August's Welcome and Blessing Ceremony was a perfect celebration. I was glowing the whole day about it. Thank you to all of our friends and family members who made it so very special.
Gram signs the photo-guest book. August is her 55th great-grandchild!
Gram, Emma, and Kristen at the buffet with gorgeous flowers brought by Grandma Bonnie.
Candles for the candle-lighting part of ceremony, framed pictures of August as gifts to the grandparents, and a photo of my Grandma Winkel (with me at age 2.5) to represent her being with us in spirit.
23 adults and 18 children came to celebrate this special occasion with us, so it was a full house!
I spoke about the transformation of becoming a family of four after 5.5 years of being in love with our "one and only," and how excited we are for the new dimension the change brings to our family. Gary offered a heartfelt tribute to Abraham Lincoln, explaining the reasons we chose to give his name as a gift to August.
During part of the ceremony we honored the new big sister and talked with her about her favorite and least favorite aspects of her new role.
My father offered a thoughtful blessing prayer for August.
Gary shared his own tender thoughts as a conclusion to our beautiful, poignant ceremony.
With Grandpa Dale and Grandma Bonnie
Proud Daddy
I should have taken the dessert out of the freezer just before the program so it would have time to thaw a little. But my dad and I bent a few utensils slicing it, and it was still delicious!
Uncle John with cute baby August - is that a little smile?
Grandpa converses with his 13th grandchild
Beautiful Grandma in the backyard
A special day for a very special boy!
