Emelina Mae's Baptism (plus a yummy birthday cake ice cream recipe!)

This weekend we got to celebrate a pretty huge milestone for Miss Emma - her baptism. Aside from the obvious reasons, it was special in many ways.  Like Annalyn, she wore the gown that my mom, Aunt Kathy, and I all wore for our christenings.  It has held up amazingly well over these 50+ years! We also used the blanket that my grandma recalls using for "all special occasions" when her kids were babies.  I was so excited that my Aunt Kathy was able to come and bring my grandma all the way from Nebraska.  It really meant a lot to all of us.

she really likes to grab her feet lately

it's super cute, but makes it hard to photograph a dress!

Speaking of family, this little lady was lucky enough to have both sets of grandparents, one great-grandma, a great aunt, 3 aunts (one being her Godmother, Aunt Lindsey), 1 uncle, 1 cousin, and 1 proud big sister at the ceremony. She cried for just a minute or two afterwards, but as Pastor Al's wife, Pat, noted, it's good that they cry because that way you know it took.  They should know that something amazing is happening to them. I loved that as soon as Pastor started talking to her, she started flashing some big smiles.  Such a happy girl these days.

four generations!

Unlike Annalyn (who was baptized in my dad's childhood church back in Nebraska), Emelina was baptized in our church.  I love being able to say that.  Being pregnant with our second child really gave us the last little push we needed to commit to finding a church. Well, that and a couple of my favorite patients from the pharmacy. It's just funny how some things work out so well. Working every other weekend has made it very difficult for us to regularly go to church and actually get to know anyone.  Going somewhere with familiar faces makes all the difference, and it helps that Pastor Al's granddaughter is just a month older than Emma. We look forward to all the memories the two of them will share going to Sunday school together some day.

After church, everyone came back to our place for lunch and of course, cake and ice cream.  Michael made his famous pulled pork, everyone pitched in snacks, drinks, and goodies, and I made a white almond sour cream cake (see recipe here) and homemade cake batter ice cream.  YUM.  Poor little Emelina didn't get to partake in this part of the festivities just yet (though she got it second hand via breastmilk, right?).  She was sure eyeing Grandma Cindy's cake, though!

At my Aunt Kathy's request, here's the recipe I use for my cake batter ice cream. It might just be my favorite ice cream ever. (taken from serving-ice-cream.com) Here's how Mama makes it:

Cake Batter Ice Cream

Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 c. whole milk
- 1/2 c. sugar
- 2/3 c. yellow cake mix
- 1 1/2 c. heavy whipping cream
- 1 t. vanilla extract
- 1/2 c. sprinkles

Directions:
1.  In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, combine milk, sugar, and cake mix until just starting to bubble.  Whisk until sugar and cake mix are pretty much dissolved (at least no big lumps).

2.  Refrigerate for at least an hour or overnight.  When ready to churn, add heavy cream and vanilla, then pour into ice cream maker for 15-20 minutes. 

3.  Add the sprinkles and mix another 5 minutes to evenly distribute.  Serve in a dish, waffle cone, or alongside a yummy cake!  Perfect for any celebration.

P.S. - "Celebration" as used above can be interpretted as birthday, baptism, holiday, weekday, work day, long day, or any other ice-cream-craving-kind-of day.  Enjoy!

printable recipe