Crash...

We tried something we hadn't done in a really long time, eating out for dinner as a family.  Cece and Jack were great!  Monica was trying to run around the restaurant and escape to the kitchen.  Good thing the restaurant only had two other customers, but one left for the bar after Monica started to fuss.  By the time we got home she fell asleep in the car.  I was able to take off her clothes, change her diaper, put on her pajamas and lay her down in her crib...without her waking up!

A dog party

 Consider this a miracle that we didn't come home with a dog!.  Cece's friend had her birthday at the Humane Society and they were nice enough to let Monica and Jack come and see the animals!

Making treats to feed the dogs

Cece picking out her dog! 

This is Jack with Doza...

Monica making friends in the kennel

Jack was in heaven!

joy for almonds

Just figured out how to make an Almond Joy at home...Homemade fudge with almond extract and toasted coconut...

It is really hard to maintain your fast when the baby is shoving pretzels in your mouth during mass.  Couldn't get a picture of that...

peek a boo

So here is a fun video of peek a boo at our house!  She gets so scared, but laughs so hard.

Christmas Picture attempt #2

If only I had given myself 15 more minutes, we would have had time to
get a picture of the kids dressed up.  But alas, this is all I got after they
went to bed.

Happy St. Nicholas Day!

Christmas picture attempt #1

This is as close as we got to take a picture of three kids in Christmas
outfits for a holiday picture.

scenes from the grotto

Such pretty lights...

Grandma Toby joined us for Cece's concert.

Cantina Music

On a night when Dave is gone...the kids love listening to Star Wars Cantina music...

First lost tooth

Cecilia lost her first tooth!

Scenes from Thanksgiving

Dave, Dan, Jeff, Steve, Matt, Joe and Stuart "supervising"
the frying of the turkey and drinking beers.

Turkey Chase T-shirt.
Melanie, Chance, Toby, Cece, Jack, Brittany, Dylan, Abby, Rachel, Sarah,
Naomi, Bella, Kadie and Eli in matching T-shirts!

Reading the Thanksgiving grateful notes

Jack crawled up next to Dad and crashed....
It was either the turkey or the 2 mile walk before dinner...

Classroom turkey party

Turkey from grapes, cheese, peppers, raisins, melon!

Theo in his Indian vest.

Alyssa, Ava, Cece and Ella...lots of butterfly vests for the girls.

Cece and her table mate Olivia

Thanksgiving morning walk

Jack, Cece, Mia and Sarah

Here is the whole gang: Chance, Emily, Garrett, Eli, Mia, Sarah, Cece and Jack .
We went on a walk to the high school but I got lost.  So we went home after cutting
through the golf course.

My sister's dress

It was a good thing Monica wore this dress to church yesterday.  I don't think it will fit much longer.  It was Cece's first birthday dress.  She is growing up so fast!

Climbing Monica

She just wants to be with the big kids...She is 16 months old and can climb the ladder to get into the top bunk...

Popcorn and Movies

It was Friday night.  Time for family movie (Happy Feet) and eating popcorn in the basement.  

Leaf raking day

Yesterday we had a break in the weather, as in it wasn't raining after school.  The kids bundled up and we headed out side.  They were content to run amok and watch me rake leaves.  I am glad we got it done yesterday as it is raining and colder today.

Monica's headwear

Monica will not wear a head band when I put one on top of her head.  She will only wear it when she puts it on like this and it is covering her eyes. She even walks around holding her head up so she can see through the bows.

playdoh

Jack made a playdoh man.  He is on electronic blackout for the week so we are having to keep him busy....

Ice skating

This was Cecilia's first attempt at ice skating.  Before she starts, she is very excited

Jack was in Seattle with Nana and Papa.
 And Monica could think of many other things
 she could be doing instead of watching Cece skate.

Staying on her feet!

Sometimes you got to stick close to the wall...

and take a break.

They are a fine pair.

A very satisfied 7 year old...

Jack's first train ride

Jumping in his seat to get going at the station!

Waiting for the train to pull in, whistle so loud!

Making sure backpack is secure and tickets are ready!

All Aboard!!!!

Willy Wonka

Here is Theo, Cece and Ella already for the play Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory

Cece, Ava, and Ella ready to see the show...

Soft Boiled egg

The perfect soft boiled egg:

Boil pot of water.  Lightly prick a hole (a needle will do) into egg shell.  Place in boiling water.  Set timer for 6 minutes.  Place toast in toaster.  Butter when ready.  Cut into strips.

Use a spoon to pull out egg after 6 minutes and run under cold water to stop cooking.  Place in egg cup (a shot glass is a good substitute).

Serve with the hot buttered toast and salt and pepper.

Credit to the Hofer family for teaching me this!

 Matilda and Monica with Cecilia...

It is tough being a cat in our house.  You try to find a nice clean clothes basket to take a nap.  The next thing you know, the baby has crawled in with you and wants to play. 

Jack has another playmate

After dinner, Cece was doing her homework at the table while Dave was reading the paper. Jack was looking for something to do and found Monica.

Now that Monica is walking and jabbering she is more fun and therefore now someone to play with.  Jack set up an animal family in the crib and asked me to put Monica in her crib.  They were playing "penguins in a cage".  

It is just one of those memories I want to cherish...