Damien by Abby

Abby snapped this picture of Damien today...I thought it was pretty good!

Brilliant!

Oh look at my daughter reading...she is so smart!  She did this all.on.her.own.  Instead of watching TV or asking to play her DS she decided to climb into my bed and R.E.A.D.  Oooooo Amazing Mysteries of the World...wow...not even a schoolbook...this is educational reading FOR FUN FOLKS! 

THIS my friends, is an example of superior parenting.  If you model the desired behavior your children will learn and emulate you.  You will be setting them up for a lifetime of happiness and academic success!

***giving myself a great big pat on the back**

Let's peak in on my little book worm....

oh wait......

nevermind...carry on folks!

It's Spring!

 Abby and I made carrot cake cookie sandwiches for Easter dinner.  

Recipe found here.

 Our little man.

 So handsome....

 eeeeek!  He's so cute!!!!

 ...and a little shy... :D

We love the nice weather we have here in EW.  We have been playing outside everyday!  The kids dug out the lacrosse sticks and got a lesson from Daddy.  We have some naturals among us and will be joining our local league as soon as they are old enough (3rd grade - which means Michael IS old enough but we missed sign ups - so next year!).  While they were playing Damien came in crying over something that happened (I'm sure a very serious injustice).  I gave him a drink and told him to "Get back out there and Mix It Up!"  He squatted down, shook his lacrosse stick and said "YEAH!!! MIX IT UP!" and off he went.  

Happy Spring!

Happy Birthday to our Abigirl!

6th Birthday

5th Birthday

4th Birthday

3rd Birthday

2nd Birthday

1st Birthday

1st BDay Party

snow!

A couple weeks ago we had our first real snow fall this winter.  The kids were SO excited.  Abby (our outdoor girl) was the first to be ready and out the door.  The first day the kids had a two hour school delay.  Since we live too close to ride the bus and I couldn't get my van out of the driveway we were going to walk to school.  As the morning went on the snow was coming down harder and harder.  Ben made it about 3 miles from our house before he had to turn around and come home (and he was in 4 wheel drive).  I decided to keep the kids home and school ended up being cancelled the next two days (hello 5 day weekend!).  We ended up with about 8 inches.  Our neighbor hooked up a sled to his 4 wheeler and gave the kids rides around our neighborhood.  

 It was hard to get a picture off all three of them looking at the camera because D just wanted to eat snow....and yes we did talk about avoiding the yellow snow. :)

 My handsome eldest!  He is just like his mama - after the first day he preferred to stay inside where it was warm!

 D trying to drive his cozy coup...which does NOT have 4 wheel drive and didn't make it very far.

 When he first got into the snow D gave us all a demonstration on how to jump and catch snowflakes.  

 Abby spent all day/every day in the snow...she loves being outside!

 Trying to sled down our backyard hill.

Fuzzy picture but look at those cheeks and those sparkly blue eyes!  I die!  

JOY

We are still here!!  Life has been so crazy (don't I say that every time?) and I haven't been taking many pictures.

I can't believe that we have been here almost a year.  We are still settling in.  I have been very busy painting and continuing to unpack boxes.  Ben has been super busy at work and with three little ones and no family nearby I have been doing what I can in bits and pieces...someday it will all get done!

This picture was from our backyard Christmas card photo shoot last weekend.  I LOVE THIS PICTURE.  I wish it wasn't so blurry and a bit more centered but what can you do when an almost 3 year old is jumping toward you.  :)  Hopefully I will get the Christmas cards out tomorrow.

Happy Birthday Michael!

Happy 8th Birthday to Michael!

(8 years ago you made us parents...thank you!)

July 4, 2003 - 10:56pm

7lbs 15oz - 22in

Ghosts of birthdays past:

2 years old

3 years old

4 years old

5 years old

6 years old

7 years old

(I took lots of picture from his 7th birthday in So. Carolina but they never made it to the blog - here is one)

Mommy and Daddy feel so fortunate to call you son! You are a smart, compassionate, funny guy and we could not be more proud of you!

Lolek

good thing I have him...he'll never grow up...right?

7 1/2 Year Old Boys Are Funny!

Happy Anniversary!

11 years and going strong!

Michael's 1st Communion

The 1st Communicant!

Fr. Nguyen & Michael

Michael and his 1st Communion banner

Damien says "Thumbs up to Michael!"

We were so lucky to have Grandma & Grandpa drive up for the weekend. The kids were so excited to spend time with them. They were a HUGE help wrestling Damien during mass.

Mom, Dad & Michael

Abby is very excited to get her first communion (when she is in 2nd grade).

Damien says "What do you mean? I was a perfect angel during Mass."

Michael received an array of wonderful cards and gifts.

Thank you Grandma & Grandpa, Nana & Dziadiza, Great Grandma, Uncle Jim & Auntie Val, Uncle Bob & Aunt Dianne, Uncle Msgr. John, Uncle (aka Godpapa) Pat, and Uncle Paul & Aunt Susan for helping us make this such a special day for Michael. :)

Mom?

I was watching "Bobby Flay's Ireland" on TV last night. Michael came in and snuggled in next to me. He watched the segment on the organic farm and cooking school...

Michael: "Mom? Will you teach me how to cook?"

Me: "Yes, I think that is an essential skill for you to have."

Michael "Mom? Will you teach me how to grow our own food?"

Me: "Yes, we can learn that together."

Michael: "Mom? Can we grow tomatoes*?"

Me: "Of course!"

Michael: "Mom? I really want to grow Oranges."

Me: "Hmmmmm, how about apples?"

I love that he has an interest in these things. I love to cook and I aspire to have a killer garden. I've been pouring over garden designs for the new house and picking out the perfect spot. I am going to give Michael and Abby their own little garden to plant 3 things they want and they will be in charge of tending it. I think this is going to be a really great summer!

*his favorite food - and thank god something I can grow with little trouble :)

cousins!

We were lucky enough to have my SIL and her children visit us at the beginning of February while my brother was on a business trip. They were here overnight and there was much fun had by all!

Having a birthday dinner for Abby. Homemade Mac n Cheese and Ceaser salad with homemade dressing - complete with anchovies (shhh! don't tell the kids - they LOVED it).

My Anna Banana - She and Damien had a couple go arounds. Once I went to the bonus room and she was saying "No baby, no no baby" and Damien was sitting on her. He looked at me like "what?" She is an absolute delight! She is also my phone buddy. She calls me on her moms cell phone and we talk...her mom did NOT know she was doing that by the way...she thought Anna was playing 'calling Aunt Mimi."

Jack Attack! My Godson. Love him. He had so much fun playing with Michael (whom he worships). Being an only boy he needs that quality male cousin lego time!

Lexi is such sweetness. Damien adores her. There is a picture of her on my phone and Damien likes to find it and smile at it and talk to it and then show it to anyone that is around...including strangers at the store.
Kaitlyn...is 10...how on EARTH did that happen? Her mom was pregnant with her at our wedding! It was nice to spend time with her and listen to all the wonderful things rolling around in her head.

mmmmmmm cake

The birthday girl - she was so excited to share it with cousins.

The kids thought it was awesome that it is so windy here. They were pretending they were going to blow over (or not pretending...it was pretty windy that night).

We all went back inside and someone was upset he wasn't in the picture. So we went back out....can you guess who it was?

There was much playing with cell phones. It was quickly determined that Aunt Susan's iphone was WAY cooler than mommy's LG phone...I agree...I agree...

The 4 older kids had a camp out on the floor of the bonus room. We really can't wait for them to come back to visit. :)