The big day~Halli's Baptism!

On september 3rd, with almost her whole family {Even extended} Halli was baptized and confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

We had been preparing for this moment for quite some time. Teaching her about baptism, making a dress for her to wear, making a memory book for her of her day, sending out invites, and teaching her some more. But in the end, this is what really mattered. She looked beautiful, and so incredibly happy. I'm sure as a family we were all glowing that day and so full of joy at this momentous occasion in her life.

I am so incredibly grateful for my amazing husband and the priesthood he holds. I couldn't ask for a better dad, for these kids. He's such a wonderful examply to them. He loves this church and his Savior more than I can say, and our children know he does without a doubt. What better example could I ask for them than that?

We also got to share the day with our best friends, the Monsons. It was perfect. Perfect that these two who have been best friends since before they can really remember got to share such a memorable day together.

Because they were baptized the same day, we did almost everything together for the baptism, we took their pictures together for the invitations, Allie put together a little talk for both of them when they were confirmed, and we were able to get together with them for a dinner following the baptism. It just worked out so perfectly!

Sweet and tough. These two in a nutshell.

The baptism all went very well. I was asked to give a talk on the Holy Ghost before the baptism. We do stake baptisms, so usually the parents don't get to give a talk, so I feel very lucky to have had the chance to do this. I was also shocked that I got a little choked up. I'm not usually really emotional, but there's just something about watching your children grow up and start making big decisions for themselves. Hopefully she can continue on the path she's on and keep making some great choices, isn't that what all parent's hope for? 

Kevin did great with the baptism and the confirmation, and Halli couldn't stop smiling all day. When we were getting her changed after the baptism, she kept telling me that she felt different, and clean. What a sweet girl. When she gets nervous or excited she can't stop talking, and she was for sure very talkative then. I just love her so much, and the amazing person she is. I couldn't ask for a better example for her siblings.

After it was all over, we headed over to our church building for a little dinner with both our families and the Monson families.

It was a great dinner, and a perfect ending to a very uplifting day.

Between the two families there were LOTS of kids running around, and the kids all had a blast playing together and eating yummy food and the best cupcakes!

Then we started trying to gather people/kids up for family photos. Talk about a serious feat to get that done!

We took TONS of pictures and actually had one where most of us werre looking at the camera. With 14 little kids, that's pretty amazing, even if some of us are making funny faces. like my kids.

But this is what most of the rest of them looked like.

It was acutally mostly the parents that messed this one up, dang us!:)

Then it was time for the Jackson side. By now my kids were wanting to be done. Can ya tell? Doesn't Halli look happy?

Peyton kept it interesting by trying to pose.

As Allie and I were talking after we had finished cleaning everything up, we just couldn't stop saying how perfect the day had gone. the spirit was so, so strong, and we were surrounded by our family and friends. Everything was just so wonderful and I am so grateful for everything I've been blessed with. I really wish I were a better writer and could put into words just how I felt that day, but it truly was perfect and I couldn't have asked for anything more for Halli.

Here's a little picture overload of some of the pictures I got of Halli and with her and Blake together. Such cute photogenic people these two are!