Tristan was baptized!

Tristan William Monroe was baptized yesterday into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  He has been so excited ever since he turned 8 in October.

It was a stake baptism held at 11:00 on a Saturday.  Which was nice to have time in the morning to get ready.  The stake primary president had called me earlier that week asking if I would do a talk.  I asked her if we could do the musical number instead.

We asked Tristan if he would like to sing, and he definitely wanted to.  We practiced all week.  He sang "When I am Baptized" with his cousins Savannah and Carly.  They sounded beautiful.

After we got done taking family pictures, Das and Tristan headed to the dressing rooms to get into their baptismal suits.  Das told me later, that when he and Tristan were about to go into the water, Tristan said, "I feel so good right now I want to cry."  I am so excited that he has chosen to become a member of our church.  He is going to be such a great example to his little brothers.

I am so blessed to have 4 fantastic boys whom Das and I can teach the gospel too, and to someday serve missions.  I can only pray we do a good job in preparing them.  They seem to teach me more each day than I feel I teach them.

 While we were waiting for Das and Tristan to finish getting dressed for Tristan's confirmation we were lucky to have my nieces perform.  Claire was supposed to play the violin while the three kids sang.  But due to the horrible weather, they were late and missed that part.  Which I was glad they did....so we could hear it again.

 It was such a nice surprise to see my neighbor and her kids there to see him get baptized.  Tristan and Ashton adore them.  Brayden is....I think....12.  And the boys are always going over to play with him.  He is always so nice to them.  All the boys in our neighborhood have been so great to let our younger boys tag along.  Logan loves them too.  He didn't want to go to anyone else at this time.  Tristan also received a gift from Savannah, Paxton, Will, and JD.  It was such a sweet thought and he loved it!

Afterwards we headed to Spaghetti Factory for lunch.  Tristan didn't care where we went, as long as his cousins could come.   

It took a while to get every one's order and food....but it didn't matter.  We had our own separate area.  The cousins all played and had so much fun.  And the adults just enjoyed each others company.  It is so much fun having a large family.  Sisters, brothers, moms, dads, cousins, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and most importantly...Grandma and Grandpa.  Best of friends in this group! 

Top left corner of this picture....Logan and my sisters boy Riley.  Everyone thinks they look exactly alike.  I have to agree. 

Bottom left...My nephew Dan and Dallon.  Again....they look so much a like.  I am so grateful for this amazing family.  And a big thanks to all of you that came.  I know its not easy to give up half your Saturday.  And I also know the weather was disastrous....so even a bigger thanks for coming.  It means the world to me and I know means even more to Tristan on his special day.  Thanks to all of you...this will be a day he will never forget!  Lots of Love!

One special gift that was given to Tristan was from his Grandma.  To each grandchild that turns 8...she buys them their first pair of scriptures, makes them a blanket(resembling the Holy Ghost) and a pillow.  Tristan has such a special bond with his grandma.  They always have.  So this meant the world to him.  He sat during sacrament looking through them and marking scriptures that he liked with the highlighter she gave him.  Thanks mom!