Weekend photos

Warning: Epic post ahead.

Description: Heavy on pictures, light on words.

Summary: We had a fabulous time with family, laughed a LOT, ate more, and slept less. We had so much fun!

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Family arrived Friday afternoon.  My brother, Eric, had only visited Colorado Springs once--as a surprise for Zachary's baptism.  Eric's wife, Jentry, was here for the first time. We were so glad to have them, as well as my parents and Garry's parents, with us.

Eric and Jen's son, Beckham (born on Thanksgiving Day), and Kate checked each other out for the first time.  I could not get enough of Beck's big brown eyes.

Lexi adopted Jentry as her special friend.

Grandma entertained the Littles with block towers.

Eric is known as the "family spark plug" for a reason.  He made everything hilarious, from Mike & Ike taste testing to wheelbarrow walking.

Our Saturday morning began early; Zach had a basketball game at 8:30 a.m. Grandparents trekked from their hotels bright and early to support their grandson in action!  This was especially generous of them since Gramps didn't arrive until 1:00 a.m. and Grandpa Bartle had a fitful night of sleep due to recent shoulder surgery.  We love our grandparents!  Zach (#22, and at the foul line below) scored 11 points, including one free-throw, which is a career high for our boy.

Tyler and I practiced his musical number before the baptism, which was at 11:30.  That was a sweet time, and he knew all three verses of the song in time for the performance with his friends.

Garry took this candid shot in the chapel before the baptism services began.  I love all the white clothes.

After the baptism, we had a few friends over for root beer floats.  Eric impressed upon his nephews the importance of sticking with pianos lessons.  He gave them a little concert from their Level 1 books.

Then many of us napped...including Jentry and Beckham, both grandpas, and me.

Some enjoyed a few hands of Phase 10.  The game didn't end until Saturday night.  Zach and Tyler also loved playing Harry Potter Clue with Eric and Jen.  Sometimes Kate joined the group at the table.

On Saturday evening, the sunset was spectacular.

The whole clan went to TGIFriday's for dinner.  Before I knew what was happening, Zach ordered a 16-oz. steak from the adult menu.  Cha-ching!  He loved it.

On Sunday, Garry's parents had to leave for the airport shortly after church.  We wanted to gather the kids for a photo with them.  This is the best one we got.  Haha!  It didn't inspire much confidence for the upcoming three hours of church.

The weather was fantastic on Sunday afternoon, and the boys took full advantage.  (I took another nap.)

That evening we Skyped with my grandparents, aunt, and cousins after dinner.  It was so much fun to see and talk to some of our dear relatives in Utah!  We were quite a crowd in Colorado Springs.

Before bed, Eric gave Beckham his first experience with Don't Eat Pete.  (Eric ate the peanut butter M&Ms they won in the process.)

On Monday, we had our last hurrah at California Pizza Kitchen.  With six smart phones at the table, there was a lot of Facebook posting going on.  Gavin and Lexi learned to play Fruit Ninja.  It was hilarious.

And the company was fabulous.  And the food was delicious.  And then we said good-bye.

I don't think we could have asked for a more joyful celebration for Tyler's baptism.  We are so blessed to have fantastic families.  We are so grateful they joined us for this special occasion, and we can't wait to see them again!