Backseat driving

with Grandma & Grandpa!We enjoyed a lovely dinner out with Darren's parents last Sunday to Wilderness Ridge. It's so beautiful there! The food was delicious, (mounted) wildlife was intriguing, company was pleasant, & kids' behavior was good. Couldn't ask for better.

I enjoyed a delectable prime rib. Yum! I always have this strong desire when we eat out to order something that I would never or rarely ever make. So worth it.Grandma & Grandpa are always up for a story.

Grandpa kept trying to convince the kids that the mountain lion mounted above the bar was alive. "I saw it's paw move!" Andrew played along & Rebecca was completely in awe at the "big kitty sleeping". What a great evening!

From the kitchen

Rebecca has been cooking up a storm lately... with both real & pretend foods. I love to have her help in the kitchen.
Last week Teresa ventured into the world of solids. Mmm... mushy bland rice goo.
Andrew has already become an expert baby feeder! She eats it pretty well though doesn't seem thrilled by any means. Her biggest issue is just sitting up. She tends to list to the right & down towards her favorite snack... her toes.

Z-O-O

Andrew: That spells zoo, Mom! We were lucky to venture out last Tuesday with Uncle Fr. Jon, Aunt Cara, & baby Jonathan to "the big zoo"!
After receiving a scuba diver Playmobil set for Christmas, Andrew has been extra fascinated with marine life. I think he would have sat in the aquarium tunnel all day! A big highlight was seeing scuba divers in the tank cleaning off the big sea turtle.
Teresa spent the afternoon making noises as crazy as the animals! Rebecca was having an extremely big girl day. She refused to ride in the stroller most of the time... which is always her preference. She wasn't frightened by all of the sharks, stingrays, snakes... in fact she was delighted! At one point she even had her hand up next to the glass as if a huge crab had it within his claws. Who is that big girl?

The rainforest, desert dome, & aquarium are all inside, so even though it was rather "brisk" walking between, we could still enjoy the zoo during our less-than-springy weather. Those three are big enough to be their own adventure without the need of the outdoor animals anyway. ; )

All the monkeys.

I like this one because even Teresa is waving good-bye!

Thanks for a fun time Cara & Fr. Jon!

Michael Henry

Happy Birthday, Michael!
We love you!

Quotable quotes

Rebecca: Look at my lunch train!

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Andrew: That shark looked like it had braces!

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Rebecca: Daddy, will you turn my shirt inside-in?

*** Andrew: Look, I'm "Dark Vader", Sam's Batman, & Owen is a robot-ninja man who whacks people over.

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Rebecca: No, I don't want fun & cake at the shower! I just want to stay here with the boys.

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Teresa: Phhhhlbt! Da da. Phhhhlbbbbt!

Oracion de San Patricio

Cristo conmigo,
Cristo ante mí,
Cristo tras de mí,
Cristo en mí,
Cristo bajo mí,
Cristo sobre mí,
Cristo a mi derecha,
Cristo a mi izquierda,
Cristo cuando me acuesto,
Cristo cuando me siento,
Cristo cuando me levanto,
Cristo en el corazón de todo hombre que piense en mí,
Cristo en la boca de todo hombre que hable de mí,
Cristo en todo ojo que me mire,
Cristo en todo oído que me escuche.

Me levanto hoy
Por medio de poderosa fuerza,
la invocación de la Trinidad,
Por medio de creer en sus Tres Personas,
Por medio de confesar la Unidad,
Del Creador de la Creación.

Mystery solved

Teresa's two bottom teeth poked through this evening!

5 months almost on the dot. I'm guessing that would explain all of her bubble-blowing, restless sleeping, weird sound-making, distracted nursing, got-to-have-my-mama babyness as of late. At least let's hope so!

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Oh, & the Bon Jovi concert? Pretty awesome. ; )

Hippo birdie two ewes

To my punny & generous brother-in-law
who takes such good care of my big sis

& five beautiful nieces & nephews

Happy Birthday, Kyle!

Andrew: You know who my coolest uncle is? Uncle Kyle. 'Cause he can fish & build stuff & play games & give me jerky & knows just lots of cool things.

Raspberries

I don't know if it's teething, congestion, or just learning a new trick, but Teresa woke up at 5 this morning doing this & has barely stopped since. I'd think she would almost be dehydrated by now!

The first time I tried to get it on the camera she stopped immediately of course. Unfortunately, her older brother & sister decided to remind her by doing it themselves. "Tape me spitting, Mom!" Hmm... just not as cute. ; )

To: Jesus

Andrew & Rebecca have sacrificed some of their toys for Lent. Each week they pick a new toy or toys to add to these boxes. Yesterday, we wrapped them up to give to Jesus. They will keep them wrapped up by the crucifix until Easter morning. Then we get to open them! We'll be adding a new box each week until the end of Lent.

It was so hilarious to see what they picked. Andrew picked a few random items & a bunch of extra stuff from his "special drawer". I'd say his semi & camera are the real sacrifices in there. Rebecca was even more random. I don't know that a toy eggplant is really on her favorites list, but she was adamant that she would give it up to show Jesus that she loved Him!

I let them do the wrapping... well, Rebecca needed assistance. Andrew even decorated his own paper. This is Mary because "that's someone Jesus loves" & him because "He loves me, too". On the gifttag he insisted on drawing different special symbols: an Ash Wednesday cross, a palm, an Easter Egg, a cross, a manger, & lots of hearts. So cute!

Morning salutations

Darren: Hello, little one.

Rebecca: Hi, big one.

=]

When Irish eyes are lookin'...

here's what they'll see at our house!

The kids went so crazy with hearts for St. Valentine's Day that we just decided to make them green & stick them together for St. Patrick's Day!

40 bags

I've taken the 40 bags in 40 days challenge to simplify our home & increase our giving this Lent. It's a little tricky, given that my intense nesting instinct before Teresa was to purge, purge, purge. Yet, we're only three weeks in & here are my totals:

7 bags to CSS

3 bags to friends & family

4 bags in the garbage

= 14 total

Granted, they are small bags, but bags none the less. (We'll keep the cute baby.) Only 26 to go!This is our sacrifice jar. Every time one of the kids makes a sacrifice, big or little, they get to put in a rock. We're 16 days in & there aren't a whole lot of rocks... but that's because they also have to take one OUT when they do something naughty or not nice. (It's been an interesting couple of weeks!) Andrew wanted to put the hearts at the top to show when we fill it up our love for Jesus will be overflowing!

Benny & the Jet

Two items of excitement today:

1. J day at preschool, so Andrew gets to bring his "awesome Transformer army jet"

2. my nephew Benedict's 9th birthday

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From little Ben... to big Ben

Happy Birthday, Benedict!

We love you!

Veronica

Happy Birthday, Veronica!We love you.
Keep up that adorable grin!

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Rebecca: "Look! It's Begonica!"

Okay...

I'm better now.

Maybe. ; )

Addicted

to enjoying memories!

Memories cubed

Lenten yumminess

I just have to share this wonderful soup recipe by my friend Sandra. It's delicious! If you are looking for a new meatless recipe for tomorrow, I highly recommend this one. Thanks, Sandra!

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Creamy Tomato Tortellini Soup
About 10 heaping cups; 35-40 minutes prep & cook time

1 9 oz package refrigerated or frozen cheese tortellini
2 cans (10 3/4 oz. each) Healthy Request reduced sodium condensed tomato soup, undiluted
2 cups vegetable broth
2 cups skim milk
2 cups fat free half and half cream
1/2-3/4 cup chopped oil-packed sun dried tomatoes
1 tsp. onion powder
1 tsp. garlic powder
1-2 tsp. dried basil
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
Additional Parmesan if desired

Cook tortellini as package directs & set aside. Meanwhile, in a pot, combine the soup, broth, milk, cream, tomatoes & seasonings. Heat through, stirring frequently. drain tortellini & carefully add to the soup. Stir in cheese and set on low for a couple of hours if desired. Sprinkle each serving with additional cheese if desired.

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When I made it, we had enough for a meal & for me to freeze half. Next time to cut down on cost I think I'll just use a plain old big can of tomato soup & skip the sun-dried tomatoes. It's yummy enough without them & Andrew's aversion to any tomato that he can see makes it easier just to leave them out. Can something this yummy be penitential? ; )

Bon apetit!