More Pictutes from Moira's 18th Birthday Party

A friend sent some more pictures of Moira and Father Eric's birthday bash.  (Thanks, Stacie!!!)  We miss our friends who recently moved back to Madison.  Our girls were their babysitters here in GB, and you can see how happy they all were to see each other again! 

Moira, Bridget, Eileen holding our Goddaughter Katharine, and Molly Grace

Teresa, Molly Grace, Maria and Erin

Eileen and Katharine

Maria and Moira

Timmy, Mark and Aidan

Teresa, Aidan, Seamus and Maria

Me, Nicolas and Tim

Mike and Erin

Holy Week

After 40 days of Lent, we have finally come to the Easter Triduum, the holiest time of the liturgical year.  Last night we attended the beautiful Mass with our Bishop at St. Francis Cathedral. 

"Leaving aside "my will" for "thy will" is the drama of humanity. But it is not slavery; rather it is an entering into truth and love and goodness" - Pope Benedict XVI   (The full text of the Triduum meditation)

Our family will begin praying the Divine Mercy Chaplet today, a nine day novena celebrating the mercy of God.  It is beautiful and I love that the feast of Divine Mercy comes the Sunday after Easter :)


"On each day of the novena you will bring to My Heart a different group of souls and you will immerse them in this ocean of My mercy... On each day you will beg My Father, on the strength of My passion, for the graces for these souls. By this novena I will grant every possible grace to souls." - Jesus to Saint Faustina

Love this Picture!

Oh yes, they are both into taking off their clothes lately...including their diapers. Any chance they get, the clothes come off! We have tried putting their onesies on backwards, so the snaps are in the back. We have tried zip up pjs. We have even tried duct tape on the diapers. If one takes HIS clothes off (yes, he is usually the instigator) then Erin will need to do the same. The only thing that has worked to keep clothes on is zip up pjs with a safety pin at the top! On the positive side, Erin is getting a lot of OT therapy, using all the little muscles in her fingers, with all this undressing! Good thing I didn't pay money for that therapy. I think this will be the summer to potty train both kids :).

Clean and Cool!

This is a clean little man, after his sister gave him a bath.  If you look closely into the shades, you may be able to see which sister.

Saint Patrick's Day

Last year we got so lucky for St. Patrick's Day; it was about 65 degrees and sunny!  This year, not so much. It was cold, windy and drizzly.  The rain held off until the very end of the girls' performance, but overall, it was not a pleasant day. I guess that is my excuse for not getting a lot of pictures :).  It was Molly Grace and cousin Margaret's very first time on stage.  They were very poised and confident. Next time I'll try to get better photos!

Molly Grace, dancing the jig

Molly Grace, far left, getting ready to dance.  Margaret, far right with a smile on her face (just above the head in the way)

Here we ALL are, piling in the Suburban to drive back to the beginning of the parade.  Funny how the camera focused on the beer bottle.  LOL.  Just kidding....it's actually ROOTbeer. 

Stylin' Time

Molly Grace and Erin recently got some stylin hairdos. It was Erin first real haircut. She really screamed whenever I tried to cut it, so I was quite doubtful that she'd sit still for someone she didn't even know. She proved me wrong! She did beautifully, thankfully, with no problems.

The before...

 

 

 And the after...

  

And Molly Grace loved her new style, with braid and pixie dust

Happy 18th Birthday Moira!!!

Moira had a really special 18th birthday celebration!  Ever since she was quite young, we have tried to get together with Father Eric on April 4th, because they share a birthday on this day!  This year, Father Eric turned 50, so it called for a grand party.  Father, Pastor of Saint Paul's at UW Madison, planned a big birthday bash and we celebrated with his friends, our families, many of his students there, and some of our long-time friends from Madison. (I do have more pictures coming...)

The following day, we headed back to Green Bay so Moira could vote for the first time!


It sure is amazing having an 18 year old!  Moira is a fabulous daughter.  She has made us so very proud over the years....and she will continue to share her gifts with the world.  She plans to attend Franciscan University of Steubenville next fall to study nursing.

We love you very much, Moira!!!


Here is blast from the past....Moira and her cousin Owen (who turned 18 in December).  I believe they are age 5 here.  Wow, does time fly!  God bless you both, Moira and Owen!!!

French Toast

Molly Grace:  Mom, you know that French toast?  Well, I can't really taste the French....only the toast. :)

Nothinbuttrouble!

See this...

If I had a nickle for every time this child pulled the books off the shelf.....

There is supposed to be an order to these school books, arranged by grade or time period in history. I pick them up, racking my brain, over and over....which book goes on which shelf?  Which book is Greek history? Roman history?  Is this a third grade book or a fourth grade book? 



In the end, I really don't think he cares about my troubles.  In fact, I am sure he does not care.  He sure provides me with some job security now, doesn't he?!  Somebody's always gotta be pickin' up the books!

Little Princess

Erin taking a little time off princess duty to enjoy a good book!