More Christmas Photos

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

Catholic Family Gathering

Four Catholic families were able to get together for a cookout at our dear friend's house in early June. It was so nice to be able to visit and let the kids all play outside together. Since all four families are "larger" than average (between5-7 kids each), it made for quite the sight when we lined up all the kids against the fence in age order. There were 24 kids and they ranged from age 11 to 4 months. The adults were definitely out numbered that day.

Hats off to the dads for grilling!

This last picture is of my twin God-daughters. (Aren't they precious!) Their family hosted the cook-out and did a fantastic job! :)

Northern Visit with Family

While we were attending show up North, we visited with some of the cousins. The first few photos are of cousin Michael with E, B with cousin Annie, and all the grandkids, thus far in my family.

This last photo was taken after eating dinner with Aunt Anna and her kids after we played at the park. The kids had a blast with all their cousins and it was a nice weekend trip.

Grandpa's Visit

This past weekend, Grandpa was able to come over and celebrate B and C's birthdays. They were very excited to open presents. Even the older kids wanted to join in and play with the Barbie house and the riding doll, including T! Although, he was using the riding helmet as a gas mask and saying she was wearing combat boots (see the last picture). We had a very nice visit with Grandpa and the kids hated to see him leave.

A Busy Year So Far

We celebrated our fourth and fifth Christmas over the New Year weekend. Dear Hubby's half-sister and her family visited. The kids were able to play with their cousins all day. Everyone had a great time visiting, sharing a meal, and exchanging gifts. Though, they only live two hours away, it is hard to get everyone together as often as we'd like.

That same evening Grandpa Buck and Grandma Mary came to visit, too. Like always, the kids were spoiled with way too many presents (or at least this mom think so because I have to keep track of every one's stuff e.i. pick them up, search for missing pieces, referee over toy fights, etc.)

Though, I am sure the kids think otherwise. The kids were very grateful for all the attention and time they were able to spend with Grandpa Buck and Grandma Mary. An added bonus to the weekend was that the grandparents were able to spend the night and then go with us to the Home Depot kids' workshop. Our kids were able to put together and make wooden block calendars. When we finally made it home after lunch, everyone was excited to paint them. That is what the kids are doing in the third picture.

On Sunday we celebrated Epiphany. Dear Hubby blessed the house with blessed chalked as the rest of the family all stood outside to pray with him. Afterwards, we attended a neighboring homeschooling family's Epiphany party. Dear Hubby and I played the role of Mary and Joseph, while little Eli acted as baby Jesus. I think Elias played the part rather well. He looked really cute all wrapped up in swaddling clothes. The Magi made their appearance and brought us some nifty gifts. There were quite a few kids there and I know they all loved playing with one another. I think mine like singing the Christmas carols the best. We are so blessed to have such wonderful neighbors.

Our other excitement this week has consisted of going to a magic show at the local mall and seeing Mr. Mustache. The kids loved him. He was very silly and did all sort of neat little tricks that kids really enjoy. While at the mall, B decided to get her early birthday present. She got her ears pierced. B will be turning 4 this Sunday and that is what she has been asking for this year. I am not sure that she really knew what she was getting, but now that she has them, I think she likes them pierced. B cried when she got them done, but quickly stopped when the lady asked if she wanted a sucker and a sticker. The second photo is obviously of the sticker. She was so proud of that sticker! She even tried to fight to wear it to bed on her pajamas. Too funny how attached kids can become to a sticker. I told her the picture of her wearing it will have to suffice. I am not keeping every sticker that she has ever worn or will ever get. I guess I am just a mean Mommy. Oh, well, get used to it kid.

R's B-day

R is going to be 2 tomorrow. We celebrate her birthday last night with Nana, Aunt Olivia, and her great grandparents, Ma and Pa. We ate chili for dinner, opened presents, and had cake and ice cream. Though it was a rather small gathering, she had a great time being the center of attention. She wore her "Birthday Girl" hat all afternoon in anticipation of her party and kept saying "Birday". That is her version of birthday.

R decided on a monkey cake this year. I tried my best to give her what she asked for, but I made the face a little too big to put a body on the cake. Instead, I just made the face and some extra cupcakes to match. Since there were going to be four girls and one boy eating them, I only put pink bows on four of the five cupcakes. The kids thought that was so cool. I'm always amazed at how little things amuse them. Sometimes the simplest ideas are the best. This party was definitely low key and small, but it went very well. R had a blast and that is all that matters. Happy Birthday!

Field Trips, Fun, Family, and Food!

This weekend was loaded with field trips, fun, family, and good food.

Friday was a busy day packed with Mass, our home school group's Children's Holy Hour, a trip to the park, picnic lunch, and a field trip to see the Mounted Police Unit. The children all did a wonderful job leading the rosary and praying before our Blessed Lord in the Eucharist. The Dominican priests at that parish are so wonderful for letting us have our holy hours there. The warm welcome to all of the homeschool families was so refreshing and encouraging. After the holy hour, we went to a park to eat lunch and then off to take a tour of the Mounted Police Unit. The kids had a great time and learned a lot about what the mounted police officers do and how they use the horses to accomplish things they couldn't easily do by themselves. The kids were most impressed with the gigantic ball that they use to teach the horses how to control large crowds.

On Saturday we watched my husband's nephew's football game and visited with my sister-in-law's family. We also attended my neices birthday party and met some other young Catholic families. It was so refreshing to hear, "Wow, your sixth baby, huh? That is so wonderful! Congratulations!" Instead of the usual negative comments from the "general public". And it was even more remarkable to hear that most all of these families either already home school their children or are planning to when they are school-age.

Today, we went to Mass and then had my father-in-law over for dinner and some time to play with the kids. They loved throwing the football around.

All in all, a very busy weekend, but well worth all the effort. The kids had so much fun with their friends and family and learned a lot from their field trip.

Easter at Ma and Pa's House

Dear Hubby's grandparents are nick-named Ma and Pa. We went to their house for Easter lunch and to visit with the family. The kids had another Easter egg hunt with their Aunt Olivia and some of their Daddy's cousins. Everyone had a very good time, ate lots of candy, and slept very well that night after so much excitement.