3 or 4 months ago my brother and his wife, Danny and Kristi, called and asked if I could help them with a huge surprise. They wanted to fly out here (from Florida) to bless their new little Jackson so that both their families could be at his blessing- but keep it a secret until they arrived. When my sister, Jen, heard they were coming she decided to drive her family up too (from Arizona)! It was really fun to plan and lie to my family through the holidays. Ha ha. I decided to bless Maggie at the same time so calendars would be marked ahead of time. Everyone in my family was together for the event- first time we could all be together for a long time.
The Wednesday before the blessings I planned a "half way through winter" pizza party. This is where Danny's family and Jen's family made their grand appearances:
Here's a picture of my brother Danny with some very happy nieces and nephews!
Little Macey Mae
Lily and Briana
Eric trying to figure out a lego snowman he won in Bingo
Dad doing the same
Parker, Maren, Macey
Lincoln, Elena (look at that cute fuzz growing back!), Atticus, Sophie- hanging out at the prize table
Mom, baby Jackson, Christy, Kristi
Saturday, January 29th, the two babies were blessed by their Dad's. I'm grateful to be married to Ryan. I'm grateful he holds the Priesthood.
The entire Hoffman family
The entire Hoffman family
Jackson Alan Hoffman
Kristi, Danny, Jackson
Margaret Marie Strong: possibly the most angelic little chunk around.
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She was blessed in my blessing dress, as was Josephine.
Mags: 5 months, Me: 26, Atticus: 2, Ryan: 30, Jo: 3
Thanks To Christy for taking the blessing pictures! You rock. And thank you to everyone who helped with the meal. I couldn't have done it without everyone's kindness. And, last but not least, thank you to Eric and Jen and Danny and Kristi for coming to visit! What a sacrifice. Thank you. I love you guys!
That looks so fun! Family is the best thing ever.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for orchestrating it all! What a wonderful few days it was! And I love your pictures.
ReplyDeletei think you guys get a vote for the best secret keepers ever. seriously impressive. :)
ReplyDeleteit was such a neat thing, i thought, to be able to bless both babies in the same day. even if it was a little crazy, i thought it was beautiful.
maggie's eyes and face look SO much like ryan to me in those blessing outfit pics.
it was a seriously great weekend. i'm still a little offended that you kept that secret from me. ah ha. how fun that you took pictures at the party! they are fun to see. and look! i'm even in one! this never happens. :) little maggie is so cute. it's kind of fun to do the blessing at this rolly polly stage. she's so darling!
ReplyDeleteHOW FUN! The best surprise. Both babies are darling. and I love that you did a half way through winter party! but seriously, are we only half way done? ugh
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