My How the Cousins Have Grown!

What a great looking group! And there are 3 more grandkids that will be here soon!

Easter Baskets

We went to the Easter Vigil Mass while Aunt Monica watched the kids. We came home and enjoyed a fire and great conversation with Angela and Sean after Mass. In the morning, we had breakfast and then cleaned the house for everyone to come over for Easter fun that evening. My mom came over for lunch and the kids opened their Easter baskets.

"Like My Heart Loves Jesus"

This song is actually coherent and CUTE! Thanks Uncle James and Aunt Annie for Annie's guitar. She has been asking the past few nights if she had her own guitar so we finally got to pull it out. She is loving playing the guitar!

Staycation

Yesterday we finally had our staycation to recover from our fun, but busy vacation. We went to confession in the afternoon and John and I had to tag team the kids. Annie actually enjoyed walking around and looking at the stained-glass windows while she waited. Then we let the kids run around the Mary fountain while we enjoyed the spring weather. When we got home, John put up a new playhouse outside for the kids, which is featured in the video. Angela came over for dinner: grilled chicken, mashed potatoes, corn bread, and edamame beans, which turned out to be delicious. I am recording that I made dinner, because I'm sure in a few months with a new little one around this will not be the case. I can look back and be encouraged that we did at one time eat home-cooked meals. After dinner we played with the kids in the playhouse. Then made a fire. At 10 o'clock the kids enjoyed fireworks from the Green Jackets stadium in our backyard. If anyone wants to enjoy fireworks, the Green Jackets are doing them every Saturday evening that they have a home game. It was a wonderful Saturday, and much needed Staycation.

Playing outside in Ohio

Can you guess which child came up with this game? Sir Charles is braver than the rest. Right after I took this video he decided to JUMP from log to log. I warned him and tried to stop him but it wasn't until he toppled in slow motion backwards to the ground that he decided to play with the frisbee instead. Boys will be boys right? Actually while we were at the playground, Charles was tossing rocks in the air. I was asking him to stop and go play on the swings. A man who was there with his two boys that were probably 8 and 10 years old said, "You can't stop them. It's built into them." I had to agree.

At the Park in Ohio

We actually got to spend lots of time at the Ohio parks because it was surprisingly warm for April. While we were visiting, Annie repeatedly made the comment that there are 2 Ohios. She said that the Ohio we normally visit has snow. Well this Ohio definitely did not have snow and mommy and daddy were excited about this. This visit provided teachable moments and helped Annie distinguish between summer and winter. A little science lesson for our 3 year old.


Even Thomas made it to the park.

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

We're back home now so the family concerts have continued. Tonight's session was a little more formal and a lot of fun.
Annie's Rendition


Charlie's Rendition

Adoring the New Little One

Charlie absolutely loved the baby. This is encouraging because there will be one around our house in a few months.

Thomas~Our New Nephew and Cousin

Thomas was born April 5th, 2011
He was 8 pounds and 5 ounces
21 inches long
Here is the start on so many pictures and videos that we took.