[God]father's Day 2013

I've had the privilege of accepting various honors over the years. You know, sports letters and trophies, academic awards, mentions in the newspaper...but none of these compared to how touched I felt when Emily and Greg asked if Taylor and I would be their daughter's godparents. 

We arrived at Casa Lagreid Friday evening and just like every other visit, we chowed and chatted...drank a few brews and sang a few tunes. Emily planned a pre-Baptismal party for friends and family in the area, and she let me take the reins in the food department. We whipped up quite a few hors d'oeuvres Saturday morning, and then we grazed all day long until said guests arrived. Our girl KVH came to the par-tay but had to take off before the big show because she just happened to be climbing Mt. Rainier the next day. NBD, right?

The Lagreids' church is literally right around the corner from their house, so we buzzed on over for the Saturday evening service. The congregation welcomed the newest member of the church, and we felt such pride and honor standing up on the altar with Em and Greg. Taylor and I gifted baby L with a book of prayers and a ceramic night light, similar to one I received at my baptism. 

It was fairly emotional for me, especially, as baptism is a sacrament, which means "to make sacred" or as the priest who married us described, "a sacred moment." The priest who preformed Lily's baptism gave a thought-provoking homily about the meaning of parents and godparents (since it happened to be Father's Day weekend), and he hammered home the point of raising up children right. Poignant and moving.

We are so blessed to have such flat-out amazing friends in Emily and Greg. It's an effortless and rewarding friendship, that just seems to keep getting better with time. I sometimes laugh out loud when I think about meeting Emily ten years ago...as my next-door neighbor in the dorms at Wazzu...and reminiscing about some of the situations we got ourselves into throughout our four years together in college. Two weddings and a baby later, it's like we never skipped a beat when we meet up. 

Thank you, Team Lagreid, for bestowing this amazing honor upon us. We promise to help be your baby's moral compass should either of you become "deadbeat Catholics" as your priest so lovingly described. We love you! XOXO 

Auntie Kate just had to snag these sandals for L. Might be a pinch too big.

Beer of the moment. 

It's good to see Taylor get in on the duet action.

Fat cats.

The star of the show.

Good thing that badminton set got assembled. 

Ten years of friendship.

Of course there is a story behind this one...

Greg really loved that brie en croute! 

Em, KVH, and Lily.

Emily's mom made Lily's baptismal gown out of leftover fabric from the wedding gown she made Emily. Precious.

Peonies from the farmer's market. So fun to get to walk around the market with Em and sort of live her typical Saturday (well, besides the whole baptism thing). We also really enjoyed a long run on the fantastic trail system just a stone's throw from their house. 

Placing the while stole on Lily's shoulders.

Uncle Taylor lighting the baptismal candle. 

The whole group. Special shout-out to the stranger in the pew behind us who graciously took the photos of the actual baptism. I sort of just threw the camera at her, and she took some great snaps.