KELSIE'S BAPTISM

A bunch of us went to Santa Rosa, California for a very special occasion... Kelsie's baptism on July 12th, 2008. There were other fun aspects of the trip but I will share those on the next blog.

This is cute Kelsie Renee Pead. She is one smart, beautiful, organized, chocolate loving sweetheart. It was fun to see how much she has grown up and it was really fun for Kialie and Laycee to meet her (at least when they were old enough to remember). They met and were together every minute they could be from then on.

The three amigas

We are so proud of Kelsie and her decision to be baptized. Laycee and Kialie and the other kids are excited to follow her great example.

Good job Kelsie.

The program was very nice with the talks on Baptism and the Holy Ghost helping us all remember or learn the importance and reason for baptism and the blessing of having the Holy Ghost with us. Kendall sang the song Baptism and it was as beautiful as ever.

Kelsie and Grandpa Hillstead

The cute Kendall and Sheri Pead Family

Friends and family supporting Kelsie

Kelsie was baptized by her daddy, Kendall, and confirmed by her Grandpa Hillstead. Heavenly Father and Jesus are so glad to welcome her as an official member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day saints.

STAMPEAD 2008

Here is one half of the reason why we are all here and have the family that we do... George "Budd" Pead. The cutest grandpa in the whole world. He will be 94 years old in November and still gets a long quite well, but definitely seems to be getting tired. Oh how he misses grandma!!

When Amber took the picture he of course made the joke of 'Oh no another broken camera'

Aunt Donna made a quilt and it was of pictures of Grandma and Grandpa in various times of their lives. I was talking to grandpa and he teared up talking about it and how some of those pictures he didn't even remember and 'wasn't grandma beautiful'. We are lucky to have the grandparents we have and to see through great examples how to love unconditionally and to serve continuously throughout our lives. The quilt was raffled off and Tracy Denney won it but she gave it to Aunt Jeanette. It was agreed that anyone who got it would give it to grandpa until he no longer was here and then they would get it. So, grandpa has it so he can enjoy it.

The 'Stampead' started on Thursday June 19th and ended Sunday June 22nd. It was held at Soldier Hollow by Midway, Utah. We have been here a few times before and a lot of us really like it because it is just our family there. We can just hang out and not worry about sharing space with strangers (at least un-related strangers :^) There were, according to my calculations, 162 of us there. Which now days is barely a portion.

It was so nice to see everyone and to visit with the different relatives. There was a slip and slide for the kids and it was a big hit. This led later to an even larger slip and slide on the hill where bigger kids and the really big kids slid down the plastic and if they went too far they ended up in the mud. Spender (Joanie's husband) ended up winning the yearly Stampead trophy for the best face plant in the mud.

Jacob and Mason got a big Wiffle ball game started and people played until they could no longer see the ball. I think the score was something like 25 to 21. It was definitely hot but the shade made it quite bearable. There is a huge tree that has been split and then grown almost flat to the ground that all the kids loved to climb on and in. Mostly it was just great to relax and be away from the regular grind. Next year we are the family in charge and we are already talking about some fun things we want to do...