McKenna's Baptism

Saturday morning came the day McKenna had been waiting and preparing for. She set a personal goal just before she turned seven to read the entire Book of Mormon before she was baptized. Two weeks before the actual day she accomplished that goal. We talked about Moroni's promise at the end and she went to find a quite place where she could kneel down, pray, and find out for herself if the Book of Mormon was true. She had a sweet personal experience as the spirit whispered to her heart of the truthfulness of the book.

Grandma and Grandpa Crane made it out all the way from California.

McKenna and Bishop Schill

Grandma and Grandpa Daines came from Utah. Bret baptized her and my Dad confirmed her a member of the church and gave her the gift of the Holy Ghost.

She had lots of friends there that day to support her: Mae Evans

Katie Quinn

Naloni Lambert

And one of her best friends from school, Emilie Teating

Paul and Tina's family came from Indiana

Pauline gave a great talk on baptism. She talked about how McKenna was becoming a member of God's kingdom, a princess in His kingdom. She talked all about how princesses should act, talk, dress and treat other people. She then gave her this tiara. It was wonderful and I know McKenna will always remember it.

Tina gave the talk on the Holy Ghost. She talked about how an umbrella protects us in a rain storm just as the Holy Ghost can help and protect us in life. She then put a sun and talked about the different ways the Holy Ghost can bless our lives with each way being a ray of the sun.

It was such a beautiful baptism. The spirit was felt by everyone there. In McKenna's words, she felt cold when she first walked into the water but all warm inside when she went under the water.

Soccer Game

After the baptism we grabbed a quick bite to eat and headed to McKenna's soccer game. She was so nervous about this game. She felt so much pressure to play her best in front of so much family. We told her just to have fun, it was no big deal, but she put the pressure on herself. No need to worry, she still had a great game scoring nine goals.

Her own personal cheering section

Zachary and Brendan wrestled till to their hearts content.

McKenna and Grandma Crane

After the game we went to the downtown mall, shopped for scarves and got hot chocolate. From there the adults went on a sceinic drive up Skyline Drive and Tina and Tina and the kids and I stayed for a little longer then headed home.

Zachary got a good game of chess in with Grandma and Grandpa Crane

And Grandma Daines did lots of good reading.

Carters Mountain Apple Orchard

Paul and Tina and my Mom and Dad came to visit for McKenna's baptism. The day before the baptism we did the best of Charlottesville...Monticello, Darden and the main grounds on campus and Carters Mountain, one of our favorite fall traditions.

Lydia and McKenna

Brooklyn

Brendan and Zachary

It was a little late in the season so there wasn't much at picking level, but with the apple picking polls we were able to reach plenty.

Paul, Tina, Brooklyn, Lydia and Brendan

McKenna and Lydia got in a mean game of checkers while we sipped on hot apple cider, ate apple donuts and out picnic lunch.

Gavin and Grandpa

Halloween

Halloween this year, even though it fell on a Sunday, was great. It started Friday with school parties. Gavin and I went to the kindergarten story-book parade in the morning. Zachary was a Jedi complete with his star wars story book. Gavin was right by his side as the class sat in a circle and told everyone what they were.

There was a boy in Zachary's class that was a little scary and Gavin sat curled up next to Zachary staring at him the whole time.

And then the kids lined up and paraded through the school

Zachary got very excited when he went through Abby's classroom.

The girls had their class parties in the afternoon. Abby made a picture out of beans.

And McKenna painted pumpkins.

Saturday our ward had our trunk-or-treat. Abby was Harry Potter.

McKenna was a 50's girl

Zachary the Jedi

Gavin was Batman

Because this was their only trick-or-treating we let them go around as much as they wanted. On Monday they took their candy to a local dentist who was buying the candy back and sending it to the troops. I added our extra candy to theirs. Abby kept half of hers and got $4, Zachary and McKenna decided to sell all their candy and each earned $7. Not bad considering it all came from the trunk-or-treat.