Isn't it Great to Be Eight?

Maria turned eight recently.  I can't believe my kids keep getting bigger!  Who said they could do that?  Don't I say that same thing every time I post about a kid's birthday?  

Turning eight means Maria has reached the age of accountability and she chose to be baptized!  We're so happy Maria is officially a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  She had a wonderful baptism.  She loved every minute of it, although, she did say the water was too warm.  Maria said she felt warm inside when her father and those other wonderful priesthood holders in her life placed theirs hands on her head to confirm her a member of the Church and give her the gift of the Holy Ghost.

 Doesn't she look beautiful in her new dress?  It was a gift from her Grandma and Grandpa Nuttall and Aunt Elise.  Her pretty shoes were a gift from her Grandma and Grandpa Hawkins.  What a lucky gal to have such generous people in her life.

Here are a few pictures from Maria's birthday.  She's always such a fun girl on her birthday.  It's a pleasure to celebrate her life.

Maria got to celebrate her birthday over two days!  The day before her birthday we went to Grandpa and Grandma Hawkins' house to have cake and open presents from them.  The next day, her actual birthday, we had a birthday dinner chosen by her - hotdogs of course.  Then she got to Skype with her Grandpa and Grandma Nuttall while she opened presents from us.

She had so much fun.  And she is such a fun girl.  Maria is so helpful at home and is a great example to her brothers and sister.  We love her.  Our family wouldn't be the same without her.