Weekend of Benito

Am I really old enough to have an eight-year-old?  Wait, don't answer that.  I'm old enough to have an eighteen-year-old, but big phew that I don't, 'cause I can barely wrap my head around the fact that my oldest child has hit the age of accountability.

Nonetheless, Bennett Andrew chose to enter the waters of baptism this past Saturday, and the rest of us had a great time honoring and celebrating that decision with him.

We had some special visitors come visit from out of town, beginning with Grandma Paula earlier in the week.  She and Millie enjoyed playing together--and running lots of errands with me--while the boys were at school.  The boys loved having Grandma Paula around too.






These two bonded quickly over many things:

 


Sparkly pink nail polish, fancy flip flops, the bunny song, picking outfits, eating treats, giggling,




watching Cinderella, dancing, playing with princesses, and buying fun toys.





Bennett loved having Grandma Paula at his soccer game to cheer him on to victory



Gratuitous coach-player or father-son shot

 

Grandad Jory, Connie, and Kendra flew in Friday from Seattle for all the festivities.

We loved having them here with us,

and look who finally took an interest in playing with Grandad!




The great equalizer: LEGOS

 


Reading books is always a sure-fire way to win over Miss Millie

Friday night = birthday celebration

B's fav foods: white chili, snap peas, pears, and strawberry Crush

Then the traditional homemade cake and presents.



So many adults inside the kiddos got to be fancy and eat al fresco.




Um, yeah.  This cake illustrates how busy things were:
Benito asks for a Star Wars cake and this is what he gets--Chewbacca prostrate in the frosting.
At least the candles my mom bought were cute.




Look how excited this kid is to wear a tie.  Thanks, Aunt Nae!



I don't have the pre-baptism shots of B in his whites,

so I'll skip to the post-baptism festivities and show you the others later.

We came back to our house after the big event for a simple family dinner for twenty.

Lasagna, garlic bread, Ceasar salad.

I heart you, Costco.

Photo slide show, baptism gifts, lots of conversation and playing with kids.

Good times.




Grandpa Geddes, Grandma Geddes, Mommy 

 


Liz, Grandad Jory, Connie




Aunt Kendra, Uncle Joseph, Aunt Kymber and her boyfriend Kelly




Grandma Paula




Kendra and Bennett




Riley, Grace, and not pictured:
Eli, Millie, Aunt Kristi and friend/roomie Debbi



Sunday brought sacrament meeting and one last big meal together. 

Then the Jorys headed off to the airport.  Sniff, sniff...

We wished they lived closer!




Grandad, Millie, and Connie saying farewells

 



Sad Millie and Aunt Kendra, although Millie called her her cousin all weekend.
Tough concept to grasp for little ones... :)

 


Kendra flanked by the boys

 


Father-daughter moment




Kendra Lee and Kendra Leigh
What are the odds?