We finally got this baby blessed and Andy did not name her "Dave" as he had threatened to do. If you know Andy, you know he will do just about anything for a laugh, but I guess I successfully persuaded him that even though I am sure Heavenly Father has a sense of humor, I am also sure he wants ordinances performed in a reverent manner.
For those of you who aren't familiar with the Mormon church, we don't do infant baptisms. Children are baptized typically when they are 8 years old (or later, but never before). However, when a baby is born the child's father (again typically it is the child's father) gives the baby a name and a blessing. So, in this instance, Andy gave our baby the name "Evan Alice Howell" to be known by for the rest of her life and then proceeded to "bless" her with gifts, talents, and protections that he felt inspired to give her. When I was an infant I was blessed and given the name "Shawn Diane Rice."
Andy did an amazing job. It truly almost took my breath away to hear him pronounce such a beautiful and well thought-out blessing on our daughter's head. He is truly coming into his own as a father.
Howell family members in attendance Emily (Andy's sister and her 4 kids), Grandma and Granpa Howell, Rusty, Hans, and Danny (Andy's brothers) and Danny's wife and kids.
Thanks Nana (Dean) for the beautiful "princess" dress.
Disclaimer: if this seems like an obnoxious number of pictures of Evan, you are apparently NOT one of her grandparents. :)
We went to Zion National Park for the Fourth and had a great time. It was Evie's first camping trip. She did great. There will definitely be more camping in her future.
From breast to CamelBack, that's my girl!
First public swim: in a frog pond of course!
My lovely scratch thanks to the swim-hole trail.
