BIG BIRTHDAY FOR ALLISON BROWN: Thursday, March 28, 2013
Beautiful Allison Brown turns eight years old on Thursday, March 28th. Family members gather throughout the week for Allison's upcoming baptism. Rhonda flies into Columbus late Sunday, March 24th, during a blinding snowstorm. Rod, Linda and Melissa Brown arrive the afternoon of March 28th, just in time for Allie's birthday festivities.
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| Allie Prepares to Open Presents |
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| Last Tricky Candle Won't Die! |
Grandpa Gary flies from College Station to Columbus on Friday evening, arriving just before bedtime. The Dyal family, the largest group traveling to the baptism, makes the three-hour drive from Canton, Michigan, to Columbus early on Saturday.
ALLISON'S BAPTISM DAY: Saturday, March 30, 2013
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| Allison is so excited to be baptized! |
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| Tyler, Kimberly and Six Cute Kids |
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| Gary, Rhonda and Three Beauties |
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| Jessica and Spencer Practice Singing a Duet for Allie's Baptism |
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| Need to Find Logan? Just Look for the Nearest Baby! |
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| Relatives Come from North, South and West for Baptism |
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| Jessica and Allie at Hometown Buffet following Baptism |
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| Four Peas in a Pod -- Enjoying Unlimited Food and Dessert |
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| Two Hours at Hometown Buffet and We're Definitely Stuffed |
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| Afternoon Easter Egg Hunt |
ELIZABETH BROWN'S BLESSING DAY: Easter Sunday, March 31, 2013
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| A Little Princess -- Elizabeth Nicole Brown's Blessing and First Easter |
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| Sacrament Meeting's Over -- Time for Family Photos! |
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| Ten of Seventeen Grandchildren (plus misc. daughters and sons in law) |
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| Sunday Evening -- Bidding a Sad Farewell to the Dyal Family |
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| Mugging for the Camera (our girls do this SO well!) |
SAYING GOODBYE TO GRANDPA GARY: Monday, April 1, 2013
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| It's no April Fool's joke -- Grandpa is flying home today. |
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| Besides Grandma, Carter is always the most sad to see Grandpa leave. |
JACOB BROWN TURNS DOUBLE DIGITS: Saturday, April 6, 2013
Jacob's tenth birthday falls on the Saturday at the end of Spring Break. The whole week seems like a long and festive build up to Jacob's birthday, including a trip to Kirtland, Ohio, with the Brown grandparents on Tuesday and Wednesday; a fast food lunch and the movie "Oz" on Thursday; a Taco Bell lunch and Glow Golfing on Friday.
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| Glow Golfing on Friday, April 5, 2013 |
So what is the grand finale for Jacob's birthday week? Since the long winter seems to be winding down and the weather has gotten a little warmer, Kimberly decides to get an annual pass to the Columbus Zoo. Following a big breakfast at Hometown Buffet, everyone but Tyler and little Elizabeth head for the zoo.
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| William's First Trip to the Zoo |
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| Jacob is Officially Ten Years Old |
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| Basking in the Afternoon Sun |
Kim has food and snacks to eat at the zoo. While lunching, a yellow jacket crawls across our table near the pond -- a scary reminder to Allison of a bee sting she received at the zoo years ago. We also recall a pesky duck that once bit Ethan on the foot while sitting at this very table. It's just surprising to see insects out so soon -- especially after such a cold, wintry week.
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| Carter has red cheeks -- from afternoon sun and speed walking to the car! |
After leaving the zoo, we join Tyler and Elizabeth for dinner at Fazoli's. Then it's back home for more birthday fun.
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| Jacob has lots of birthday presents to open. |
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| And a humongous, cream-filled birthday cookie to eat. |
RHONDA FLIES HOME: Sunday, April 7, 2013
For the first time in recent memory, Rhonda flies on a nice day -- no snow, no terrible turbulence, no delays. Thank goodness, because both legs of this journey are aboard small regional jets. Another visit with loved ones (who live way too far away) goes into our memory book -- beautiful memories of two gorgeous angels in white dresses!
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| Much love to beautiful Allison and her adorable sister Elizabeth! |
