First Communion!

Leave it to a wonderful, wonderful, wonderful first communion weekend last weekend to completely upend my renewed blogging efforts and throw me blissfully off course! It was fantastic and most importantly, this guy felt very, very special...

Lining up before Mass.  Someone's excited!

My parents arrived on-schedule Friday and met us over at the school for the kids' field day, a fun annual gig.  It was awesome to see them for their visits are always so anticipated.  This time J projected every minute of their trip here, "Tomorrow they will be driving... Now they are getting into their car and starting to drive... now they are stopping for the night..." We were all thrilled.  But what made their arrival even more special was that they had a stowaway with them, who they had picked up at the airport on their way in... my sister!

She had secretly planned the trip and flew out to surprise all of us!  Being M's godmother, her trip was extra special and meant so much to him.  M's godfather, GG's brother, C, also flew up the following day, so we were able to spend the weekend with both of our siblings and M had both of his godparents there for his sacrament.  This was beyond special for all of us!

And in the end, everything went off without a hitch.  Most importantly our biggest guy really seemed to treasure the opportunity to receive Christ in the Eucharist.  "Jesus is with me now," he later commented.  A mama doesn't hear much sweeter words, I tell you. ;)

After processing up the aisle and waiting to be seated.

With Father Muentsch, the celebrant.  Sadly, our normal pastor was unable to be there due to surgery.

Looking so old!

A daddy, daughter moment

The best of the G clan 2013 ;)

A lucky shot with my family--not too shabby!

My boys

Afterward, we headed to GG's parents' for a celebration with two other families who also have sons who made their first communion.  It was a lovely affair and we can't thank Mimi and Papa enough for their warm hospitality.  Thank you, thank you, thank you...  Even cooler was that M also lost his other front tooth during the event!

The moms divided and conquered for the food--brunch is so much easier when done together!

M loves his Mimi and Papa so much (both of his sets of grandparents, for that matter!)  He is truly in heaven surrounded by their love and attention.  He delighted in their gift of a prayer book and $100 bill.  When finishing reading their card, he quite humorously read "Love, Mimi, Papa... and Benjamin"  lol.  He's a witty one!  Papa wanted me to be sure to record this funny aside. ;)

After initially being afraid of her unfamiliar Pappy, this little one sat happily on his lap for most of the afternoon on Sunday.  Both seemed so content and happy, it was very sweet.

A Witmer girls shot--very rare, but so special.  Thanks to both of these amazing women for putting up with my stress and our family's craziness!  Love you both so much!

It was a blissful weekend that both GG and I didn't want to end.  If only we had hours more to devote to the ones we love...  Thank you to our siblings and parents who made this such a memorable event.

M had a blast during "Me Week", as he called it.
Who doesn't love a weekend devoted to you and the chance to receive Jesus? ;)