Chris and Kristen + 2: I baptize you in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit...

Hannah and Owen were baptized on Sunday, May 15, 2011 at Church of the Redeemer in Mechanicsville, Va. This is the church that Chris and I were married in and we had always hoped that Father Jim, who married us, would eventually baptize our children. Hannah and Owen's baptism was another moment longed for and dream realized for us as we often wondered in the years of waiting to get pregnant whether Father Jim would still be the priest at our church when we finally had babies to baptize. On the morning of their baptism I had a hard time believing the day had finally arrived. Hannah and Owen were true angels during the service and even let Deacon Chris Colville tote them around during his homily. I thought for sure Hannah would scream when he reached for her as she is very weary and aware of strangers. They didn't have one fussy moment and shed not one tear during their submersion into the baptismal font and introduction to our church community. We let Owen be baptized first since Hannah was the first born that way he could have a first moment too. Hannah and Owen were adorably beautiful in their handmade gowns that were lovingly sewn by my aunt Angie Fowler. To all those watching they looked just like a set of babydolls I think. Nana, Granddad, Uncle Jake, Grandma, Grandpa, Uncle Troy, Aunt Vic, Great Grandma Hanna and Ernie, Mema, Mr. and Mrs. Dowdy, and Jerrilyn and Dan Ward were in attendance as our guests on this special day. Our beloved and long time friends Sarah and Lee became Owen and Hannah's Godparents and we are so excited to share Owen and Hannah with them in this special way. We celebrated the event at Nana and Granddad's house afterwards with brunch shared with our dearest family and friends.

Pictures from the beginning of the service:

Great Grandma Hanna and Ernie

Sarah, Godmother, and Hannah

Mommy and Owen

Our special guests

Deacon Colville and Father Jim

Making the sign of the cross

Deacon Colville with Hannah during his homily

Deacon Colville with Owen

Getting ready to be baptized

Pictures from the moment of being baptized:

Owen

Hannah

The children gathered on the floor to watch all the babies being baptized.

Pictures from the last half of the service:

Hannah with eyes for her daddy only

Getting Owen dressed in his gown

Getting Hannah dressed in her gown...Sarah's fingers were a little more nimble with the buttons.

Hannah and Daddy

Owen with Mommy

Being annointed

Hannah and Owen's Godparents-Lee and Sarah

Group Shots after the service:

Both Hannah and Owen fell asleep at the end of the service. They were worn out by all the attention and getting into their gowns. Owen woke up, but Hannah was so worn out that she slept all the way out into the commons area and through the reception provided by the church.