A Post About Lynnsey

It's hard to believe our first daughter just celebrated her 8th birthday. I still remember the day she was born like it just happened. We had only been living in Michigan for a few months. Our little Marshall Branch had just been formed and I had been called to serve in the Primary presidency. In many places you get released from your church calling when you are about to give birth. Never here. It was a bitter cold winter and I wasn't actually due to have Lynnsey until the 16th but because of my history of fast labors and the icy roads that we would have to travel to the hospital, my doctor graciously offered to induce me on the 10th. After an uneventful induction and my first epidural, our longed-for baby girl entered the world. She was a princess from day one. She always loved frilly girly clothes and the pinker the better. As soon as her hair was long enough, she loved having it styled, especially when we put it in curlers. She soon learned to dress herself and began changing outfits around 8 or 9 times a day. (Laundry was a nightmare!) For a period of a couple of weeks she wouldn't answer to any name except "Miss Princess Lynnsey Lulu Christina Oswald". But even though she was as girly as they come, she had no trouble keeping up with her two older brothers and could often be found in a princess dress out in the dirt digging for worms. She loves her brothers but the happiest day of her life was when her baby sister Kaya was born. Kaya of course, follows Lynnsey like a little shadow and Lynnsey loves having a little sidekick that she can dress up in her old princess clothes and ballet tutu's. Lynnsey is in 2nd grade now and is an excellent reader. She has such a silly side and the cutest giggle. She LOVES playing with her friends and was so excited that she would be able to have a friend party this year for her birthday.

We first celebrated on her actual birthday with just our family. She got her traditional "Baptism Journal". We give one to each of our kids when they turn 8 and we have people write messages in it on their baptism day.

Webkins have become a big deal in our family ever since we got high speed internet. (Just the other day I heard Kaya playing and she said "Oh, look I won some Kinz Cash!")

Kendall ,with the help of Kalen, built Lynnsey her very own balance beam. Now she stays off the back of the couch!

A few days later we had a visit from the Bramhall's who brought with them Lynnsey's major birthday present: Her very first American Girl doll. She has wanted one for awhile and was leaning toward Felicity when we found out that one of the past girl of the year doll's was named Lindsey. So, naturally, she'd want that one even though it was discontinued and teriffically overpriced in most cases. But Alison went on a Craigslist hunt for us and found one in great shape and at a great price. (Thank you!) Lynnsey has been thrilled with her new doll and spends hours changing her outfits and doing her hair. And she is looking forward to our summertime trip to Chicago with her cousins to the American Girl store. (She did tell me just yesterday that if I felt like buying her the Felicity doll too, that I would be more than welcome to do so...)

On Saturday, January 15th we celebrated Lynnsey's baptism day. (More pictures to come!) It was a beautiful program. Her cousin Isabel sang "Faith". Kendall spoke on baptism. Our friends, the Peterson's sang "I'm Trying to Be Like Jesus" accompanied by their daughter on violin. Taylor spoke on the Holy Ghost. But of course the best part was the actual baptism and confirmation by Kalen.

Lynnsey was thrilled to wear the same dress that Isabel wore for her baptism. She wasn't too keen on those jumpsuits!

We had a great turnout too, including some of our nonmember friends from town. It was a really nice day and actually way less stressful than I had anticipated it being.

After the baptism we went to dinner that night at La Casa Mexicana, our favorite local restaurant. Yummy food at great prices. And they do a fun tradition for birthday guests. Lynnsey got to wear a big sombrero and they brought out a big dessert with lots of whipped cream which they smeared on her face before singing to her and snapping her picture for their birthday wall. Lynnsey is already asking to go back again so we can see her picture on the wall.

And finally, this last weekend, she was able to have her friend party. She invited 7 little girls for a party and sleepover. Six were able to come. We had pizza.

And made crafts. (The girls were amazed at how easy it is to make hair clips.)

Opened presents.

And had cake and ice cream.

Afterward we watched Ramona and Beezus. (Such a cute movie that has made me want to re-read all those books I loved as a kid). Then we spent the next hour or so trying to get the girls to settle down enough to go to sleep. Finally, after much giggling and whispering, they finally drifted off only to wake up bright and early the next morning with triple the energy of the night before! But Lynsey had a great time and we figure she's only 8 once! Happy birthday Lynnsey Lulu!