Olivia's Baptism

Today was one of the most important days of Olivia's life. Today she was baptized.

We had a luncheon at our house which was pretty crazy since we were moving 2 days later. Hence the bed on the floor and laundry with no drawers to go into. Everything was packed. We used paper plates and plastic forks, although I probably would've done that anyway. :) We drove to the stake center and I realized that I had forgotten Makell's talk that she was going to give on the Holy Ghost. By the time I got back, Olivia was already dressed in her baptismal clothing. It broke my heart. I guess I just always wanted to help her with that. :( She said she got dressed all by herself. Such a big girl. The baptism was beautiful. Everything went perfectly. She came out of the water glowing. I thought Aaron would've grabbed her and hugged her tight, but he didn't. Then he later told me that he had forgotten to bring an extra white shirt and didn't want to get it all wet and have to wear it for the confirmation. :) I was able to help her get dressed and talk to her a little. She said the water was so warm and she wanted to do it again. She told me how good she felt inside. We moved to the confirmation room and Olivia and the 3 other children that were baptized performed a musical number called, "Today I will be baptized." It was beautiful and Olivia sang with the voice of an angel. I was so proud of her. Makell then gave her talk on the Holy Ghost, Olivia stood at her side to help her. It was so cute. Olivia was confirmed a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and received the Holy Ghost. Her blessing was beautiful and included some of the following:

She has been given a gift from Heavenly Father that will lead and guide her throughout her life. Today she started on the correct path and her Heavenly Father promised to be with her as she continues on the path of covenant making. She was blessed to make covenants in the temple and be sealed there. She was blessed with strength. She was told that she is a good example and should continue to be one. Live the gospel and look to your mother (me!!) as an example. (It still makes me emotional to read these words.) Your mother is an example of womanhood and righteousness. As you follow her you'll conduct yourself in a way that will be pleasing to your Father in Heaven. Search the scriptures and you will find answers.

I'm so proud of our little girl. I don't know how she got to be eight years old! It seems like yesterday that we were just bringing her home from the hospital as a new born baby. I'm so glad she's ours, forever and ever!! After the blessing and confirmation Aaron made up for the hug or the lack there of after her baptism. He picked her up off of the ground and squeezed her tight for a long time. It reminded me of when he'd held her up after he blessed her as a baby. I could see how proud of her he was. They are great friends and I sure hope that she's lucky enough to find someone like him to marry someday. If she does, she'll be loved and happy all the days of her life!!

Getting ready to go to the Stake Center.

Hair up tight? Check. We don't want any re-do's.

Proud parents and Grandparents of Olivia.

Olivia and her favorite guy.

Liv and Daddy.

We're so proud of her!! We love you so much Olivia!

We took a picture of us kissing her cheeks when she was a baby.

It's hard to believe she's so big now. Time has flown on butterfly wings.

Dad or aka Papa, took us all out for ice cream after Olivia's baptism.

It was a sweet ending to a perfect day!

Sweet Jocelyn.

Jacob. Papa's little man.

I love these pictures that mom, Grandma Sharp, took of Olivia.

They are precious. I love my little princess.

Olivia got a necklace and a triple from Aaron and me,

a beautiful necklace from Grandma and Grandpa Sharp, a card from

Great-Grandma Sharp and a purse from her good friend, Alex.

After everyone had gone home and it was quiet in the house, Makell

came to me and asked, "Mom, when can I get baptized so that I can get presents?"

Very cute but I think she missed the reason why we are baptized.

You can be certain that I took the

opportunity to tell her.

Lake Powell July 2010

This is one of my favorite vacation-spots of all time. I'm so glad we get to go at least once a year! There's really nowhere better than Lake Powell. It's hot, the water is warm and there's always good company and good food. We get to pig-out at Lake Powell and not feel too guilty because we have so much fun burning off all those calories!

Not a great picture but you get the idea. Here's our view the first night there. The nights are pretty miserable but the days more than make up for it! This year, our family all slept on top of the boat. The girls up front against the railing (there's no way they could fall out or slip through) then Aaron slept at their feet. That way, if someone woke up and tried to walk around, they'd have to step on him to get to the stairs. Then we had Jacob's port-a-crib and then me. We put a fitted sheet over the crib so it stayed dark and the wind (when we were lucky enough to have some) didn't bother Jake. It's normally really hot, even at night, during July but it was perfect this trip. We actually used the blankets we brought this time.

My mom is amazing! I truly hope I am still skiing at age 63. Seriously!

Aaron had gone down to Lake Powell before all the rest of us this trip to drive the houseboat around for some friends of ours. They had found this perfect cliff to jump from so when we got there we had to go try it out, too. It starts small and then ascends to about 25 feet. So it's a "choose your own adventure" cliff. It was just right for the kids and adults alike. This is Jocelyn's limit, about 4 feet.

I found out this year that Olivia is a daredevil! I was so surprised that she dared to jump from the high cliffs. I went after she did and I almost didn't jump. It seemed so scary to me. It had to be about 25ft high, which really isn't that much, but it sure seems like it is when you're looking DOWN!

Left to right: Adam, Caleb, Brigham, Hyrum, Dianne, Mom (Grandma), Makell, Mariah and Olivia. They were trying to jump at the same time. This was a close as they got.

Dianne's family--plus Grandma.

Grandpa doing a swan dive. Now I see where Olivia gets her guts from! (Besides the fact that Aaron has NO fear.) I'm just glad that everyone wore lifejackets while cliff jumping.

Makell at her limit of about 10ft.

Adam, Hyrum and Grandpa.

Olivia and Makell.

Olivia decided she wanted to try wake-boarding this year. (Yahoo!) I was in the water with her coaching her a little and helping to hold her up straight. She actually got up for a second but I think it scared her so she let go of the rope. She never did get up again after this, but there's always NEXT year!!

Macey, completely worn out after so much excitement. She had so much fun with her cousin Sophie this year. They were inseparable. They played in the sand and swam like little fishies, always side by side.

Jacob did what he does best, and most, which is EAT. He was in hog heaven once he found the food totes! Usually both hands and a mouth full, then he's happy.

Since Aaron just had back surgery in February (only about 5 months ago) he couldn't ski or wakeboard. I think it almost killed him, too. He still got just as tan as usual though. I wish I had his skin! I tell him to just keep tanning so then maybe he'll look as old as me when he has leathery, skin! I'm sure even he can make leathery, wrinkly skin look good though!

Grandma and Grandpa just relaxing and watching the kids play in the water.

We brought the "glow ball" that we bought for a YM/YW black light volleyball activity. It was so fun at night. You just stick a glow stick inside it and have fun. The kids absolutely loved it. They played on the sand with it and a little into the water. Afterwards we took it to the back of the boat and threw it in the deep water. Olivia and I went after them (there were 2). It was really late by then and I have to say, it's really freaky swimming in dark black deep water! I won't go in without a lifejacket though, so it was all just in my mind.

Really, does it even get better than this?

Eating something, as usual. Hopefully nothing he picked up off the deck floor!

Grandpa decided to take all the grandkids out for a ride on the big tube. Unfortunately it ended up sinking the front of it because of all the weight. I didn't get a picture of that part! I guess Macey got pretty scared but everyone had on lifejackets so it was fine.

Since we don't have a boat anymore, the Meyer's let us borrow theirs. It was extremely generous of them and we were very grateful. Lake Powell just isn't the same without a boat! We took good care of it and then had a "boat cleaning party" after we got home. We washed and waxed and scrubbed and vacuumed. It was sparkling when we gave it back.