traveling east for Thanksgiving

I love that Pittsburgh is right on the way to my parents' (Mike loves that Steak 'n' Shake is on the way to my parents'). We get to visit with some of our favorite folks we left behind when we moved quite often- at least often considering we now live hundreds of miles away. We had to cut some of our visits short due to illness. The kids had been sick the previous week and on the weekend, and we were supposed to leave on Sunday, but we left on Monday instead, thinking that we were mostly over the bugs that infected us. Were we wrong! I ended up getting pretty sick, and it seems like most of the kids got hit even harder than the week before. But we plowed ahead and prayed we wouldn't infect anyone on our rounds.

We got to have a short but sweet visit with our dear friends, Toby's godparents- always a refreshing reunion. And then we were able to visit with our good college friends who are missionaries in Africa. They happened to be on a half-year visit back to the states and also happened to have their first child during that time, so we were glad to be able to meet her as well (sorry- no pictures, but she is DEAR). After that, we dropped Mike off to visit with some old coworkers, while we held our own in the van and tried to stave off feeling awful (it didn't really work). Then we plowed on to our Thanksgiving destination. Poor Toby fussed much of the drive from Wisconsin- he wasn't feeling well and had a rash all over his legs, feet and mouth. But prayers from friends and family helped, and we were never so glad to have finally pulled into my parents' driveway. To be continued...

Vox Angelicum choir concert

(Please excuse the terrible phone pics in all of these posts) The kids have been practicing since early Septemeber to learn the songs they performed at tonight's concert. Abigail was in tears beforehand, she was so nervous. But she ended up doing great (I was told by one of the mothers who sat up close, as we got there after the prime seats were taken because we had to attend Mass at our church beforehand), and Jack didn't look like he was singing at all. But after the concert, we noticed that he was a very definite shade of green. Poor guy. We let the performers go through the refreshment line but ducked out before everyone else went through because we had two sick kids. Despite having a fever, T was enjoying going around between all of the Mary and Jesus pictures and statues and naming them during the performance (he was a little too loud to stay in the church).



We had another great semester in our Friday afternoon homeschool coop, but now, it feels good to be all done with one more activity... until Feb of next year...

We are blessed!

first snow of the season

It started snowing last night while we were waiting for Jack to get out of karate and was starting to stick to the roads by the time we got home. When we woke up this morning, we saw that magical sight outside - everything covered in white, and it was still coming down... it didn't stop until early afternoon. Toby grinner hugely when he first saw it out his window this morning, and all morning, as his siblings played outside, he watched them and pointed, saying, "Ou'sie! Ou'sie!" Poor boy was fussy all morning and ended up taking a morning nap, which he never does anymore. But we did take him out after lunch to see our goat friends (who also didn't quite know what to do with the white stuff). Toby also took a second long nap in the afternoon and had a fever... so sad when babies are sick :() What a beautiful day! The kids were in and out throughout the day, and our mudroom has been serving its purpose in earnest- wet, muddy, filled with boots and a drying rack of winter gear... But they were so excited, and in between coming inside and grabbing dry clothes to head back out, we enjoyed some hot chocolate, of course. And, we may have tested some of the fudge I made for the kids' concert this evening... We are blessed!

Mall Toy Box play

The girls kept asking me to take their pictures. I like this kid photo-bombing :)

The mall on the west side just got a new kids' play area with larger than life Fisher Price toys (called the "Toy Box"), so I took the little three there yesterday while the big two were off learning stuff at their Friday Enrichment Activities (Jack and Abigail are too big to play there now anyway). TThere was a big barn in the middle with a slide that Toby kept taking his turn on again and again- he LOVED everything. It reminded me what it was like to just have little ones. So much fun!

the Wards' visit

I guess we tired his twin out- she was sleeping much of the time :) We could not have asked for better November weather last weekend while the Wards were visiting- it was absolutely glorious. The adults got in some runs in the morning, and it was a relaxing, refreshing time in general, as our visits always are. Jack was at Camp Gray for Religious Ed from Saturday to Sunday, but he was pleasantly surprised when Mali and Brinnly were there with Mike to pick him up at church. And they all got in some more time playing outside- and in before we ended our weekend visit with dinner at Scoopy (Culver's).

We are blessed!

Toby attempts the kitty door

One of these days, he will fit.

All Saints Day

With the exception of Abigail (who wanted be Mary again), the kids all wanted to dress up as their namesakes for our All Saints Day party. I didn't notice Jack's little knife had made it into the photo until looking through them. He thought it was a good hint as to who he was. Perhaps Toby, following him around with wood for a burnt offering would have been overkill? Toby was napping during this picture, by the way, and he got to continue to nap, as Grandma and Grandpa stayed home with him for the afternoon and evening while we were at the party. I had volunteered to help in the kitchen and with clean-up and raffle baskets, so it was wonderful to not have to keep up with a one-year-old, who hasn't had a nap!

After the saint costume guessing game, there was a live band and a woman teaching line-dancing, which was fun. Jack, particularly, got into it and even volunteered to show everyone the steps when she asked for a volunteer! After line-dancing, we enjoyed a potluck dinner and then the kids did a piñata. We are blessed to be a part of such a great group of fun and faith-filled families!

All you Holy men and women, pray for us!