bens baptism day

What an amazing day it was today, because today Ben was baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints!! Time seems to fly by most of the time, but still, it always seemed as though this day was forever away, and now here it was. Because Ben had his last lacrosse game this morning (coming in another post), we scheduled his baptism for this afternoon. His baptism was combined with another boy, Peyton, in his primary class who just moved into our ward.

I put together a program for the baptism, but by the time the meeting started, it had almost completely changed. (Thanks so much to Mom for the time she spent helping me put these together, along with so many other things she helped me with over the weekend!!) Of course, that's a whole other story in and of itself--the doors to the dressing rooms were locked, the curtains to the font were locked, and a bad traffic accident delayed everyone who was coming from north of Salt Lake, but in the end we got started and it was a great meeting. Many thanks to all the family and friends who came out to support Ben today, and for all those who wanted to be there and couldn't.

By the time the boys finally got their baptismal clothes and got them on, we had very little time for pictures, but I did get this cute one of Daren and Ben.

Ben and Peyton were still a bit wet after the meeting was over. It was a great meeting, including the talk Ciera gave on the Holy Ghost for Brenda, who had surgery yesterday and couldn't make it. When I asked Ben tonight what he would remember the most about his baptism, he immediately said, "Ciera's talk." Brenda gave the best talk on this for Ciera's baptism a few months ago, and Ben wanted Brenda to do the same talk today, and although she couldn't come, Ciera filled in and did a great job.

Most of the Mortenson family, and a few Peel's, just after the baptism.

What a nice, helpful, loving, and sweet boy Ben is!! He has had to endure a lot as an oldest child while we, as parents, try to figure out this parenting thing, but he is so good-natured and loving...thank goodness! And even though he loves to tease his brothers, he would do anything for them at any time. Thank you, Ben, for being you, and for being the good example you are to us, your brothers, your friends, and to everyone else--we love you!!! (This is his first tie! Ben changed his clothes so fast when we got home this is about all the pictures I got.)

The party back at our house after the baptism was filled with good family, good food, and fun! (Seriously, if you haven't ever tried Pat's BBQ in Salt Lake, look it up and get there--the best bbq EVER!!) The weather mostly cooperated with only a few sprinkles toward the end of the party.

Ben was thrilled about his new scripture quad. Of course, he did pick it out so he knew it was coming, but when he finally had it in his hands, with his name on it, he was so excited. It was a great day all the way around!

Today was also cousin Garrett's birthday, so they brought a cake along and we all sang happy birthday to him. Isn't he cute in his new glasses?! We topped the day off with Ciera and Garrett sleeping over before we go up to JD and Brenda's ward tomorrow morning where JD will be blessing Sydney Sue. (They are all sleeping downstairs in the movie room! Ben made cute little signs to put at everyone's little beds, "reserving" their spot.) What a great day it has been.