Welcome to Indiana, Evelyn!!!

This past week, we packed our bags and headed northbound to spend some time with family!  Pete had to be away on business, so I talked him into flying in and out of Indy instead of Bentonville so I could introduce Evelyn to our families... welcome her to good 'ol Indiana!  We also decided that it would be the perfect time to baptize her back at our home church where the other girls were baptized and Pete and I were married.  It was a wonderful trip that, although slightly last minute, came together beautifully and was just the family time we all needed:)....

Deacon Paul Lunsford (who just happens to also be my parent's next door neighbor:)), baptized Evelyn who wore a century-old gown that has been passed down through my father's family.  It was special to me that my brother, Aaron, and youngest sister, Anna, accepted their role as God parents to Evelyn.  They are incredible people inside and out and I know will be a wonderful gift to little miss as she grows- especially in her faith.

Evelyn was a trooper all through mass- even when the cool water and oils went on her forehead.  I have to admit, miss thang has been known to fly off the handle, so I wasn't sure how she would do, but she was totally content watching everyone... and I think being in Daddy's arms the whole time helped ;).

Aaron + Anna

I can thank you enough for being Evelyn's God parents.  It means so much to Pete and I that she have great people in her life encouraging and helping her and I know that you both are the perfect people for that.  Meant so much you being there- she's a blessed little girl for sure!

And one big sister was EATING IT UP!!!  First day in Indiana and she was surrounded by all her family: both sets of grandparents, most of her aunts and uncles, and her great grandparents... Heaven on Earth for Ms. Harper Grace!

...and Ms. Maggie was enjoying herself as well:)!

 

Welcome to the church Ms. Evelyn Marie! 

We were sooooo excited to have Pete's family there to celebrate with us!  What a blessing to have Pete's grandparents, Mable and Bob, there with us.... and Ms. Maggie was STOKED to have Grandma and Grandpa there!

After mass it was time to head back to the O'Connell abode to celebrate the best way we know how: amazing food and hanging out altogether!

Thank you, Mom from preparing all the yumminess- it was FAB and festive!

That following day, Pete flew to Minneapolis for his meetings and we enjoyed some much needed down time with family.  The weather was beautiful so we got out to enjoy some fun activities together and go out to eat (a real treat for the girls and I!!)  My brother just so happened to be headed up to Minneapolis to pick up his plane that had been serviced there... well, Pete lucked out and was able to come back a day early from his trip, riding alongside Aaron in his plane!!  From the looks on their faces when they landed it looked to be a crazy, fun time... I know Pete really appreciated Aaron offering to fly with him.

So, of COURSE upon their return a certain 4-year-old was a little jealous of the air time her Daddy got- ha!  I also had not been in the plane, so Harper and I started slow... first we just taxied around and sat while Aaron filled the plane up with gas, but Harper wasn't satisfied- she HAD to be Uncle Aaron's co-pilot!

 

So here we are about ready to take off- headsets on and ready for action!!!

...and away we flew!!!!

Thank you SOOOO much, Aaron, for making Harper's week with that flight... she had an absolute blast up in the sky with you, talking to you through the head set, and waving to everyone down on the ground- love it!!!!

 

Maggie decided Nana's house would be the perfect place to cut THREE teeth- oh boy!  Good news is that between ALL of us, we were able to keep her comfortable and happy MOST of the time- ha!

We were lovin' being able to spend so much time outside with everyone... this was some random game at a restaurant where you hook the washer to a hook on PVC pipe- who would have thought it could be so entertaining and HARD!

 ...and Nana pulled through to make sure little miss had her nails 'Frozen ready'... blue sparkly nail polish complete with snowflakes painted on the big toes- Harper loved it... thank you, Nana!

 Our great friends, the Elliotts, moved to Chicago last year and we've missed them dearly!!!!!  Jessica and kiddos were up for meeting halfway between Indianapolis and Chicago for lunch and playtime- it was wonderful!  I swear it was if Harper and Emma had never been separated- they were squealing as they ran and hugged each other right away- so sweet!!!  Emma's younger brother, Jackson, was ADORABLE with baby Evelyn- asking to hold her and everything- love them!!

Miss you, Elliott family, so so much!!!  Can't wait until August when we can get together again!!!

This final picture pretty much sums up the week at my parents' house: things may be a little more complicated with 3 little ones, but it never got in the way of the fun- we embraced it- ha!  Got to love walking up to feed the horses with the double stroller fully loaded and the wagon ready for business... hehe!

Thank you Indiana for welcoming Evelyn, and her family;)), with open arms!!  Thank you, family, for all the fun times- gosh whenever we're all together its as if no time has passed.  We miss you all already and look forward to being back up that way in August.  Love you guys!