Nicolas and Elle's Baptism Party

After the Church service we all went to my sister Janice's house for a party.  There was a yummy taco bar with cook's on site and lots of yummy desserts.  The best part was having so many friends and family together.  Many people came from Oregon for the celebrations. 

Ken, Sonia and Nicolas - who loves to stick his tongue out

Nick, Elle and Dana - color coordinated, but of course :)

Sonia, Nicolas, Amelia and (my cousin) Megan.  Nicolas and Amelia are a month a part.  If was fun seeing them play together.

I tried to get some decent shots of them together.  Nicolas just wanted to nibble on Elle's yummy dress.

Amelia and Nicolas are all smiles but Elle just won't look my way.

Oh well.  At least they are all happy here!!

Practicing crawling can prove to be a challenge on tile floors....

Uh oh.  Sorry, Amelia!!

Sonia and her buddies "Jiji" (her flower girl) and her twin brother "Bubu."  They are going to have a new baby in their family this Fall!

We closed out the afternoon with a little present opening.  Elle and Nicolas received many nice gifts in honor of their baptism.  I gave Elle her first birthday gifts a month early.  Some clothes and her first Madame Alexander doll.  She loves how the eyes open and close, open and close.  Precious!!!

What a fun filled family weekend.  Next gathering will be the wedding... 09/09/11!!!!!!!

Nicolas and Elle's Baptism Photos

Nicolas and Elle's Baptism was beautiful today. Our aunt, uncle, cousins, and many close friends came to witness this special occasion.  It was so neat to create the tradition of having Elle and Nicolas Baptised in the same Church that they were Baptised in 1982.

Nicolas and his parents.  Doesn't he look so adorable in his suit and hat?!

Elle (who can't stop biting her fingers ~ teething time!) and her parents



I baptise you, Elle Julianne Everett, in the name of The Father and The Son and The Holy Spirit

I baptise you, Nicolas Kenneth Hughie, in the name of The Father and The Son and The Holy Spirit

With LaLa

With Nana and Papa

With Uncle Bo

Elle wore the beautiful baptismal gown that my mom made.  My nephew Andrew also wore in in 1993.  I look forward to my future children wearing it at the dedications.

My Uncle Howard and Aunt Ginni (my brother's brother and wife) have 4 daughters and 9 grandchildren .  All 4 daughters and many of the grandchildren were all here to celebrate Elle and Nicolas.  Here they are with their daughter Melissa and family.

YAY!  Thanks for stopping by to see our baptism pics!  The party pics will follow!!!!

Elle Belle

Elle Julianne ~ 11 months old and visiting us in Southern California to celebrate her baptism.

Happy girl Elle modeling her Rosary from Aunt Janice and cute outfit from Genie.  She's so excited to get to go swim in the pool!

My favorite pic of Elle from the weekend.  Oh how I love that brown eyed girl!  Both Elle and Nicolas have beautiful brown eyes... a trait not inherited from the Hughies.

And look at all of that hair!

Styling shades

I love how intently she is looking at Timothy ~ her Uncle Bo.

She's studying his expressions and asessing the situation.

 And now she's eyeing the pool!

 But first a little love from sun Godess, Aunt Sonia...

...and a quick squeeze from Uncle Ken.

We love you Elle Julianne!  So glad to have you with us in California.

Hughie Family Photos

It's been 17 years since all of the Hughies (my parents, siblings and their families and myself) have all been together in one place at one time.  We live throughout the country and distance tends to keep us from all being together.  This made a family photo shoot a requirement!  I took on the project of hiring a photographer and coordinating the details to make it happen.  Since my parents live in an itty bitty town and it was the day before Christmas eve, it wasn't so easy to find an available and affordable photographer to take on the job.  I went the economical route (although it wasn't exactly cheap) and hired a local photographer.  She captured some great shots, but her editing skills weren't stellar and her pricing for getting the prints printed (or the digital file for that matter) were astronomical.  What was supposed to be a relatively simple process turned into some heated negotiating.  I was able to eventually get the disk AND my friend Melvin saved the day and artistically edited the images (although he refused to remove the under eye baggage...ugh).  I'm so grateful to have these shots.  I love them and know that they will be treasured.  Especially for my parents to have a photo with have their entire family in one shot!

My mom and dad and their beloved Jake.  They will celebrate 50 years of marriage in 2 years.  5 children, 2 daughter in laws, 2 (almost 3) son in laws, and 6 grandkids.  They have created quite a family and a legacy as well.

Child #1 Janice (Graffius) and her family: husband Mark and sons Gregory and Andrew.  (Along with the snowman that my brother David and family created!)

Child #2 David and his family: wife Julie and sons Caleb and Mason

Child #3 Ken and his family:  wife Sonia and son Nicolas

Child #4 Melinda Marie with dad and mom (family to follow, smile)

Child #5 Dana (Everett) and her family: husband Nick, daughter Elle and dog George

LOVED all of the snow.  It really felt like Christmas with the winter wonderland.  Somehow the beach and palm trees just doesn't feel the same.

Andrew (age 17) and Gregory (20)

Mason (6) and Caleb (7)

Elle Julianne (6 months)

Nicolas Kenneth (2 months)

LaLa and her nephews and niece

Nana and Papa Oregon and their grandchildren

The original Hughies ~ party of seven!

L-O-V-E