Zach's Baptism and 8th Birthday Celebration

Zach goes over the program before his baptism.

Zach blows out all his eight candles. Yea!!!

Worn out Andrew takes a cat nap on Grandma's lap.

After returning from Branson, we went on up to Collinsville to be there for Zach's birthday and baptism. He has been very excited about both. Eight is a very special age for him -- he got to get baptized and he got to go into cub scouts. He went to cub scout day camp all of the week starting on his actual birthday. He told me about hitting the target in archery and showed me the pet crickets he got at camp. Their names are Cricket and Potter.

Zach's baptism was a very good experience for all of us. I didn't get many pictures taken though; I'll have to ask Amy to share her pre-baptism photos with me. Most of the family on both sides were able to attend. Mike Phillips baptized him, Alan gave a talk on baptism, Mike Jacobs gave one on the gift of the Holy Ghost, the females in the family sang, and Zach shared his testimony. Zach gave his dad a very special memory too. After the baptism Mike knelt down in front of Zach; Zach threw his arms around Mike and hugged him tight for a long time. It was great. After the baptism, we went back to Mike & Amy's to eat and visit. We also had cheesecake (Zach's request for his birthday cake) and he got to open presents and go play with his cousins. All in all -- a good day.