Welcome Mara Rose!!!

We are so thrilled to welcome our new niece and cousin, Mara Rose!!!

You are a blessing to our entire family, Mara. Happy BIRTH day and welcome to the world. Congratulations Tim (Mike's brother), Suzy, Aileen, Joe and Camille!

Here she is with big sis, Aileen and big bro Joe...

Fun Times - Family Wedding

Recently Mike's cousin was married! Mike and a few of the kids attended the wedding, which was beautiful. That evening the kids were able to hang out with the Ohio cousins...


Mike and Kelley doing some last-minute tie adjustments at a street light...


Cousin Lexie with her dad...


Joe and Aidan
Teresa and Aileen

The whole gang. Teresa, Joe, Aidan, Eileen, Colleen and Aileen (Moira took the picture)
Surprise!

Who Needs a TV?

Earlier this week, Molly Grace and Aidan decided they would like their little stuffed penguins washed. So in the washing machine they went! I had no idea they would sit in front of the washer, the entire cycle, trying to catch a glimpse of their little buddies. I'm going to have to remember this form of entertainment in the future...it's easy, quiet, cheap, and I believe there has got to be at least a little educational value there somewhere, don't you think?!

One More Picture...

Moira had a great time at the Spring Formal not only with her friends, but with her cousin Owen as well.

Enjoying Spring Weather

With the snow finally gone, it's so much fun to visit Pamprin Park!
Erin checks out the grass. What a new discovery after ALL that snow this winter....

...and she learns how to sign "grass"

We were just a little bit early for the spawning trout.

More Easter Pictures

Erin must have been napping...cause she's the only one missing. Here are the kids with the cousins: Owen, Molly Grace, Bridget, Margaret, Colleen, Eileen, Emmett, Moira. And in front: Teresa, Conal, Aidan

Music To My Ears

Erin has always been facsinated by the piano. She used to reach her little fingers waaay up high and play the keys without even being able to see what she was doing. Well, finally freedom! She can now of course climb up and sit on the bench. We find her here quite frequently!

An Early Easter Egg Hunt

On Holy Saturday our neighborhood association hosts an Easter egg hunt at our local park. Even though it's a bit early for those kids who have given up sweets for Lent, the little kids like to go and have lots of fun. They save the candy for the next morning, Easter morning, to eat along with the Easter candy that arrives at the house. A double dose of sweets in celebration of our Lord's resurrection. It is all worth the wait!

This year Grandma and Grandpa M were here with us. Here's Grandma helping Molly Grace.



Grandma helping wee little Erin whose basket was as big as her...




This year, for the first time, there was also a ducky race down the creek. Aidan's duck came in fourth place, just shy of a prize!

Mr. Barred Owl

We gladly welcomed the first spotting of "our" Barred Owl this month! Each spring we spot him, usually very close to the house. While these owls do not migrate, for some reason, we never see it in the winter. On occasion, we also hear the vocals of the owl. It is recognized by the "who-who-who-cooks for you?" sound. It is most often visible in the early morning or late afternoon. The kids took this picture (sorry poor quality) a couple weeks ago.

Here is a better picture of the Barred Owl that we found online...

Stations of the Cross

I've been quite the blog slacker lately! I'll make up by posting several new post today, with lots of pictures showing what we've been up to!

During Lent, Teresa, Bridget, Eileen and Moira worked on making our own Stations of the Cross. They turned out beautifully!

The frames were made out of popsicle sticks. Here is Teresa gluing the frames together...






Each station required the image to be cut out three times, for a 3-D effect

Here is a picture of the completed Station VI. They really did look great. We displayed them in our windows on Good Friday.