Braxton's Baby Blessing weekend

So much to say and not knowing where to start. Well, it all started Saturday April 20th, the day before the blessing. Jackson and I spent the morning cleaning up the house. My parents arrived with Camila Hawkins and Brooke Hawkins (both are my cousins) early afternoon. I'm so grateful they could come the day before to help make the salads, or should I just say, make the salads themselves with no help from me. I was working on getting other things done around the house.

Camila Hawkins                           Brooke Hawkins

Later on around 3ish, my great friend Ashlee arrived with her family from Idaho. Ashlee and her family are so fun to be around and such a big help. Ashlee also brought stuff to make a pasta salad for the luncheon which was way yummy and much appreciated! After all the salads were made, we ate dinner and watched Camila Hawkins open up her mission call! So glad we could be there to share this happy moment with her! Camila got called to serve in the Peru Cusco Mission, spanish speaking and is to report in the Peru Missionary Training Center on August 28, 2013. So excited for her, she'll be a great missionary!

Camila opening up her mission call!

The map in the background showed everyone's guesses
which no one guessed Peru.

After Camila opened up her mission call, Ashlee helped me hang up some pictures and finish the baby's room while the men went and picked up some chairs and tables that we borrowed from the church for the luncheon. Ashlee was a huge help and I couldn't have finished the home decor without her. She truly is so talented when it comes to decorating. Ashlee is a great friend and I'm so grateful for her friendship!

Here is Ashlee working on it and the finished product, thanx so much Ashlee!
And thanx Clint for holding Ashlee up on the stairs :)

This is Braxton's growth chart that Sara Plott made for him as a baby gift. She worked on it Sunday morning before the blessing. I'm so glad I didn't have to make it and I appreciate her for offering to make it for me! It turned out really cute and looks even better hanging up! Thanx Sara!

While we were working on the baby's room (as shown finished above), Jackson's brother Travis arrived with his family from Blanding, Utah to stay the night before. We were expecting them and were glad they had arrived safe!

While Ashlee and I were finishing up with hanging pictures I heard the doorbell ring.  It was around 11:30 p.m. and we were not expecting any more company for the night. I looked out the peep hole and saw my sister Melanie from Washington! There stood my sister and her family at our front door! What an awesome surprise! I haven't seen her since Emily came home from her mission (13 months ago!). And come to find out, most everyone knew she was coming except for me, even Jackson knew! It was so great to have her and her family be apart of Braxton's blessing.

Sunday morning arrived and boy did we have a full house, but luckily we got out the door at 10:40 a.m. just in time for church at 11.

Pictures of us getting ready Sunday morning

Skyler Plott and Kadie Staley

Skyler just went right up to Kadie and sat on her lap!

Rylee and Ella on the other chair

Braxton received a beautiful blessing from his father that Sunday April 21, 2013. I couldn't be more proud of Jackson! Just for future reference for Jackson and myself, some of the things Jackson said in the blessing were:
~love and compassion towards his parents and family
~grow to be a strong, healthy, and wise child
~grow strong in the church and have a desire to help out where help is needed
~obtain the priesthood
~serve a mission
~stay strong in the church; teach and preach
~find a companion
~love and compassion towards his wife and children

Jackson's Mission President and his wife surprised Jackson by coming to the baby blessing. It really made Jackson's day to see them come to the blessing. It's been many years since he has seen them. It was great to have them there.

Jackson's Mission President Brother and Sister Tanner

After we left the church, we headed back to our house for the luncheon and to take some family pictures. Lots of pictures were taken with our families, I just posted the ones that I have copies of.

Jackson's brother Brandon and his family

Hawkins family

Hawkins cousins

 Both Grandparents!

Pictures of Braxton in his blessing outfit

After taking pictures, we just hung out around the house, ate lunch, and visited with friends and family. We had such a great turn out for Braxton's baby blessing. We love Braxton a ton and so grateful to have him in our family. Jackson and I also sincerely thank everyone for coming, especially those who had to travel far to get here. We also thank all those who helped us out in preparing and getting the luncheon ready. Overall, it turned out great, we love and appreciate you all!