Finn's Baptism!

 Clapping to welcome Finn to the beautiful Catholic faith!

Grampy aka Finn's Godfather lights the candle

Father Larry pouring the holy water over Finn's head. 

I like how Finn is looking at Father while receiving a blessing.

Finn has had a runny nose for a few days. But he did great during the actual baptism. I was out nursing him most of the mass before it.

Group photo with Father Larry and Finn's Godparents.

Hoe down water play and Finn

Sean has been practicing his bluegrass chops for no reason lately. He decided to accompany the crazy play time with" Boil Them Cabbages Down." I'll try to get a video of it because he's gotten fairly good at it.

Before this point, the violin was brought inside to safety. This picture turned out pretty well! The kids were have a complete blast!

Well, Mr. Finn started rolling over from tummy to back just yesterday. I don't put him on his tummy very often, just on my belly when he's nursing. :)

But then today, I put him down and he started practicing rolling over from back to belly! I got the camera out but then thought that he was going to need more practice, seeing as how he hadn't even tried to roll before, that I know of.

But he did it! I even got it on video but since he was diaperless, I'm not going to post it. This picture shows him rolling onto his belly later in the day. He's a pro now! Sean and Pea were so excited that they cheered and clapped and ran down to him when he did it for the first time.

Finally, a new blog post!

Yup, it's been a while. It all started with our laptop dying, then waiting for parts to arrive, then waiting for Adam to have a spare moment to replace them, then finding the energy to start it all back up again.


We are just recovering from a week of fevers and fatigue. Adam was the only one spared. And, for better or for worse, he just left for his first TDY in ages. The kids and I are left with some nasty residual coughing but since the weather is FINALLY gorgeous, we are content.

Lots of pictures that will hopefully spark my memory on what's been going on the past 6 weeks:4

First off, pictures of the bang up winter we've had.

(Sean's garbage bag kite)

Teatime Tuesday. In the foyer because it was sunny.

Park days became library days during the sub-zero temps. Sean and his buddy snuck away from the other "crazy" kids (according to Sean!)

Valentine garland

Sean's sketch

Sean's food-themed chalk drawing

Sweet picture of Kieran with his "Christmas puppy."

Pea with her puppies. She and Kieran spend a lot of time decorating these guys.

Pea is finally back to loving the violin! She gave me a run for my money, having a fit anytime it was time to practice. A phase that is now over, thank God!

More sketching

It is nice to know that Kieran still fits in the kitchen sink!

While Pea practices, Kieran plays with the magnatiles on the floor.

Homeschool humor from Peacehill Press. :)

Adam competed in the annual CrossFit Games. Go, Adam, go!

She lost her first tooth! I was a bit miffed that it happened so soon (really, just kidding, but I am so sad to see her make this rite of passage. I don't want my sweet girl to grow up!) She was so excited that she let Daddy pull it out.

A boy, a wrench and a perfectly fine scooter.

Kieran takes his Daddy-time whenever he can, even first thing in the morning when Daddy should be heading to work!

Sean's reward for practicing his violin consistently was his very first downhill ski trip! It was a very big deal...Adam and I kept the trip secret until they pulled into the ski resort in Pennsylvania. I stayed home with the younger two so it could be all about Sean. He had "the BEST day" of his entire life. He refuses to wash the shirt he wore. :) He loved skiing and seems to take to it pretty easily, unlike his dear mother who still is terrified of anything past the bunny slopes. And maybe even the bunny slopes. 

Kieran loves this little place across the street. He climbs all around and on the trees.

This was one of 2 or 3 warm days this winter.

I don't remember what the story is here but she was probably telling me she was sweating even though it was only 60 degrees or so!

Pea is pretty good at climbing!

Saying goodbye to yet another homeschool friend who defected to Florida.

Warm day #2, on our way to church.

Me in 10th grade at my friend's birthday party. Just for laughs.

August pictures

The first five pictures show the progression of Kieran falling asleep on Adam's shoulder. 

 

And again, the same day or the next day...can't remember. Kieran does not usually do this.

Fairly sure Adam loved every minute of this!

This little romper is my favorite and Adam's too. I don't know why but I love it on her. It reminds me of how young and little she really is.

This little guy has been so busy. He walks around everywhere now. Barely crawls. He pulls himself to a standing position from the floor. He does all sorts of signs: plane, butterfly, more, doggy, outdoors, all done. Strangely he doesn't do a sign for water yet though that's the one we've been teaching from the beginning! I did notice that he put his knuckles in his mouth when I was doing the sign for water...maybe that's his version.

Still eating like a pro. And throwing food off the tray when he's all done.

He's pretty happy to be 7! We are well into second grade now. He is actually excited to do a couple subjects now: Life of Fred (math), Story of the World (still finishing up the first book) and even writing.

We met Adam at the Air and Space Museum for his concert. First we picnicked under a tree. Kieran's hair had to be cut again. This shows the long version.

Those sliders and knobs were too much to be ignored! Kieran worked on mixing the show.

Wow, Dad, way too much trumpet in the mix. Let me pull it down a touch.

Our fig tree produced some yummy figs. Sean LOVES figs. As a matter of fact, we went to our CSA farm today to pick our own b/c they had too many. He would eat dozens of them if he could.

After more than 6 months, Sean's front teeth are actually cutting through!

We had 20 butterflies on one bush the other day. That's probably why Kieran is doing the sign already!