The Baptism

Keira and Lennon were baptized on Sunday, January 4th. There are a few extra pictures in this post, since that was the main point of the whole trip.

This is Iria's 500+ year old church.

Inside, Keira takes the plunge.

Lennon did great, until he discovered a fun new toy in the form of the pew's creaky coat hook. Sounds can carry in that old church :)

Lukas and Katharine got a kick out of seeing Jesus in "his underpants" on the cross. It was the first time that our kids had ever seen a crucifix, and I don't think that they really quite understood what it represented. That aside, it was still a really nice service that was capped off with a fine rendition of "We Shall Overcome" (all the more impressive considering that most of the congregation spoke little to no English).

We had lunch at the church's reception hall across the street. The one Wi-Fi spot that I ever found in this town was in the far corner of this room, and it would sputter in and out if you weren't facing in the right direction.

Thorsten- Lennon and Keira's very cool godfather.

Keira slept, so Lennon was the center of attention.

Anna and Katharine had a lot of fun with the flowers that they got from the ceremony.

Thorsten's wife and mom decorated the baptism candles, and Iria's sister Anita made the baptism cakes. The candles are a big tradition in Germany, and they become little family heirlooms.

Lukas liked the deserts (especially the cheese cake).

Katharine liked posing.

After lunch we took the kids outside to a small castle that was adjacent to a playground. Europe is so cool...

I think Lukas started to get tired of posing, but that in itself makes for some fun pictures.

The Walter family: Stefan (older brother), Linda (mom), Anita (younger sister) and Iria.

Oma with Lennon and Keira.

Iria always jokes that she never gets to be carried, so after a few Swabish beers I swept her off her feet and got the photo to document it :)