Happy July 4th!

We went to fireworks on the 3rd.  There were bounce houses, and we are waiting in line for one.

Brooke was tired, so we had to sneak this picture of her, otherwise she turned her face.  :)

Dillon's 10th Birthday Party--with friends at Adventure Landing.

Matthew enjoying a little birthday cake on his birthday--I can't believe he is one!

Matthew's Baptism

Matthew was Baptized this weekend.  He was very good during the whole thing, and we were very happy for this milestone in his Christian life.

Dillon, Brooke, and Matthew all have June birthdays, so we have been doing a little celebrating for those also.  Brooke's Birthday has already passed and Dillon and Matthew's birthdays are in a week.

To see more pictures click HERE.

Spring Fun!

We had two milestones these past couple of weeks--Mia's 5th birthday and Alyssa's First Communion.  Different family members came to each, so it was nice to see everyone!



Happy Birthday, Mia!

May Alyssa continue to be nourished at this special meal.

To see pictures of each event, click on the corresponding picture.  :)

 

Also, today was Mother's Day--the kids enjoyed giving me the homemade gifts they made at their schools, and I enjoyed receiving them.  It is so nice to see their eyes widen when they are excited to see you open their present.  We had a laid back day.  Tommy and the kids made me breakfast, we went to church, and then we just hung around home the rest of the day.  It was a beautiful day, so we spent most of it outside.  I hope every mother got to enjoy their children today.

Happy Easter!

We had a nice Easter here.  Although we didn't have any visitors or travel anywhere, it was fun and eventful.  I guess when you have 5 kids, it's always a party :)



We kept their baskets pretty simple--just a little candy, some sugar cookies, bunny graham crackers, and a puzzle.  In the morning when they woke-up, they got to look for their hidden baskets and dig-in while I made a nice breakfast.  Getting to ice sugar cookies before breakfast and eating some was a hit with the girls.  Dillon wanted to wait for real food, but he couldn't help but eat a few Reese eggs--his favorite!



We had an egg hunt in the backyard.



Dying Easter eggs--our neighbor showed-up right as we were about to get started, so he got to dye a couple, too.



Matthew was asleep during most of the festivities, so I decided to stage an Easter picture with him in it!

I hope everyone had a nice Easter and got to think about how special a day it truly is.  For more pictures click HERE.

Habemus Papam!

Wednesday was exciting for me.  I grew up knowing John Paul II as my pope.  Then in 2005, he died and Pope Benedict XVI was elected.  In 2005, I did not take my faith seriously, so I didn't pay much attention to the funeral of JPII or the election of his successor.  Now, I try to live my faith, so when Pope Benedict XVI announced his retirement, I felt shocked and nervous for the Catholic Church.

 

After Wednesday, and meeting the new Pope, I no longer feel nervous for my Church--I feel excited!  Although, I never heard of Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, I love Pope Francis.  He seems to be a picture of humility.  Below says it all.

 

As a Cardinal in Argentina taking the bus

 

This video sums up my excitement while watching the television on Wednesday.  Fortunately, I caught the white smoke live, but I only got to meet the pope live over the radio while I was picking-up the kids from school.  His humility in asking the crowd to bless him was apparent even over the radio, and it brought tears to my eyes.  God bless Pope Francis!

We have a crawler!

We haven't had a crawling baby in this house for over 7 years!  Both Mia and Brooke were scooters.  In case you don't remember, on the bottom of this post from 2009, there is a video of Mia scooting.  Here is Matthew crawling.100%

Where does this time go?

Matthew is Famous!

Well, not really....  ;)

I was at the kids' school yesterday for their Ash Wednesday service.  A photgrapher from the News & Observer, a local newspaper, was there.  The photographer was very respectful during the service, not using flash photgraphy, so I didn't really pay much attention to him during the first part of mass.  Of course, I saw him, but it's hard to miss somebody who has a camera as big as my 2 year-old.  When he asked to take Matthew's picture, I didn't think much of it, so I told him, "Yes."  The clicking of a camera that powerful sounds awfully loud when it's right next to your ear and it goes off about 15 times.  The photgrapher was hard to ignore then, especially when he asked for my name and Matthew's name after our little photoshoot.  All this happened while I'm kneeling, trying to pay attention to the priest consecrate the Eucharist....the price of fame....hahaha. 

Mia and Brooke were at preschool during this, and the older kids were sitting with their classes.  They didn't get in any pictures that were shown on the news website.  If you'd like to see all the pictures from their school service go to http://www.newsobserver.com/2013/02/13/2677812/ash-wednesday-021313.html.  Their school pictures start at #7 and go until the end.  The pictures of Matthew are #19 and #20.

Have a blessed Lent!