The Martinez Family: baptism

I don't know how Mormon baptisms work in other states but until we moved back here I always just assumed that we would get to pick the day our kids got baptized. Sadly, that's not the case. We were given the day after Halloween as the day for the twins baptism. I was less than thrilled with that day because I am not a morning person. Especially on the weekends, and who wants to wake up early the day after Halloween and set up a baptism? If that sounds like your kind of fun, then in my opinion, you are crazy. Sorry.

We got the baptism invites out nice and early and then I basically just procrastinated and waited until the very last minute to make a decision about food for the baptism. We lucked out that we were the only baptism scheduled for our Stake Center that day so the twins had the baptismal font and the primary room all to themselves and we were able to invite as many people as we wanted and set up a table of treats IN the primary room instead of having to organize a luncheon somewhere else. But nothing stresses me out more than buying food for large groups of people. My first choice would have been to skip the food part all together and then have just our immediate family go out to lunch after. But this is Utah and I guess here everyone feels the need to keep up with the Jones' and do what is "expected" of them. I felt like I was "expected" to put food out for people. My choice for food was to do a breakfast: bagels, fruit, juice. You know, the kind of food you'd want to have left over. But Kendrick felt like cookies and brownies would be easier so that is what we did. Because why not fill people up with even more sugar the day after Halloween? I'm sure parents at the baptism LOVED us...not!

The baptism itself was truly special and so fun to be a part of. We love being the parents of twins because everything is new. Everything is a learning experience-baptizing two boys was no different. Kendrick baptized them both. Jack first, then Myles. My dad and brother were the witnesses. Our neighbors and good friends, Dean and Tiffany spoke and one of our favorite sweet older couples in the ward gave the opening and closing prayers. My friend Carissa, did Jack's spotlight and my friend, Erica did Myles' spotlight. Tons of people from the ward showed up and even Jack and Myles' Kindergarten teacher came. They were so excited about that!

I am grateful beyond words to everyone that came. Even Kendrick's uncle and his cousin's family showed up. My uncle Matt drove down all the way from Bountiful, my uncle Mike brought some of his kids before he had to take them to a soccer game. For being the day after Halloween, I was so impressed with everyone that made it there bright and early. Thank you to everyone who sacrificed their morning by coming to support the twins! They felt so loved.

Jack

Myles

My parents and the twins (my cute mom bawled her eyes out the whole time-love you mom!)

The Espnioza's, Dansies and twins

The Winter and Martinez clan

Richard and T with the twins

Our little family

When Taylor was baptized we thought it would be cool to take her to her favorite Temple and have her photo taken in her baptism dress. The idea is that someday she will go back there to have her Bridals taken and she will be able to have the two photos side by side. The twins apparently thought that was a neat idea because they requested the same thing for when they were baptized. I honestly thought they would forget about it. But they didn't. For 2 years they kept reminding me that I had "promised" them that they could go to their favorite temple and have their baptism photos taken. My fear was that one of them would choose the Bountiful Temple and one of them would choose the Provo Temple. As fun as it would be to drive through 3 separate counties to do photo shoots at two different temples, I knew it would stress me out. I lucked out though when they not only agreed on the same temple but when they both chose the temple in our old neck of the woods, The Oqquirh Mountain Temple. Which is maybe a 15-20 minute drive away. I don't know why they like this temple so much. But I think it's sweet that they do since we lived just a 10 minute walk from it when they were born. I caught a glimpse of what these two might look like in just 11 short years when they are missionaries and I loved it, it brought tears to my eyes! I am grateful for these handsome boys and for their sweet spirits. They honestly do impress me on a regular basis.

After their photo shoot I took them by our old townhome. We only lived there for 1 year but it is the home where we survived having twin premature newborns. I had to get a picture of them in front of it 8 years later. After that we decided to go get a treat. I took them to the new HUGE Schmidt's pastry cottage in South Jordan. I used to love that place when I was little. I have such a weakness for sugar cookies. The twins each opted for a cinnamon roll bigger than their heads and a milk and I chose a pumpkin shaped frosted cookie. We laughed and laughed and had such a fun time. It was an awesome memory and I'm so grateful that these boys like hanging out with their mom...