Shaw Squad: Sydney's baptism

Sydney has been eagerly waiting for her baptism for a year. She's been reading the Book Of Mormon everyday for the last year. We read it with her in the morning, but she's not content about just reading it, we have to explain what's going on. She also started planning out her program for her baptism about 4 months in advance. The week before her baptism she was beside herself; she couldn't stop saying, "I wish it was my baptism this morning." Here's her announcement and pictures in front of the Gilbert Temple.

Well her baptism morning finally came, January 11th at 9am. My parents, Jeff's parents and grandparents came and two of Jeff's brothers. Sydney was smiling the entire time. Her Uncle Chris said the opening prayer, Grandma Karen talked on Baptism, then the baptism (witnesses were Grandpa Koehler and Grandpa Tim), then Sydney played the violin and sang for the musical number after her baptism, Gammie talked on the Holy Ghost, presentation from Primary, and the Bishop gave remarks, and then Uncle Tyler gave the closing prayer. It was cute when I was helping Sydney changed after she got baptized she said, "I was smiling even when I was under the water." Then she said, "I'm excited for the treats at home, but I know that's not the important thing. Getting baptized is what is important." So much wisdom to this little girl. She had decided to play the violin at her baptism a long time ago. It wasn't until the week before that she told me she was going to sing too. She's so brave to do that in front of some many people. The RS room was full of family and friends. Her musical number definitely brought the spirit to the room and made the occasion so much sweeter.
I'm so happy for Sydney that SHE made the chose to enter the waters of baptism and follow Jesus Christ. She is so obedient, enthusiastic about the gospel, and a great example to her younger siblings and Jeff and I included. So far since her baptism I have heard her say, "Mom, Jordyn is bugging me and I don't want to hit her and sin. Can you talk to Jordyn." I've also seen her jump on the trampoline and then see her stop jumping, fold her arms and pray. Once she said she prayed because her leg was hurting her. I love this girl to pieces!
After we had a get together at our home. In November I saw a book called, The Holy Ghost is like a Blanket, and thought it would be cool to make her a quilt and give her this book. I told her I wanted to make her a quilt (my first one) and asked what colors she wanted and it would be a surprise how it turned out. She picked red and turquoise. I made it and put CTR in the middle. That color scheme then inspired colors for the rest of the food at our get together. She loved the quilt and so did I. My friend Kirsten finished the quilt on her machine. I had another friend make the cool CTR cake and then I made the CTR cookies and CTR pretzel rods. Sydney was excited for all the attention, goodies, and getting baptized and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost. It was a wonderful day for a wonderful girl.