Eric’s Baptism Birthday

Last weekend we got to celebrate our last baby's 8th birthday!

Eric's biggest interest right now is Pokémon (closely followed by Percy Jackson), so I attempted to make a cake that represented fire, water and vegetation, since that's what Pokémon is about ... right? (We're all still kind of fuzzy on the details, despite Eric's MANY attempts to explain it to us.)

Anyway, it was fun to have a big cake, and Eric had been waiting for more little "Pocket Monsters" (which we used as cake toppers) to put in his Pokéballs, to put in his Pokémon pouch, so he was happy :)

Since Eric's birthday was on a Sunday, and he was turning 8, he was really hoping he'd be able to be baptized on his birthday. Last week he met with our bishop, and it looked like everything would work! But we weren't sure if the ongoing pandemic and the big ice storm in the forecast would combine to foil our plans.

Luckily, my sister Anita and her family were able to get their Covid tests to come into Canada, and the weather calmed down a bit so they could drive up.

Eric was so happy to see his cousin Summer--the only one in the family close to his age. She and her family came over on Saturday night, along with Tina's family and Grandma, to celebrate the special day.

We got a poster printed that showed Eric growing up over the past 8 years,

and found a white jumpsuit that fit ... Jason's--not pictured--was a little tight :)

Janae accompanied us all on the piano for the opening/closing songs, and then she also played a  beautiful violin solo of "Joseph Smith's First Prayer." Ben said the baptism's opening prayer and Alaina said the closing.

Eric asked his Primary teacher (Brother Gorner) and his cousin Becca to give the talks,

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and Jason baptized and confirmed him.

He had so many people come out to support him, including his Auntie Sheri and several families from our church.

Such a nice way to celebrate his 8th birthday!

We are so thankful for this wonderful boy. He is friendly, funny, kind and loving, and adds so much happiness to our lives every day. I have loved seeing him grow up and devlop his own desire to follow Jesus--I feel so blessed to be his mom :)