"Cousins by chance, Friends by choice"

So in 2010, 4 new babies are being born on my side of the family. The first three are all girls and the last one is still unknown. Blakely and Amelia are the first to be born and already they are best buddies, we can't wait for the rest to follow, what a fun crew it is going to be.

Bekah and I were attempting to get a good picture of the two of them to send out as a blessing announcement but failed many times, here are some of the outtakes!!!

I still think they are cute!

"Cousins by Chance, Friends by Choice"

This saying is something my two cousins, Annie and Sara, and I say all the time because we are best friends and could not love each other more! I hope that Blakely and her 2010 cousins feel the same way about each other some day!

Blessing

Well I am back and I have so much to post but thought I would start with the blessing.

We blessed Blakely and my neice Amelia in my sister Bekah's ward and followed it up with a giant party at her house. It was quite the event with three families all together but was such a wonderful time. Hank gave Blakely the most beautiful blessing and I had so many wonderful friends and family come to support us.

For the actual blessing Blakely wore a dress that has been worn by every girl in my family starting with my mom and my aunts, down through my cousins and sisters, and now the grandaughters. It is well worn and still beautiful, despite the fact that Blakely likes to throw up on everything she made it through with a clean dress.

After the blessing we changed her into the most beautiful dress that my mother in law knitted for her. She looked gorgeous and was a perfect angel for her special day.

I loved blessing the two girls together and I am sure they will love to hear about it when they are older and best buddies!

Getting ready with Aunt Mary

Attempt #1 at a family photo with sun in our eyes

So pretty in her dress!

Attempt #2 at a family photo, she does not seem too impressed

Grandma Terry made her this beautiful dress for after the blessing

Grandma Suzy and Blakely

Horrible pic but had to include the two babies and their mommies!

Auntie Adrien and the girls!

Seriously does it get any cuter than this!!!!

Baby Blessing

Click to enlarge

I know most people who read this can't come but wanted to post it because how cute are these two cousins? I can't wait for them to grow up together.

P.S. I love how little Blakely is in this picture because she is twice that size now!

Going Home

Well the day has finally come. Blakely and I get to make our debut in Utah and we are so excited. Not only does everyone get to see Blakely but I get to see my new neice Amelia and my best friend Lynlee's baby Adley. Babies everywhere and it is going to be a blast. We are going to miss Hank because he will not be arriving till the 18th, but we think everyone will keep us busy.

So I need some advice about traveling with an infant. I am getting quite nervous about it. I guess I am not so nervous about the flying part, but the part where I have to haul a carseat, stroller, 2 large bags of luggage and my diaper bag through check in, customs and security all by myself. I am hoping the person behind me in line is in a real good mood and wants to help me push my luggage.....

Can't wait to see you all and will miss everyone here in Calgary.

P.S. Remember if you follow me on reader you can now follow http://handeupdate.blogspot.com/

Blakely and I after church last week

Baby Shower Extraordinaire

My friends up here in Calgary threw me a baby shower after Blakely was born and boy of boy was it a party. My friend Simone is amazing and should go into the shower throwing business because she went all out and didn't hold back on anything. They came in on Saturday morning and transformed my house into a pink flowery oasis. In fact it was so cute I was wishing I could just leave my house like that forever. I had many ladies from the ward, Aunt Jeanne and Megan, and all my other friends from up here attend and it was so much fun. I couldn't believe how spoiled Blakely was and as I sat and looked around I was so grateful for the friendships I have made up here and how much people have gone out of their way to make me feel welcome. The party was a smashing success and I couldn't thank everyone enough. Thank you SIMONE, AMY, SHANI, CAROL-ANN, JEANNE AND MEGAN. You guys are amazing and truly made it a great day.

Megan took some amazing photos of all the decorations so I will post a lot of pictures.

The pictures still do not do it justice, but show how beautiful and fun it was. I love the last picture of Blakely and her boyfriend Carter and the bow in her eyes. Poor girl has to put up with her mom always putting bows on her head. In fact as I write this Blakey is asleep on the couch and once again her bow is down over her eyes, ha ha apparently she like it!

FAMILY DAY!

One thing about Canada that I love is their Monday holidays. About once a month you always get a Monday holiday with no work. So in February instead of Presidents Day they have FAMILY DAY, doesn't that just sound fun, well it was.

SO for family day this year we went with our psuedo family the Dahls and the Baldersons and made a day trip to Banff, it was a little cold but so much fun to be up in the fresh air and mountians with our best friends. It was Blakely's first trip up to Banff and she loved being bundled up in her snowsuit and was a champ!

Yeah now I can post all I want without crazies commenting and checking out my blog (story to come on future posts).

Now I just need to find the time to post without having to hold Blakely and type one handed, a skill I have mastered.

I am hoping to update tomorrow with some fun adventures and parties we have had but in the meantime here are a few pictures to tide you over!

It is crazy she is no longer a newborn but a baby and is growing up so fast.

P.S. I thinking of creating a blog that is not private that you can put on your reader and I will post when I have updated this blog, do you think that is a good idea??? I just know I hate private blogs because you forget to check them. Let me know what you think.