Ellie's Big Day!

Ellie was christened yesterday in a beautiful ceremony celebrated by Uncle Ig - it doesn't get much better than that. Unfortunately, my brother and sister in-law and their three kids could not be with us because of a family emergency so it was little bit hard to not think about them yesterday while we celebrated mass. Karla's sister was in a serious car accident Friday night and is in the hospital waiting for surgery - we are all praying that Vicky does well in surgery and has a quick and easy recovery but for obvious reasons Karla and Pat needed to be with Vicky and her kids on Saturday.

Auntie Beth showed up on Saturday to get Ellie dressed for her big day but was met with a needy little niece who wanted some auntie hugs! I was a little jealous of the five minute snuggle Auntie Beth got - Lizzie is usually ready to get down on the floor and play!Uncle Colin and Auntie Beth had a newly bathed Ellie to get dressed and it was no easy feat! Ellie got to wear the same dress that my mom, Patrick and I, Tyler and our 3 other girls wore on their christening day! 1st try - dress is on backwards!Her look says it all - what the heck are you two doing to me? Luckily dressing is not a requirement of godparenting and Auntie Beth and Uncle Colin get an A for effort!Proud godparents! They still have the dress to put on - this is only the slip!Our beautiful girl!Looking a little stuffy in the full dress!The Ellie look - just gorgeous and about to become a Catholic!Smiles for Mama!Uncle Colin got Ellie a beautiful silver cross to wear for her christening - it looked adorable on her!Ellie and her godparents!Beautiful day for a christening and Ellie looks like a little cherub with her godparents!Ellie with her parents and godparents! We were lucky enough to get some time with just the babies - Kk took the three big ones for us and met us at the church so that we could get Ellie dressed and take some pictures.Mommy and Daddy with their baby girl!Uncle Ig starting mass with a prayer for Ellie and the sign of the cross on her head.Auntie Kara - my fellow photographer, graciously agreed to take pictures for us during the ceremony and she did a wonderful job!I love Auntie Beth's face in this one!Auntie Meg and her goddaughter!A not so angelic moment from Ellie.Uncle Ig blessing the water for the baptism.Ellie Bean is baptized.Ellie is annoited with the oil.Auntie Beth and her goddaughter - it's official!Uncle Colin lighting the candle.Auntie Beth, Uncle Colin, Peter and Molly brought the gifts down before communion.Our friends from the 4:30 mass - the Baranowski's were celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary and received a blessing from Uncle Ig.Grammy and Papa with Ellie!Grammy and Papa with the whole H-W clan!Grandma Betty with the whole H-W clan.Ellie with her godparents.Ellie and Auntie Beth in the post christening glow.The best picture we could get of the 5 kids!Uncle Ig and Ellie - what a blessing it was to have Uncle Ig home and able to do the christening for us - it made the day that much more special!Papa and his girl.Auntie Ann outdid herself with the cake and it was delicious, too. Uncle B and his beautiful goddaughter!Our nearlyweds!Auntie Beth and Auntie Lisa!Uncle Scott always has a baby in his hands - here he is hanging with Reillyn - what a sweetie pie he is!We did have one uninvited guest - Auntie Jane! Just kidding - I sent invites out with 42 cent stamps by accident and so Auntie Jane never got one - luckily she has no life....I mean loves us so much....that she would never miss Ellie's big day!Auntie Meg and Lizzie!Cake cuttingAnnie and lizzie both scrounging off of Daddy's cake plate!Uncle Tim with his soon-to-be brothers in law.Much better picture! BTW - how handsome does Uncle B look in his gree shirt and tie?Auntie Beth reveling in her goddaughter!Another shot at the 5 kids - everyone was cranky and tired but Uncle Ig needed some pictures and they aren't half bad!Auntie Beth got Ellie ready for bed and got one more last snuggle before Ellie drifted off to sleep - our newest Catholic!

Most of the girls - ready for goodnight kisses and some Auntie Beth snuggles. Auntie Beth has spent so much time with the kids that if she is not at our house for more than an hour they start asking if they can call her! The fact that Auntie Meg is also here makes it hard for Auntie Beth to stay away so we have her hooked.

My little friend Ricky is hanging in there - he is home with his Mom and Dad and loving life. I'll keep you updated and thanks for all of the prayers!

GNM - ILY!