Over the River and Through the Woods...

...to pick out the perfect Christmas tree!

Each year we go to a family owned Christmas tree farm to pick out our tree.  The owner is a client of Mike's and they really run a great business.  They have beautiful trees, and lots of them.  We often go with "The Cousins".  We found some winner trees.  Both were just a tad too tall for our houses, but a little branch clipper-action corrected that problem quickly.

Here's Teresa, getting ready to go.  Static electricity it lots of fun for her, especially when she is way over due for a haircut.

Molly Grace, riding in her new back-back seat (no she was not crying, she has a bad case of eczema around her eyes and the treatment looks a little greasy).

A few months ago we ordered this Little Passenger seat, so as to make room for Seamus in our Suburban.  It fits in the trunk area of a SUV, and gives us three extra seats.  Of course we loose our trunk space, but oh well, that's what car-top carriers are for.  Here's MG looking out the back.  She and Aidan usually sit in the way-back.

Seamus, ready to go, sporting his Santa hat...

Bridget and Colleen, looking for the perfect tree...

Same for Molly Grace and Margaret...

Eileen, Emmett, Bridget and Colleen

Teresa thinks she spotted our tree...

Well, we did find a great tree.  Pictures will be coming later.  This year's tree is named Robin (they name all trees at this farm).  I wanted to get all of these pictures on the blog before I start with the blizzard pictures.  Whenever we have a snow storm with a name (Allison), you know it's going to dump a lot of snow.  Yep, we already have about a foot, and it will snow all day today....We will have a white Christmas, for sure!

Is There Anything Cuter...

...than little boys dressed in plaid?  Older boys dressed in plaid are pretty cute too...

Poor Daffodils

It's December and yet it's been so mild the daffodils cannot decide what to do!  The 8-12 inches of snow that is predicted for tomorrow may help them decide. 

Seamus at Six Months

Wow oh wow, where did the months go!?!  Seamus will be six months old on Tuesday.  He is a joy!  He is dearly loved by all. 

It's a lot of fun for Mike and me to hear the older kids speak of his little personality that is developing.  They'll say, "Remember when Molly Grace did that?" Or, "When Seamus makes that expression it reminds me of Erin", etc...Often they remember little incidences that we forget (which is one of the very reasons why we do this blog...so we'll remember!).  In a big family it is easy for the memories to blend together from one child to another.  And let's face it, we've been having children for 17 years.  Ha!  There are so many memories, so many treasures to hang on to...but yes, we do forget at times.  Everyone has a different opinion about who Seamus looks like, but regardless, he is a real mix.  He has Bridget's big brown eyes (although they are a little lighter).  He shares a very distinct look with Eileen as well.  I see Molly Grace in him, but Mike does not at all.  He sees Aidan, yet I only see it a little.  Moira too had the big eyes, but hers are blue. 

Oh, but he has his own unique little personality, for sure.  He is the first baby who does NOT like a wet diaper (the others wouldn't even be bothered by the thought of it).  He likes to put himself to sleep by rolling his head from side to side (very funny!).  He is our quickest to smile (Mike claims this, but my theory is we say that about each one.  I think whomever is the youngest in our family gets that label.  I remember saying that about Erin too...).  Let's see...he has a high pitched squeal that can rival any of the girls.  It is a serious attention getting squeal, but of course that's the purpose of it.  Kid number eight has learned quickly how to get what he needs.  With nine other pairs of hands in the house, he doesn't usually have to wait long to get what he needs....or to be entertained. 

Now for the basics:  He is about 16 lbs, and tall (98% for height)!  Noggin size is average, but I forget what it measures.  He is very healthy, in fact he has not even had his first cold.  He eats and sleeps great.  He is rolling both ways but still not sitting on his own.  He seems very strong...he is our only kid who has flipped the bouncy seat over (thankfully he landed on carpet)!  He has not had solids yet; I think I need to get going on that.

Here are some pictures...

Snuggling with Moira...She sure loves her bro (and Godchild!)...

He flies through the air with the greatest of ease....

And he has the longest eyelashes...it's always the boys who get those!

He often still has the "surprised look", yes, even when he is not surprised...

Thanksgiving

We sure had a great day, even though we were missing Kelly, Kelley and their gang (due to the flu), my parents (due to not wanting to catch the flu) and Tim and Suzy and family, who celebrated in Ohio. The food was delicious, as usual.  The oldest four girls loved all the preparations, especially helping Grandma with the stuffing.  We also enjoyed Pat's friend, Anna, with us this year!

Erin, enjoying one of her favorite snacks, Snapea Crisps...

Grandma D and Bridget checking out the stuffing, making sure it tastes just right...

We had a beautiful bouque of flowers, thanks to Grandma D for having a birthday the day before, and Tim and Suzy for sending them to her!

Good eats!

Mmmmm, I can hardly wait

I've never seen so much food that I cannot eat in my whole life!  Maybe next year Seamy boy...

Patrick and Anna...

Of course we also needed a cake to celebrate Grandma D's birthday!  We love you!

A Girl Who Knows What She Wants

Early this morning I was folding some laundry when I heard Erin fussing.  I knew she must be hungry as I hadn't given her anything except her milk.  She came to me and said, "Ahhhhh", which just means she wants our attention.  I signed "cereal" and asked her if she wanted some.  She protested with a "Mo!" (which means no).  She quickly scooted off to the kitchen and returned with this...

I knew she wanted eggs, her favorite!  And of course when I asked her if she wanted eggs, I got a big smile. She may not have the words she needs to tell us everything, yet, but she sure knows how to get what she wants.  What a smarty pants.

Oshkosh Scythian Show

If you asked the girls what their favorite dance experiences were to date, many would tell you The Scythian shows! On Thursday night they danced in Oshkosh, their second Scythian concert of the week. It was so much fun for them. This time, they had a much bigger group of dancers as you can see in the group shot below. (Moira is on the far left, Colleen is right next to her. Bridget is in front, next to Colleen, and Eileen is second from right).

They had a 30 minute performance before Scythian took the stage, which the girls put together with the help of one of their instructors (this group shown is just a small number of dancers compared to the whole school). All practices were done outside of class time. They worked on their dance numbers almost every night last week. Whew!

Here they are getting ready for their opening number...

Moira's back is to the camera, in pink...

Here's Eileen on the left. 

Moira and Eileen in the middle...

Colleen and Bridget...

The whole group...

Scythian was just great! What a great group of very talented musicians! A little extra on Scythian...All four band members have parents who are immigrants to our country. Drummer, MikeyO, has a parent who comes from Jordan. Joe has a parent come from Germany. Dan and Alex are brothers (who were homeschooled, by the way), whose parents are Ukrainian. As you can imagine, their music is quite a unique cultural mix, with a predominant Irish flair. Why Irish when the musicians are not Irish, you may wonder? Because Alex and Dan spent four months living in Ireland. While there, they grew to love the Irish culture and music. Alex, Dan and Joe went to college at Franciscan University of Steubenville, where Dan, Alex and Joe's fathers are/were professors (not sure about MikeyO...someone let me know). While there, Mike's brother, Tim, met them and our extended family has followed them every since. Scythian is from Washington DC but they have played all over the country. Their largest performance was at World Youth day in 2008, where they performed for Pope Benedict XVI and 300,000 youth in Sydney! To find out more about Scythian, visit their website by clicking HERE. You will not be disappointed!)

Here is a group shot of the band members, our family members, and many of the kids' friends who attended the show.

It was a fun but very late night. The younger four kids and I didn't get to bed until around midnight. (It was even later for the older kids and Mike). Erin was soooo tired. I put her to bed with her clothes on. In the morning she was up bright and early, ready to go, still sportin' her Scythan stickers LOL.

Happy Birthday Molly Grace!!!

Pretty as a picture, here is Molly Grace, celebrating her sixth birthday!  Happy birthday, Molly Grace.  We love you and are sure glad you fill our days with so much joy!!!

Oh look!  I can grow my own baby Christmas tree!

Polly Pockets!

Thanks for the birthday money Grandma and Grandpa M!!!

Sportin' her new skirt and sweater, holding her new Sleeping Beauty baby...

Oh What Fun it is to Dance at a Scythian Show!

The girls had a blast, as did their friends, grandparents, siblings and parents. What a fun night! Moira, Eileen and friend Elizabeth performed their planned number, which they had choreographed months ago from another event - it worked well! They did a great job. Later in the night the other dancers in attendance (that would be Colleen, Bridget, Teresa and one of their teachers) were able to jump in for a couple of reels. Saint Brendan's Inn, and of course Scythian, were so very welcoming! Now they are excited to dance again tomorrow. Since I was unable to attend the first show, I will take more pictures at the Thursday show. Here are a few that the girls' friends took...

The day before the show, we hunted down some Packer tickets for the guys. They were thrilled to attend a game at Lambeau Field.  Here are the girls with the band members (and two and their sound/light guys): Alex, Dan, Dante, Moira, Joey, Eileen, Nathan and Mike

Bridget, Colleen and Teresa checking out Scythian's big bus...the "Church Bus"

The girls had to assemble the small stage for their performance.  It was slippery, so they pulled out their best trick, learned from past experience....that is, spraying the whole floor with extra hold hairspray, as Moira is doing in this picture.  Yup, that did the trick!

Here are the three girls, Elizabeth, Moira and Eileen, all ready to dance.

The dancing shoes are properly decorated with Scythian stickers!

Scythian...

We do have some videos, which I will try to post once my kids finish uploading them :)

Oh, and if you said a prayer for Eileen's dress to arrive in time for Thursday's performance, THANK YOU!!!  It arrived on time, she is completely thrilled with it and it fits her perfectly! She cannot wait to wear it for the first time.  I'll be sure to take lots of pictures.