Ruby & Benjamin's Blessing Day

Benjamin Martin & Ruby Isabelle

were blessed by their father on

Easter Day, April 20, 2014

in Valencia, CA.

Lots of family was present.

In the blessing circle:

Scott Garrison (father), Robert Garrison (paternal grandfather), Martin Cawley (maternal grandfather), Gary Larkins (maternal great-grandfather), Donald Riddle (maternal great uncle), Ron Masino (maternal great uncle), Brad Larkins (maternal great uncle), Cardon Ellis (uncle), Dan Bryant (Stevenson Ranch Ward Bishop), & Jerry Izu (Stevenson Ranch Ward Counselor & the doctor who delivered them).

the blessing of ryder christopher ellis

Ryder Christopher Ellis 

was blessed December 1, 2013 

by his father, Cardon Christopher Ellis

at the Peachland Building in Newhall, CA.

Congrats to my dear sister and brother-in-law!

Jake loves his cousin, Baby Ryder.

 Four Generations: Trudy, Heidi, Brittany & Ryder

 Three Generations: Heidi, Brittany & Ryder

 Four Generations: LaVonne, Martin, Brittany & Ryder

love.

Stevenson Ranch Ward Trunk or Treat

Jake was so excited to wear his Buzz Lightyear costume. He could barely stand the anticipation as Lina and I blew up his wings. As soon as they were inflated, he pointed over his shoulder and gave me his backside saying, "Here! Here!" He was ecstatic. Then he ran and got his treat bag because I had really hyped up the whole candy thing for him.

We arrived at church, walked into the cultural hall and "Buzz" froze. Brother Antaloczy was dressed up as a zombie/frankenstein-looking guy. Jake was totally freaked. He demanded to be held all through dinner and the dancing. 

Once the trunk or treating started he loosened up. His very first piece of candy was a blue sucker...and he decided he was good for the rest of the night. He got--maybe--three other pieces of candy. I felt so jipped! I was solo looking forward to raiding his candy bag over the next few days. But Jake was as happy as a clam, sucking on that sticky, blue glob of sugar. 

the golden anniversary

Happy 50th Wedding Anniversary to the most wonderful, Christ-like, selfless people I know: My grandparents! Oh how I love them! I am so incredibly grateful to call myself their granddaughter. They serve constantly: bishop (2x), stake president, mission president, temple presidency...they amaze me. They make everyone around them feel loved and special. They are simply the best grandparents...ever.

For their anniversary, the family threw a gala at a country club in their honor. We tried to recreate their wedding cake (I mean check out that awesomely ornate piece of a masterpiece they had on their wedding day!) and had Grandma Trudy's beautiful velvet wedding dress on display (that her sister Laura had made!) along with lots of pictures and even cookies with their wedding photo stamped in the icing. Uncle Brad put together a video slideshow of Grandma and Grandpa and had all of their children and grandchildren tell a favorite memory with them, or explain what they love most about them or tell how they will honor them always. It was a fun night and all the cousins got down and boogied once the DJ started. 

family temple walk

The blessings of my grandparents' callings to serve in the Los Angeles Temple presidency are really felt when the entire family is together at their home right next to the temple, the spire peeking high over their backyard fence. Since their calling, it's become a tradition to take a family temple walk together after dinner. The temple is such a beautiful and powerful place. My family is fun and loving and close. And when I see the two side by side I am profoundly grateful for the knowledge I have that families are eternal, and that we are sealed together for time and all eternity because of this wonderful, holy place, because of the Atonement and Resurrection of our Savior Jesus Christ, and because of the Restoration of the gospel in these latter-days. It was a perfect evening stroll, ended with a visit to the Visitor's Center. A little slice of heaven.