Céline Dion's Twins: A Double Blessing Baptism

The proud mom celebrates the emotional event with family – and 200 guests – in Las Vegas
Updated March 11, 2011 06:00 PM

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THE LONG JOURNEY

Credit: Gerard Schachmes

After a year of fertility treatments, Céline Dion, 42, and husband-manager Réne Angélil, 69, learned she was, oui, expecting twins! Sons Nelson (left) and Eddy, now five months, were baptized at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church in Las Vegas on March 5. "The love and what I feel inside," she tells PEOPLE, "it's bigger than life itself."

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BLESS THE CHILD

Credit: Gerard Schachmes

Drawing some 200 friends and family members – including Dion's fertility specialist, the doctors who delivered the twins, as well as the six oncologists who treated Angélil in 1999 during his bout with throat cancer – the Melkite Greek Catholic ceremony honoring the heritage of Angélil included songs and prayer chants.

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J'ADORE DIOR

Credit: Gerard Schachmes

Outfitted in sweeping eggshell-white Baby Dior gowns, each delicately accented with lace, Eddy (in Dion's arms, was named after the late Eddy Marnay, who produced Dion's first five albums) and Nelson (a nod to South African leader Nelson Mandela) "were perfect angels – they didn't cry once," says Dion's longtime rep Kim Jakwerth.

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KIN YOU DIG IT?

Credit: Gerard Schachmes

Nelson and Eddy have no less than five godparents – among them, (standing) Angélil's other sons Patrick and Jean-Pierre, Dion's sister Linda (left), the twins' 10-year-old big brother Réne-Charles and Angelil's daughter Anne-Marie (right). And the adorable Barbara Bush look-alike in the pink? That's Thérèse 'Maman' Dion, Céline's 83-year-old mother.

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PARTY OF FIVE

Credit: Gerard Schachmes

Following the ceremony, the family of five and their guests partied the afternoon away in the Garden of the Gods pool at Caesars Palace – Dion's home away from home: On March 15, the diva stars in a new show at the casino, simply titled Celine.

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