As previously mentioned, we decided to get Lilli christened here in Anger, Germany, and then do a naming ceremony in NZ when Max gets there. The christening was on Saturday, 15 August 2009, at 11.15am, at Anger Church, Anger, Bavaria.
Lilli woke up at 9am and I fed her and then put her back down for a little nap. We had showers and got ready while she was sleeping and then got her up in time to dress and go to the church. We had to be there at 11am. We had the family come to the church and only a couple of friends that were not going to be able to make the party later on at our house who were also considered family anyway.
We waited at the door to the church and listened to the bells tolling - Lilli's bells - for her Taufe/Christening. So cool! The Dekan (priest) met us at the doors with 2 alter girls and we followed them in a slow procession into the church.
Waiting at the church entrance to go in.
Following the Dekan and alter girls in.
The alter, Dekan, and alter girls.
Family & a few close friends were at the church with us.
Onkel Leo and Opa Al in their lederhosen.
We took our seats and the Dekan spoke to us about the the ceremony and what we were celebrating. Lilli was hilarious, she was sitting on Max's knee and giggling and making heaps of noise. I looked at the Dekan thinking he might be wanting us to quiet her down but he just smiled so I let her go for gold. Then she grizzled a bit so Max was bouncing her up and down and she starting laughing really loud, making the rest of us laugh as well, even the Dekan.
Lilli laughing and having fun during the Dekan's speech!!
We sang a hynme and then followed them over to the water. Lilli's Onkel Bert is her Paten (Godfather) and so he held her while she was christened with the water. She was great and only cried afterwards because she was getting tired and hungry.
About to be baptised.
Lilli's new Godfather/Pate holding her for the baptism.
After the baptism a few words from the Dekan and compliments on how well Lilli behaved. :)
The christening gown. Boy is she heavy!! Plus it was boiling hot in the church. :)
We did a slow procession around the church back up to the alter where we each got blessed by the Dekan and he said a few more words. Lilli was really starting to get sick of it and everyone was making funny faces at her to try and keep her happy, I was singing quietly in her ear.
Getting blessed by the Dekan after the baptism.
Then it was finished and the Dekan gave us a lovely gift from the church which is a picture of the alter to hang on her wall. Very nice.
The end of the ceremony.
We left the church and went to a local restaurant for a celebratory lunch. I fed Lilli and then Oma nursed her for a while until she slept and popped her in her stroller where she stayed while we ate lunch. Poor tired wee girl that she was, and the day was only half over!
Everyone at the restaurant for lunch after the church.
Lilli was shattered after and slept through our noisey lunch!!! Ohhh.
After lunch some of the group came back to our place for coffee and cake (or beer or wine) and once again Lilli was just a darling. She laughed and giggled and enjoyed all the attention of being the star for the day - again. We got given heaps of gifts for her which are listed at the bottom. :D
Mummy, Onkel Bert, & Lilli
Daddy, Lilli, & Lilli's gorgeous christening cake.
Lilli's christening cake - isn't it awesome?!
Opa Al put ribs on the grill and Oma Doris prepared salads and stuff with help from the Tantes. All in all it was a wonderful meal and we would like to thank them very much for all their hard work and help in making Lilli's whole day such a memorable one. Max's friends all came to the party and had food and drinks with us to celebrate and we got even more gifts for our spoilt little angel. One gift that we got was from a whole group of Max's close friends and inside the gift was a money box full of euros!!! 300 of them!!! Wow. Such a lovely group of mates!!! That's Max's mates that we hung out with all the time last year and not quite as much this year but we have managed to get to a couple of parties with them! :) It was a great night and once Lilli was in bed we kept it going for quite a while. I went to bed at 2am and Max came in at 3.30am. Onkel Bert was the last to go - at 5am. Well done Bert!!! :)
Gifts:
Ruby cross pendant
Schutze engel (guardian angel) & ring necklace
L neckless
Engraved identity bracelet
Gold identity bracelet
Gold coins x 2
Soft toy - frog
Soft toy - polar bear
2 x outfits
Potty, Lilli ball, dummies, moneybox
Plaque from the church
Total euros given: 540
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