July

We finally organised Sequoia's christening, to Zoran's mum's releif.



This is Sequoia and Nadia, Nadia became Sequoia's godmother. Nadia is Zoran's cousin who lives in Melbourne. Nadia's family looked after us when we arrived back in Australia after living overseas and welcomed us into their lives with warmth. Nadia travelled up from Melbourne and arrived on the flight just before Jess and Sups' so we had a lovely house full family. Mum travelled down from the mountains a couple of hours later.

Sequoia had a great day full of attention and playmates!! Nadia bought Sequoia's outfit, a beautiful dress and matching shoes and candles in melbourne and Sequoia loved being the dolly dressed up and twirled around! She was so pleased to have this christening she smiles or watched intently throughout the whole hour she was held sung over by the priest.





Nadia's box of things the priest asked for - a change of clothes, cross to wear, towels for the priest and Sequoia.


Early Sunday morning we drove the two hours down to Wollongong arriving at the church just in time! The priest was lovely and the orthodox christening is a beautiful ceremony with candles and prayers and fankincense and of course communion for Sequoia.

Immersed in holy water! she loved this bit!!

Prayers.

Jessi.

All dressed again.

Tasting the wine.

Jasper and his cousin Juliana held the candles and followed the priest about the church as he did his incantations.

Zoran and I held the candles after the children had enough.


Family snap


Watching in the church
After the ceremony we went to a local function centre, there were about 80 people - family and friends. Kids ran about playing and a delicious four course lunch was served. It was great to be able to share food together.

Zoran and I thanking everyone for coming and sending good wishes to family far away who couldn't make it.


The cake, which Sequoia was so happy to be in charge of cutting. We decided to make it ourselves as I love doing the icing and Zoran made it the night before as he is a fantastic pastry chef (except this time - only half the eggs went in - but it ended up delicious, just like a rich ganache!!)



After lunch some Macedonian dancing.

This song led by Nadia, Sequoia's godmother, and Jessi next to her.

Sequoia felt like she was a ballerina and spent the entire time in the centre of the dancefloor on her tiptoes!




And then back to daily life - the kids playing on the deck, and the rainbow lorrikeets coming for apple pieces...