John's Baptism

During Memorial Day weekend, we were very fortunate to be able to have all of our family in town for the Baptism of our baby boy! It was an extra-special Baptism at that, as it was a double baptism -- our nephew Jackson (Mike and Casey's baby boy) and John were baptized together! Mike and Case were in town for Casey's mother's retirement, and it worked out great to have the boys baptized at the same time! John was just 2 weeks old, and Jackson was 8 weeks old.

Everyone was in town, from both sides of our family, for the blessed occasion! Thanks to each of you for making the effort to be there and to support our John in the start of his spiritual journey as a brand new little Catholic! :) We had a GREAT time seeing everyone, and here are some (ok, a lot of) photos from the Baptismal festivities:

John and us with John's wonderful Godparents -- Mark and Laura (Andy's sister) Asmussen:

Jackson and his parents with Jackson's Godparents -- his Uncle Pat (Mike's brother) and Aunt Carey (Casey's sister):
John getting a blessing from Father Jim (Andy's and my priest for 7 years now. He's also the one who married us... he's wonderful!):
First, Jackson was baptized:
And then it was John's turn!

Mark, the Godfather, lighting John's candle:
Proud parents of the newest little Catholic! :)

Us with Andy's parents -- Pinkie and Pa:
Jenny (Abby's sister), Jae and Ethan made it up from Houston:
Joe (Abby's brother), Mandi and their girls also made it, but we somehow didn't get a photo with them :-/

Here's a photo with our beloved Father Jim:
Our handsome little Catholic! (Check out those booties! :) He wore the same outfit as his cousins Kolbe and Reagan, and he was snuggled in an afghan that his Gramma knitted):
The entire Bergman Family:
The entire Hefferly Family:
Gramma and Gramps with all 4 grandkids:
Pinkie and Pa with all 4 grandkids:
Another with John's Godparents:
An attempt to get all 4 Hefferly grandsons together in a photo...
And one of many attempts to get all 4 Bergman grandkids in a photo together...
...Ethan finally had enough and just gave up! It was hysterical! :-D
Mike and Case, us, and our newly baptized boys:
Us with John's Gramma and Gramps:
Here's a photo with John snuggled in the afghan that his Great-Grandmother, Helen Gaschen (Andy's mom's mom), knitted for the Hefferly family when she was in chemotherapy before passing away in 1992. It's extra-special, too, since John was named after his Great-Grandfather John Gaschen:
A cute one of Gramps and Ethan:
After the Baptism, Andy and Mike's Aunt Lulu and Uncle Chris hosted the after-party/lunch at their beautiful new home! (Thank you so much!) We all had a great time! Though I didn't take near as many photos ;)

The Hefferly kids all together -- Mike, Andy, Laura, Dave, and Pat:
So of course that led to settin' off the vibe (started by Harry and Lloyd in Dumb and Dumber, perfected by the Hefferly boys)...
Especially by Patty:
Here's a second attempt to get a photo of the Hefferly grandsons together... don't mind Kolbe in his underwear... ;) He got wet playing in the backyard fountain:
John with his Pinkie, Uncle P, and Aunt Casey:
Jackson and his Aunt Laura:
And this is why everyone claims Jackson is Mike's mini-me! Quite the spittin' image of his dad!
Well that's it! Thanks again to all the family for making it that weekend -- we had such a fun time! Lots of grilling out and good ol' family time! :) We know it's pretty rare to have everyone together, so we're so grateful it happened!

The week following the Baptism, Jenny and Ethan stayed in town to help us out. We had a great time (thanks again, Jen!), and I will try to post photos from that week soon! John is growing so quickly -- hard to believe he's already 4 weeks old!

Take care and God bless!
Love,
Abby, Andy, John, and Wayne-Dog :)