Blessing Day Pictures

Here are the pictures we took of Maggie in her blessing dress.

I was so excited that I actually got her to smile for the camera.

She really enjoyed playing with the dress.

Here's Maggie sucking her thumb again. I think it's adorable!

Now she's just wondering what in the world I'm up to.

This dress was made by Spencer's mother, Moana, who Maggie is named after. It was given to us by Spencer's sister, Lana. The bonnet was made to go with the dress, so I just had to get some pictures with it on.

My sweet baby girl! I love her!

Family Pictures!

We had so many wonderful people come to support us, so I tried to get pictures of most of them so that Maggie would know who came and how many people love her.

My Parents. Maggie's Ema and Papa Smoot

Uncle Korbin and Cousin Smoot

Aunt Sadie and Uncle Josh with cousin Oaklee

Friends Trevor and Heather Nelson

Uncle Casey and Aunt Aimee

Cousins Landon and Alyse Essig

Great Grandma Dearinger

Grandma and Grandpa Dearinger

4 Generation Picture

Great Grandma Dearinger, Grandpa Dearinger, Spencer and Maggie

Uncle Steven and cousin Jayden

Aunt Lana and cousins Hannah and Lauren

Aunt Pam and Uncle Kim

Cousins Jamie and Jason with their kids Brielle and Serena

Uncle Blake and cousins Brady and Micah

Aunt Sadie

Uncles Korbin and Casey, Aunt Sadie and cousin Smoot

Aunt Sydnee

Cousin Stacey and her kids Ali and Christian

Grandpa Dearinger and Dad

Cousins, Peter and Jessica Johnson who let us over-run their house with people for the after-party. It was so much fun and we are so grateful for their support and willingness to help us out.

Cousin Collette

Cousin Hannah

Thank you to everyone here and everyone not pictured too who came to support our little family. We love you all and are so grateful to have you in our lives. You're the best!

A Letter To Maggie

Dear Maggie,

Yesterday was your blessing day. Next to the day I was blessed to marry your dad, it was one of the sweetest days of my life.

Your father and I want you to know how much love was felt that day. Especially when your dad, a worthy Melchizedek Priesthood holder, gave you a name and a blessing during sacrament meeting. You were surrounded by not only your dad, but your Grandpa Scott Smoot and Grandpa Jerry Dearinger, your uncles, Casey and Josh Smoot, Steven Dearinger and Blake VanRoosendaal and our ward bishop, Bishop McMahon, who all love you very much.

During the blessing, your dad gave you the name for which you'll be known in this life and on the records of the church, Margrette Moana Dearinger. He then proceeded to bless you with a strong mind and intellect and with a healthy and strong body, so that you will be able to learn and grow strong in this life. He blessed you with a strong faith in Christ, that you would look to Him any time that you need. He also blessed you, as our first born, with the ability to be a good example for your younger siblings, so that you can show them, through your example, the way to live happily and righteously and that, by watching you, your siblings will have the desire to do what's right and follow the Lord.

Your dad also reminded you in the blessing of how many people there are on this earth who love you and are here for if you ever need anything. Your family will always be here to help you and lift you up in times of trouble, but also in times of joy and happiness. We love you so much and want to share those times with you throughout your life.

He also reminded you of the people beyond of the veil who are looking after you and who will help you through this life. Especially your Grandma Moana, Daddy's mom, who you are named after. She loves you too and we want you to know that you will always have angels, like Grandma, who will be looking after you and helping you through your lifetime journey.

Your dad then ended the blessing.

The spirit of your Heavenly Father was so strong here, Maggie. His love completely filled our hearts and the room. It was so strong, that for the first time I saw your daddy cry. Maggie, we know that your Heavenly Father loves you. You are His child and He will always be with you to help you and to guide you. Whenever you are feeling sad or alone, all you need to do is pray. Heavenly Father will always hear your prayers and help you to know of His love for you. He will give you answers to the questions you seek and He will comfort you.

Your dad and I are so grateful that Heavenly Father sent you to be a part of our family. You have brought so much love and joy into our home. We can't imagine life without you and pray that we can be the parents that you need in this life. Having you in our lives has helped us to know and understand the kind of love that our Heavenly Father has for each one of us. This is how I know that Heavenly Father loves you, and please know how much we love you, Maggie. You are our little angel and we will do anything for you. Never forget that.

Love, Mom

Baby Animal Days

Last week, the American West Heritage Center had their annual Baby Animal Days and on Saturday we decided that we needed to go.

Usually it's nice and warm outside for this event, but this year it was snowing, so we needed to make sure Maggie was bundled up really well.

The snow kinda screwed up the normal plans of the party because they had to condense it all into one barn instead of spreading it out across the whole area and letting everyone play with the animals outside. It was still fun though and we got a discounted price!

Here's Spencer and Maggie waiting for the wagon ride to the animals.

All three of us on the wagon

When we got to the main area we had to wait in quite the line to get into the barn of baby animals. During this long wait Maggie fell asleep... her open eyes weren't seen again until we got in the car to head home. She totally missed it all! But we still took pictures and pretended that she was interacting with the babies.

Little Chicks

Lambs and goats were in this stall

Spencer's thumb being eaten by the baby cow

Maggie loved these guys!

We thought she matched the piglets quite well.

And the main event... Baby Bears!

They were so cute and little. It was took bad that only the Bear World workers were allowed to hold them. I would have loved to get my hands on one :)

After exiting the barn we went to the tent of the baby bunny rabbits. They were so cute!

And last of all, we got hold baby turtles. I couldn't believe how small they start out. They were pretty cute too.

Even though it was quite a bit more condensed than normal, we had a great time and are glad we got the chance to take out own little baby, even though she slept through it, to Baby Animal Days.