Nya's Baptism

Our friend's daughter, Nya, was baptized a few weeks ago...in the Puget Sound! She and Kylie share the same birthday, January 19. They have similar personalities; both are very smart, determined, stubborn, not afraid to say what's on their mind, and love to do crazy things! I'm convinced that people born on January 19 are very special.

Lilian, Nya's mom, told us that Nya was determined to be baptized in the Puget Sound. She wouldn't listen to suggestions that she put it off until it was "warmer" in June or July. She said, "The Spirit will keep me warm." And it did. Nya didn't even flinch when she stepped into the freezing cold water. The Spirit kept all of us who were watching warm, too.

We've known Nya since she was a baby. She took her first steps in our living room. She calls Brad and I "papa Brad" and "mama Jenny". Granted, she has several "papas" and "mamas" on Bainbridge Island. She's an amazing girl and so many people love her.

After the baptism, we had dinner at our house with Lilian, Nya, the Reynolds family (Ryan baptized Nya) and the Nakeas. The Reynolds hold a special place in our hearts, too. We used to get together and play wild games of Rook late into the night, one of which ended with panty-hose clad Brad and Ryan buying Preparation-H at Safeway at 11:00 at night. Sorry, I don't have any pictures of that!

Lilian made this amazing black forest cake to celebrate Kylie and Nya's birthday. (8 plus 13 equals 21, if you're wondering why there's a 21 on the cake. )

We had to get in one bout of craziness with the Reynolds before they went home, so we attempted a human pyramid...

I couldn't hold onto Ben and get Jake up at the same time, so down it came!

And here's a picture of part of Nya's "family"...

top: Angi, Ryan, Robert, Cindy, Lilian. middle: Jenny, Jillian, Josie, Mia, Nathan, Nya. bottom: Jake, Brad, Ben, Thys, Kylie