Remembering Tilden's Day

Thanks to some beautiful pictures we received today from Uncle Bobby and Aunt Lisa over at Walcott Imaging we are affectionately remembering Tilden's baptism. Just thought we'd share a few...

He is 4

We enjoyed another party to celebrate Brighton's fourth birthday this weekend; this one was a slightly calmer celebration than over at Chuck E. Cheese, but it was no less fun of course.  The shindig was over at Bapa and Ahma's house with the Raterink side of the family.  Thanks for hosting Mom & Dad!  

Brighton and Chuck E.

Brighton turned four this weekend.  I can hardly believe it.  He's a little kid, and with that we officially entered into a new phase of parenthood because we hosted our first birthday party at Chuck E. Cheese. It was so nice not to have a huge group over to our house, and they make it quite slick for you, but if you ask me, that Chuck E. can be a bit much at times. 

Anyway, Brighton had a blast which brings me nicely to "The Ticket Blaster."  Bright had seen it before, and he was terrified, but after watching a couple others go in, and then being allowed to take his daddy with him, he decided to give it a whirl.

And I  leave you with our dear four year old with his cute blue face from his Lego cupcake and pure joy from snagging over 1200 tickets in "The Ticket Blaster."

Happy Fourth Birthday Brighton James!

Tilden and Bumbo

Little Tilden in the Bumbo Seat

Tily is definitely much more alert now, and she doesn't like to feel left out from all the action that goes on around here.  Thankfully she'll sleep through just about anything, and she's doing great for all her caregivers now that I'm back at work. 

Brighton did ask this week how long we were going to keep her.  We told him she is with us forever, and thankfully he was very pleased with that response.  In only a few short months, it feels like she has always been here.  

Lovin' our family of four... 

Tulip Time Parade

We took in our first Tulip Time Parade this year; it has been so long since I've done that.  Brighton of course loved it.  We left Tilden at home with Grandma.  Uncle Braden reserved a wonderful spot for us - Thanks Braden!  We didn't struggle with parking or getting out of town.  It was quite slick actually.  On the way home they had all the lights off with cops directing traffic; I think I got home quicker than normal.  We just might have an annual tradition on our hands...

Tilden is 3 Months

All About a Zoo

Saturday, we made our very first trip to Binder Park Zoo in Battle Creek.  What a place!  We had a great time and we will be going back for sure. 

 You can feed giraffes there! 

Brighton wasn't sure at first, but he eventually fed CeeCee and loved it.

That night we kept the day's theme going and watched We Bought a Zoo.  What an adorbale movie!  Family friendly for sure with the exception of a few bad words.

Tilden's Baptism

Tilden was baptised last week at our church by her grandpa, Pastor Dan Walcott.  We don't have a minister at our church right now, so it worked out really well.  What a beautiful day!  She was Dad's first baptism, and it was obviously special for all of us too.  Pictures of us at church will be here eventually thanks to Rob & Lisa.  I really just have one picture of us at church right now as we were all just too happy and too busy to take more.

Oh, yes, she needed two dresses.  Kinda like a bride who can't make up her mind and gets one dress for the ceremony and one dress for the reception, right?  Well, the baptismal gown is new, but it is already on its way to heirloom status in the Raterink family, so we didn't want her to spit up on it (yes, she's a bit of a spitter).

And just a couple more great pics to share.  Here are Great Grandpa & Grandma Genzink with Tilden.  You haven't seen them here with her before because they were livin' it up in Florida.  Welcome home "Great" Genzinks!

And here is the four generation picture that we kept forgetting to take. That's my mom and my grandma - so special. 

Lil' Til' had two sets of grandparents and four sets of great grandparents at her baptism. Amazing!  We are so blessed!