Catholic Schools Week

 More Catholic Schools Week fun...

freethrow contest on Neon Day

 Rebecca made it to the final five!

 They had an academic fair for all to visit.  It was neat to see some of the things that all the different classes are working on.

 Rebecca with one of her favorite teachers... she has two sharing the position this year.  And they're both expecting!  She thinking they are pretty awesome.

Andrew's graham cracker log cabin with the mega-chimney

Our celebrity

Any time Sarah even hears the garage door, she says, "Daddeeee!" & runs for the door.  He's her favorite celebrity.  It's become their new little ritual for her to greet him as he walks in with a super-hug & she usually flips his hat off his head giggling.  So sweet.  I wish I could hold onto that sincere joy forever!  

Nothing beats it

 Nothing better than Grandma & Grandpa time 

A quick but fun visit included Mass with Fr. Jon, BBQ lunch, archery, reading, & lots of hugs.  Thanks for coming down!

Crazies

 Our crazies on Crazy Day during Catholic Schools Week

Derby

 Tried out the new track for the Cub Scout Pinewood Derby this year.  It's pretty awesome!  I really liked being able to spread out in the gym as well. 

Green Grandpa & Jackson joined in the fun

Andrew made a super cool car "Thunderstorn" all on his own & made his best time ever as well.  He earned 7th place!  Way to go, buddy.

Tea for four

 Finally put together Rebecca's new tiered tray from Christmas, so we had to try it out with a tea party.  Finger sandwiches, cucumber tomato bites, strawberries with cream, & chocolate cookies were a lovely complement to our mint tea.

Sarah rarely gets in on so much of the action, but she did pretty well.  That is until she started drinking the creamer straight out of the pitcher.  She'll get there.

Trivia Kings

When it's too quiet...

 there's probably a reason.

For the baby book

Sarah's 18 month check-up

weight 23.4 lbs - 55%

height 33.5" - 87%

head 19.5' - 99% (It's gotta be the curls.)

AND she currently LOVES to listen to Red Grandma & Grandpa "read" Frosty the Snowman to her over & over & over again.   Or as she likes to call it "Osty".

Fairy princess

Epiphany Sunday

 Missed our annual "piano picture" for Christmas this year, so we gave it a try on Epiphany Sunday.

LOVE Sarah's expression here.  :)

Now THAT'S a Nativity

 Made our annual stop at the incredible Nativity scene at Cristo Rey.  Gets more amazing every year!

 Enjoyed all the flags & traditional piñata as well.  It's cool to teach the kids about the meaning of the 7 points as the 7 deadly sins... little more awe-inspiring than a donkey or Dora.

 Loved this table!  Nativity scenes from all over the world.  So different & yet all for the same amazing event.

They have a beautiful Church as well!  Nice way to spend our Epiphany afternoon.  

Marian Dinner

Such a blessing to spend the evening with these ladies at the Knights of Columbus Marian Dinner.  They have such a beautiful order with varied ages & experiences... so rare to see them all in one place together.  I really enjoy getting to visit & have a real hour-long conversation with Sr. Karen Marie even if it's just once a year.  So many great college memories to share & lots more to make.  God bless our Sisters!

We had a ball!

Happy 70th Birthday!

Happy 70th Birthday, Green Grandpa!

We love you!

New Year's Eve

 We had a fun New Year's Eve party home with the kids.  I saw this idea on Pinterest & thought it was perfect!  Write out some activity ideas.  Roll them up & put in a balloon with the time you want to do it.  Blow up balloons & hang on a string to pop each one when the time arrives.  EASY!  At least if you have more than two balloons in your house.  Ha!  I ended up improvising with some Ziploc bags & tissue paper... Darren was making fun of me, but they still popped!  The kids loved it as expected.

 We made pizza, played Phase 10, made brownies for dessert, & played some minute-to-win-it games.  This was easily the most amusing, though not the most challenging.  They had an empty Kleenex box full of jingle bells tied to their waist.  The first to dance out all the bells won.  Unfortunately all my jingle bells had strings on them which caused them to become mostly one tangled blob!  Still funny, though.

 Some impressive cup stacking

Curly Bell

Happy New Year!