Happy Easter 2013

 

Jesus Christ is risen today!  Alleluia!  O triumphant holy day!  Alleluia!

 

Happy Easter!

A Vision in Plaid or 50 Shades of Flannel

 

At our belated family Christmas we wanted to get a family photo (my side of the family) while we were gathered at Mom and Dad's.  We thought we'd do everyone dressed in flannel and then realized we'd also be on a plaid couch.  With 7 grandkids ranging from 7 to 2 mos. getting everyone looking good is easier said than done but my sister-in-law had a tripod and and a remote for her camera so it was possible we'd all be in the shot without someone running back and forth.  For your enjoyment...a picture progression.

 

Setting the stage...and catching my best angle.

Checking the camera with my SIL behind it.

Is this thing working?

Surprise!  (Can you tell who's related by their surprise faces?!?!)

Each of the kiddos wanted a chance to press the remote...ha!  There were a few from this set that aren't posted here.

And yes, we did get a keeper! 

Feel the Love?

Advent and Christmas in Pictures

I have been hoping to find time to write more about our Advent and Christmas but find myself busy enough away from the computer.  I loaded these pictures just after Christmas and still haven't composed a post.  So, I'm just going to caption the pictures and call it good...moving on from here.

Decorating the tree.  The ornament has a picture of her first Christmas, December 2007.

Lots of low hanging ornaments!

Working together.

We put the trees up while my mom was here.  The girls thought it was so fun and I was so grateful for the help! 

Erik and the baby friendly Nativity

My brother John visited in Advent to seek out nomination for "favorite Uncle," sorry Tom!

 

Katie helping write some of our Christmas letters.

 

Some lucky folks received letters signed by her hand!

 

Cutting out Gingerbread Cookies!  We'll definitely make these next year- YUM!

 

Just before Christmas (the 20th and 21st) we got our snow!  Beautiful White Christmas!

 

When the cousins arrived we celebrated with ribs off the smoker!  Jacob ate his fair share!

Christmas morning!

 

 

She wound up with those socks in the Snyder $10 exchange...along with her coveted nail polish!

 

Two sledders!

 

Christmas pretzels thanks to Aunt Micki and Mary Frances.  Beautiful and delicious!

 

Playing Fibber with the cousins.  Just the glasses with noses for the game are funny!

 

And finally, a cute baby picture...all tuckered out from the holidays!

Journal vol. 2 November 30, 2012

Outside my window: Cloudy, foggy, the thermometer is inching towards 40 degrees

 

Clothing myself in: black yoga pants, purple top with purple scarf and a black cardigan

 

Around the house: There are bits of chaos everywhere 'cause I can't quite keep up with the girls playing, changing clothes and leaving little piles here and there.  It isn't too bad other that the kitchen floor that I can't stand to look at ugh.  My mom (God bless her!) cleaned it when she was here and it hasn't been cleaned since.  Its been on my list.

 

The baby: Erik is cute, cuddly and pretty low maintenance for someone that counts on you to feed, change, and do everything for him.  He's sleeping at the moment.  I wanted to post these pictures on their own for What my BABY wore today over at One Simple Mama's blog but this will have to suffice for this go round because I just haven't been able to take the time to blog more this week.

 

Erik's wearing a Gerber white longsleeve onesie topped with a Carter's monkey onesie from Gramma and gray pants with monkey socks that I neglected to get in the picture.

But I did get one with his eyes open...though he doesn't look happy about it.

 Or if you prefer what he wore Sunday for his first Packers loss...

Packers waffle weave top and shirt with Packers socks that have probably been passed on from cousins who are now in college.  Evidently these socks are timeless in the fashion world!

 The kiddos:  I've been wanting to record a few Julia 'isms for the record here...lately if she can't have what she wants she'll reply, "waah!" it sounds like a fake baby cry but just spoken not cried.  She also will come in the door greeting everyone, "Hello, hello, hello!" in a sing song voice.  It's a hoot.  She's nearly potty trained but not poopy trained.  Tips?  She's done undies on her own terms since just before Erik's birth.  Usually keeping them dry all day long with little reminder to use the bathroom as she wants to do that 'myself'.  Other than the quantity of toilet paper used, this has been working for us.  The problem is she'll ask for a diaper to poop.  Ugh.  And she's not dry at night yet but that I don't mind diapering her for. 
Katie is the epitome of a big sister.  She LOVES holding the baby.  And volunteers constantly.  She'd like  to carry him around the house but is not allowed, yet.  She seems to have adjusted really well to having a baby around.  Though she has her moments of 'normal' 4 year old sass and has been timed out a time or two. 
The biggest struggle we've had is bedtime.  It's a work in progress.

In the kitchen:  We've been blessed with bountiful baby meals! Not having to plan meals has been wonderful! And delicious!

Bringing me joy:  Baby noises, sibling love, the coming of Advent, company coming to visit and meet the baby, my gratitude journaling, and physically feeling good.

Thinking about: getting ready for Advent/Christmas.  We need to get the stockings out for St. Nick's visit next week and I need to get to the store-- preferably without the girls.  We're also hosting Snyder Christmas and I've got some plans to decorate and get some space ready for Kurt's extended family--5 siblings, in-laws, 14 cousins and us! We're pretty ready for Advent...thanks to Monica's chain and the wrapped books I worked on earlier in November.  Dug out the wreath hopefully the candles will make it till Christmas.

Pictures to share:

A Trip to the National Mississippi Museum and Aquarium aka An Attempt to Walk the Baby Out

Friends of ours from Gym and Art had the great idea that since there was an extra week between our next G&A get together we could meet today at the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium for the morning.  If you've never been, I must give it a big recommendation!  Come visit us and we'll go with you!  It is a must see if you're spending any time in the Dubuque Area for kids and adults alike. 

 

Anyway, I thought, I'd attempt to walk the baby out before my OB appointment this afternoon and I brought my camera!

 

Katie holding a snail in the Discovery Lab.  She was all about it!

All the kids in our group from the four families that met today waiting for me to return from the bathroom. ;-)

Katie in the piranha tank!  The current featured exhibit is one Voyage to the Amazon.  It was the first time I got to see it.  There will be a new exhibit featured beginning in March I believe.

Girls in the belly of a catfish!

H is for Hawk (it is H week here)!

IF you're still reading...my OB apt. went fine.  The baby was not walked out though I'm rather tired from the day!  I'll have to go in again next Tuesday for a stress test if baby hasn't appeared outside before then.  Now though, I'm crossing my legs til after I vote tomorrow. ;-)  I figure if I vote early I could have this child before all the results are in...the way things are sounding that might be the case if I wait a few days, too!

Halloween and the Holy Ones!

Tinkerbell and Captain Hook on Halloween- it was also Green day at the library so we got to wear our costumes.

Both Kurt and I took the girls trick or treating around one of our blocks here.  It was a great night for a walk and we got to visit with some of our neigbors and limit the houses we hit.

St. Bernadette of Lourdes and St. George ready for our All Saints' Party hosted at our home Thursday.

Here, Katie got one of me- St. Felicity.  Hopefully my labor will not be under such dramatic circumstances as hers.

Crafting up some puppets with our Moms' group for All Saints. Recognize any? 

St. George and St. George

The bigger kids at the party with their puppets- we're missing 4 kiddos from this shot but that's the best we could do.
St. Bernadette, St. Lawerence, St. Elizabeth, St. George, St. Kateri, Angel, St. Therese, St. Rose

Some of my favorite saints all in on spot for a picture!

If you haven't placed your Baby Bets you'd best do that soon! It's November!!!   ;-)