When we get together.....we get together!

When the family gets together after evening chores are done.....

Seriously, when the Dunyons say they are having a party, we have a Par-tay!

Because my family is so awesome, and we love getting together, three out of my four awesome sisters decided to celebrate their children's big days all in one weekend at my parents house.  So what did we get this time....2 baptisms and a baby blessing Labor Day Weekend!

So lucky us, we didn't just get to celebrate with the Dunyon side of the family, but also our adopted families....the Grays, the Eckersleys, and the Baillios!

Here is my cute sister, her husband, and her sweet boy, Nathan who turned 8 in August and has been so fun watching him grow up from a baby into a fun-loving 8 year-old.  I love having him live close, and Cole feels like he's his brother.  We feel so lucky he likes coming to play at our house!

And here's my other cute sister and her loveable son, Andrew, who was so willing to wait a whole month and a half to be baptized so he could be part of this celebration.  Thanks Andrew!

It was great to see that most of my family made it there for these special ordinances that took place this weekend.  I remember during the meeting, as my dad spoke to the two boys about the Holy Ghost and how we have to listen to the still small voice in order to hear our Heavenly Father, it made me so appreciative to my parents for all the things they have taught me and my children and how amazing examples they are to me of what a family is and should be.  We are here for each other, through thick and thin, through our likes and dislikes, our disputes and our agreements.  I sat in that room loving each and everyone who was there and missed those of my family who weren't there.  I am so lucky to have the gospel and I hope these two boys know what a great decision they made in becoming a member of the Church of Jesus Christ this special day and the blessing it will be to them for the rest of their lives.  I'm so proud of you both, Nathan and Andrew.

So here's a few pictures of the post baptism feast....Thanks for the yummy Lasagne, Kim! A-MAZ-ING as usual!

Sarah and baby Sam

 Jeff's family came from near (Thousand Oaks) and far (29 Palms) to join us and it just wouldn't be the same without Sandy, Dave, and Eric joining us.  I've missed seeing you around these past two years.

 

 Of course, the girls table....Ellie, Kate, and Haley

 These two are two peas in a pod....so excited to have Jarem live close!

 Jill playing games with all the kids

 Max, we'd like to think he was on trash duty, but he just liked to push the trash can around.  Maybe a future janitor?  Either way, he's cute.

 A proper get together just wouldn't be complete without these two....Grandma and Grandpa Storer....you're simply the best!

We also got some time with Lisa and Willie too!  They are awesome to put up with all the Dunyon craziness!

Scott....need I say more?

 Ryan was a total fan of the breadsticks....go figure, Jenny made them!

 And Emma - how could you not just love this face?!  I love the fact that she kindly asked me, "So Wendy, why didn't you come to my baptism?"  I guess the distance between New York and Utah didn't quite sink in, but don't worry Emma, I won't miss it next time! :)

 And here's one face that just spells out trouble...Devan.  Love this kid and can't believe he's a teen, I remember when he was just a baby....awwww.

 I think that this is such a sweet picture and reminds me of when Max was born and how Lizzie just wanted to hold Max for just a few seconds and then run off and play.  I miss those days and grateful I took many pictures like this one for the memories.

 

 And last but not least, here's my adorable, sweet baby boy....I mean sister, who was willing to share her sweet baby this weekend with all of us hugging and loving on Sam when he was only 1 month old.  It's not easy looking this good a month after having a baby, but somehow, she managed to pull it off!  Thanks Sarah for putting the icing on the cake!

 

 And thanks to great parents, who still love each other so much, and love having all the craziness and confusion and make us feel so welcomed every time we come home.  Just when one of us leaves, it seems like another one of us comes home.  I love these two crazy kids!

 

And just as a side note.....because I have made some awesome lifetime friends in my early years, you know, the kind that you don't talk to for years, and then call out of the blue and it seems like no time has passed at all....Pepper and Michael were so great and willing to take us in for the weekend, share their home, their kids (which Cole and Nels had a blast together!), their beds, and their fun car!  Michael pulled it out the morning we had to leave and let us take it around the block with the kids.  After that, I think the kids just kept asking, "So dad, when are you going to get one of these?"

Seriously, a great weekend, great friends and family, and so many great memories!  A Labor Day weekend to remember!

Kate - I can see this in the future

 Cole

 Lizzie

 We can't wait til we get to visit again!