All the Cousins at Thanksgiving

Well here they all are -- all fourteen of the cousins together in Wash MO for Thanksgiving at Grandma & Grandpa's.  We had such a nice time and it is always special when we can all get a chance to spend time together not only in the same state but even in the same house!

Catherine and her Cake

Happy 1st Birthday, Catherine!

My baby girl is sleeping,
But her cake is done.
How can it be
That today she's one?!

Love you sweet baby girl!!

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Part II

So what a lovely day. I enjoyed looking back over the past year and feeling so much joy about what Catherine has brought to our family and what a gift she is. I was thinking about that early trip to the hospital that morning when she was born. I remember saying, "it's another girl" before anyone else announced it. Of course as we always say, we couldn't imagine life without her.

Catherine, you have a great squinty smile like big brother Nathaniel had (and Aunt Lissy, Aunt Beth, and Grandma Donna all are sure you look like him). You love dancing to music, you crawl super fast and are really close to walking. You are definitely laid back and go with the flow...as I always tell people...that's why God sent you as #6 because you pretty much have to go with the flow with everyone else's stuff to go to and from. Your whole family loves you dearly, but I think you and Leyton have a special little closeness that I love to watch and hope it always stays. I enjoy spending my time with you, cute little peanut and love you more each day!

We did have a good day, busy of course, but good. We had bible study/Catechesis this morning, and then Anne actually had a well child visit - fun, I know. Then we came home for Catherine to nap a bit while I decorated the cake. Then it was lasagne, grapes, yogurt, salad and breadsticks for dinner. She really ate a lot! Then cake of course. She really went to town on the cake! First small slow bites, then bigger, then faster. It was cute. I think she really enjoyed it. The Lees came over for dinner and we always appreciate them visiting with us. I think the. She was pretty tuckered out. She got a nice bath and played with her new bath toys - thanks Grandma Donna and Grandpa Jerry and the Grahams! Then out like a light with a full belly.

Just a wonderful day to celebrate this little cutie. I'll have to get some pictures in tomorrow or this weekend.

Saint of Interest

A few weeks ago when I was doing some of my reading, I came across more about St. Margaret of Scotland.  I think I've found a new saint of interest for me in life!  I receive a daily email from Notre Dame and this is what I read.  Pretty good person for me to follow, wouldn't you say?

St. Margaret of Scotland

"St. Margaret was born a princess in Hungary around 1045, and spent much of her youth in the court of her uncle, the English king, Edward the Confessor. Her family fled from William the Conqueror and ended up shipwrecked on the coast of Scotland. King Malcolm of Scotland took them in and was charmed by Margaret. They fell in love and were married in 1070. They had six sons and two daughters—Margaret was an excellent mother. She supervised the education and religious instruction of her children; her youngest son, David, became a saint himself.

Like his nation, Malcolm had a good heart but was rough and uncultured. Margaret gave him good advice, and he came to trust her counsel. She softened his temper and helped him live a virtuous life.

Margaret used her position to promote arts and education in Scotland. She founded several churches with her husband, and began dialogues with the hierarchy about reforming abuses of power in the Church. She loved to make churches beautiful for God’s glory—she even embroidered the priests’ vestments herself.

Despite her many duties in the court and with her family, Margaret was faithful to prayer. She gave up sleep in order to have time for devotions and she often consulted Scripture. During Advent and Lent, she would get up at night in order to attend Mass at midnight every day. On the walk home, she would stop to care for six poor people, washing their feet and giving them money. Poor people sought her out and she never refused them. It is said that she never sat down to eat without first feeding nine orphans and 24 adults.

She died of illness just as she heard that her husband and a son were killed in battle. Her relics rest in the reliquary chapel in the Basilica.

St. Margaret of Scotland, who helped her husband grow in virtue and who taught her children to be saints, pray for us!"

Happy Thanksgiving!

What a wonderful holiday we had celebrating in Washington. We filled Grandma Donna and Grandpa Jerry's house with people and probably emptied it of plenty of food. Thanks so much to them for having us! We actually were able to get the whole family together as Uncle Gary and Aunt Lissy and family and Beth and Robert and family were there and we also got to see Uncle Ben. Eighteen people stayed at Grandma and Grandpa's.

We arrived Wednesday evening. Thursday was a beautiful day so we were able to enjoy time at the park before the big evening feast. As usual, Grandma prepared a delicious feast. We tried to help, but she has big family holiday meals worked out like a well oiled machine.

Friday was colder, but we still got to enjoy family time. Friday evening we were able to go to the Parade of Lights in downtown Washington. Cool, but very fun. The kids all really enjoyed it. When we headed back to the house, Patrick made hot chocolate for everyone and we had a little birthday celebration for the babies - Catherine, Sara, and Blaise. Too bad Blaise was a bit under the weather. We missed them!

Saturday we decided to head home. Time to settle back in. Truly another great opportunity to make family memories with the kids and it was great to see them enjoying the visit and the fun with cousins. Pictures to come!

Well, another resurfacing!

Ok, so I'm really going to try and get this thing updated. I have wanted to for so long, but haven't done it. Partly the technical issues with the laptop. But, now that I see I can more easily update with my iPad, maybe my chances are better. I was having trouble posting with it, but am in better shape now. Now the question is, how do I make up for lost time? To I post past stories from here on out or do I adjust the date so they post at the right time period? Thoughts?

Happy Halloween 2012!

School night this year, so not a late night, but definitely a fun night.  I stayed home with Catherine and the rest of the crew hit the streets with Patrick.  They were troopers and had a lot of fun.