A Baptism and A Fireside

The main event today was Parker's Baptism.  We left at about 12:30p for Tri-Cities.  We had a little extra time, so we stopped by WinCo in Richland to pick up some not-available-in-Moses-Lake treats. Specifically, chocolate covered cinnamon bears.  I also got some roasted pumpkin seeds and buttered-popcorn flavored jelly beans.  I love these things, and they had just the buttered-popcorn... Heaven.

Anyway, after a little shopping, we made our way to the Thayer building for the baptism.  It was beautifully done.  The talks were both very good, and the music was equally so.  I am amazed at all the musical talent in that family.  I'm also jealous of it.  Now I'm going to have to pull out my guitar and re-learn everything.  Here's my sneakily taken shot of Taylor playing the violin:

And Sydney with her Cello!  I knew she played the cello, but I had forgotten she played the cello.

And this handsome man spoke and played the piano beautifully.  (He also got contacts!)

After the baptism, we went to dinner with the Smith's at a local Chinese restaurant.  The food was really good, as was the company.  And you're right, Sheri - I don't think Parker stopped smiling.

After dinner, we said farewell and started home.  We got into Moses just in time for the fireside with Sister Linda K. Burton.  I think we got into the chapel just as the opening song was finishing.  It was a good fireside, but I had a little trouble following Sister Burton.  And then we lost the feed.  Now, this didn't happen until about 8:40-8:45pm.  But we heard Sister Burton say, "in closing" and it sounded like she was wrapping up and bearing her testimony.  Then we lost the feed.  We didn't know what to do.  Our awesome Tech Man (yes, he has been upgraded to superhero status) said that it wasn't on our end.  So he kept trying to connect to the live feed.  Meanwhile, someone suggested we sing the closing song, since it appeared we missed the end of the fireside.  Someone volunteered to conduct, and another to play.  We sang the song, and there were two women heading to the front to offer a closing prayer - when the feed came back.  And Sister Burton was still speaking.  We missed a decent portion of an apparently very emotional story, and within the next few minutes she closed her talk.  Then we sang the closing hymn again.  It was an interesting fireside, to say the least.  Then we headed home and crashed.  It's been a long, full day, all done while dressed in Sunday clothes.