Birthdays and Epiphany Party

C and B had a joint birthday party again this year and they both chose to do just the age they were turning. So, that is why the cake reads "86". It is supposed to show that C is turning 8 and B is turning 6. They each chose their colors and design that they wanted me to do. The funny thing about this cake is that if you turned it upside down it looked like they were turning "98" or 9 and 8.

The next day after the birthday party, we celebrated Epiphany with some friends of ours. Even a priest from our parish was able to attend. The day went really well and even included a little play about the wise men visiting baby Jesus and some fireworks after dark. D was the only little baby at the party, so he was asked to play baby Jesus in the play. I guess he has caught the acting bug even sooner than most of the other kids...and what a challenging role for his debut. lol.

More Christmas Celebrations

Some of our other Christmas celebrations with Grandpa, Nana, Aunt Olivia, and Ma and Pa.

More Christmas Photos

All the kids enjoyed the playdough presents...even the oldest kids, my parents!

Some More Updates

Here are a few more pictures of our adventures at the history museum. All the kids thoroughly enjoyed the dress-up clothes.
These are only a few of our photos from Christmas. We celebrated this year at my sister's new home. It was the twin's and D's first Christmas.

Long, Long Time, No Post!

This is definitely the longest I've gone without updating the blog. I've been trying to focus on staying home more and staying on top of the housework, as well as, school work. It has been easier said than done. I apologize for anyone I've disappointed with such a long delay in my posts. (JOE! that means you!) I will attempt to post some of our highlights over the past few months.

Grandpa come over to visit for R's birthday and posed for a photo with one of her gifts.

A picture of our home-made Advent wreath.

D with B, and R. He is almost 4 mo. old in this photo which was taken back on 11/30/11.

B was in her first play called The Best Little Christmas Pageant Ever. She joined the other three oldest kids in this production at our local theatre. They did 10 performances and were excellent in all of them. So very proud of how well they did!

Here is a cute photo of D in his Christmas outfit and Santa hat. This was a week or two before Christmas.

That is E grinning. Did you notice that the Wise Men from our Little People Nativity scene are riding on his John Deere tractor in the background? That is not quite historically accurate, but I don't think he cares.

The kids with some of their home school friends after a free play called "Madeleine's Christmas".

We then went to a history museum to see an exhibit on the Civil War, called My Brother, My Enemy. They also had some hands-on activities for home schoolers. This was the highlight of the day! The kids got to try-on some of the helmets and armor.