Sophia's Baptism

It was a starring role for a junior diva.  Sophia Ebert was baptized December 26, 2013.  She was Princess-for-a-Day in her white dress and tiers of lace, posing here with her pretty cousin, Alyssa.  Sophia reigned at the baptism and confirmation ceremony, and at the luncheon afterwards, with poise and grace. 

 

The Spendloves, Flindts, and Eberts gathered at Steve's parents' ward for the baptism.  The Relief Society room was filled with Sophia's admirers.  There were Sophia's brothers and sisters (other than Jono, who was home sick), and her Spendlove cousins...

Sophia's Ebert cousins...

Grandma and Grandpa Spendlove...

Grandma and Grandpa Ebert...

 

Jonny, Jenny, Mike, Juliana, Lisa playing the piano, and Sophia's Ebert aunts and uncles.

 

The little kids wandered around, hugging each other and making faces.

 

Jenny cuddled Sophia in her baptism suit.

Emilie, Annelise, Grandpa Spendlove, Grandma Ebert, and Camille gave talks, and Jonny read Jono's talk.

 

 

Sophia asked, "Can I say something, too?"  She then bore her testimony.  The Eberts' bishop, who was presiding, was impressed.  He said he had a son just Sophia's age that he'd like her to meet!

Sophia gave hugs and handshakes to all the priesthood holders who confirmed her a member of the Church.

Marilyn Ebert hosted lunch at her house after the baptism, complete with soup, chicken sandwiches, and frosted sugar cookies in the shape of an "S".

 

 

 

 

 

Christmas 2012

The 2012 Spendlove Christmas began on Christmas Eve, as Calders, Spendloves, Flindts, and Eberts gathered for chicken tortilla soup and the Christmas story.  We took turns sharing a special memory from 2012, many of them trips.  They ranged from Camille's blitzkrieg through Europe to Grant's "trip" working on the Romney campaign, from Elizabeth interning with a German bank to Jonny and Jenny visiting Machu Pichu.  Lisa described touring the Pacific coast and Lake Arrowhead, Gretta and Dave mentioned their return to Burma, and Michael told about his year in Australia.  A very special highlight from 2012 was Michael Flindt's mission call.

Of course, Christmas Eve included Scott's family singing "Hang Up the Baby's Stocking" (with a new baby, Grant's Lulu), and Gretta reading Luke Chapter Two from the old Calder Bible. 

On Christmas morning, we gathered again, for nutella and berry crepes, and then to open gifts.

Kyle was best-dressed, in his reindeer hat.

 

Grandma Gretta laid out the grandkids' picture books, Toblerones, and chocolate oranges.

The kids scrambled to see what outrageous, unflattering snapshots Grandma Gretta had included, along with a few gems.

 

The Flindt and Ebert children shared the pleasure of opening and sharing their gifts.

 

Before scattering, we posed for a family portrait.  Michael Flindt is leaving on a mission in April and Spencer and Grant will quickly follow.  We may not be all together again for many years.

 

 

 

Back Home in Brazil...

Michael's friend, Juliana, joined us for Christmas.  She is from southern Brazil, of Italian descent, and a great cook.

Jonny spent two years in northern Brazil on his mission and is also a great cook.

All of us love Salt Lake City's Rodizio Grill, with its rich Brazilian meats and salads.  It was clear what our family party on December 23 should be--a Brazilian feast!

Jonny and Gretta prowled Whole Foods Market and specialty Hispanic grocery stores, assembling the meats, black beans, and farina for the Brazilian national dish, fejoida.

 

 

Jonny made the Brazilian limeade "limonada", and Gretta made flan.

Juliana made sautéed kale to accompany the fejoida and pavlova, a classic Brazilian dessert made of chocolate and vanilla puddings and ladyfingers.

The gang was all there, with Lisa's and Camille's children greeting each other like long-lost friends, which they were.  There was Spencer, Grant, and Jono...

Michael K, with his reading matter, just like Grandma encourages...

Ezra...

Sophia and Alyssa...

Emilie and Kirsten...

 

 

Annelise whispering secrets to Jenny...

Mike and Lisa...

Kyle and Steve...

Grandpa and Sophia...

and Grandma and Darrell.

 

 

And the party was ON! 

The Christmas Story

Jonny joined me on December 16, 2012, to teach the Christmas lesson to the CTR Bs in Primary.

Jonny told a bit about Chicago and a bit about Peru, from which he had just returned.  (Lillian's parents later reported that one thing they always heard about, from their three children whom Gretta taught, was our family trips...mingled with scripture.)  Jonny then read from Luke as my students acted out the Christmas story.  Catherine was Mary and Ben was Joseph.  Lillian hovered over everyone as the angel, with her striped wings and polka dot tights.

The Two Kings relaxed on their fold-up chairs, chatting with their camel.  (Jack wanted to be the camel, and the Kings rode him from the door to their chairs.)

A King then offered the Christ child something nearly as sweet as frankincense--a spray of Gretta's cologne.

 

Gretta sprawled, exhausted, after it was over.  There's nothing like a Primary class for a good work-out, spiritual and physical!