Luckily the hottest part was by the falls. Most of the hike was in the shade of trees anyways.

It was Rylan's first outdoor adventure.

Pretty intense for a 2 month old baby. 

Rylan is hardcore.

The only "somewhat" family picture we got from the hike. 

Rylan's in it... she is just basking in the shade of her blankie.

I can't believe the leaves are changing already. 

Beautiful.

Rylan was mad the 5 minutes she was awake out of the entire 2.5 hour hike.

We were lucky she slept the whole way.

We worried her cries might attract mountain lions...

I think the holiday decor around here at stores is absolute crap.

Everything is doused in glitter.

So we make our own.

The first time Pop Pop met Rylan. 

They have very similar hairlines wouldn't you say?

We took Rylan to Color Me Mine when she was a month old and make some pieces with her cute little feet and toes.

I have a happy girl.

We just love her. 

She is the absolute sweetest.

Brian's brother, Ben, married his beautiful girlfriend in August.

Brian tells me it was a beautiful ceremony, out in the country.

I wasn't able to make it since I was still recovering from labor.

I did however attend the reception for a bit and that was stunning as well.

Suzie is awesome.

We just adore her.

She brings so much life and laughter to our family.

Family Picture.

(Minus Josh).