Happy Birthday Bridget!

We have our second birthday celebration in the month of January, and a new 12 year old in the house. Happy Birthday, Bridget! We love you very much and thank you for the joy you've brought us for the past 12 years! You kept us on our toes when you were a toddler (you were our busiest baby!) and you keep us all laughing with your deep thoughts and great sense of humor now! You sure have made life better for our family. Thanks for being you! Bridgee-boo at about 18 months

And now...

Wii Fun!

The kids have enjoyed their Wii they got for Christmas! Here's a picture of three of the younger kids playing. Erin is not "plugged in" but she sure enjoys the game none-the-less. She watches the racing track and turns the wheel, back and forth, so seriously. It cracks me up! She's such a little mimic. She loves to do whatever the other kids are doing.

Anyone Want Some Beta Fish?

As part of Moira's Natural History/Biology course this year, she is required to do a number of lab experiments. For one of her labs she chose to observe, and set up experiments, using Beta fish. She had a number of arrangements and settings for these fish, two males and two females. Of course you cannot predict how your subjects will respond to the environment you provide; you just carry out the activities and hope they cooperate. Well, as you can see, Moira came to her final conclusion to her project by writing her somewhat brief summery on the fish bowl. See for yourself the conclusion she came to, written with black permanent marker. Well Moira, better luck next time!

DUMB FISH

Erin's New Trick

It seems Erin wants to get in on a little bloggin' too. This is her latest little predicament. She wants to use the computer, but she's just too short to reach the keyboard. So she brings the keyboard to her....it works much better this way!

More video of Erin walking

Erin is making great progress with walking! She walks about 50% of the time now. :)

Go Erin go!

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

I took this video early in the morning, so her hair is a crazy mess.

Favorite Christmas photos

Christmas Eve day starts with what seems to be never-ending snow blowing and shoveling. A white christmas is a guaruntee this year! (I think we are at record breaking snowfall for December)...



The day, busy with last-minute Christmas shopping, quickly turnes to Christmas Eve! The house is lit with window lights and anxious anticipation. From the outside, one sees calm and peacefulness. Oh, but on the inside it is quite another story, as it is filled with endless activity!




Keeping with neighborhood tradition, we light our luminaries.




On the inside, the kids are gathered around the fireplace, staying warm. The little ones keep checking Santa tracker on the internet to see if he's getting closer. After Mike reads the nativity story, and this year a bonus Irish Christmas tale, the kids are off to bed.




Christmas morning arrives very early, as usual. Aidan is relieved to see that Santa DID come! He was just a little nervous.

Bridget and Eileen

Aidan with his much wanted gorillas (I think Santa needs to bring him new pajamas, don't you?)
Erin loves the paper and bows!


After all the presents are unwrapped, off to Christmas Mass we go! Here's Molly Grace, Aidan and Teresa in front of our beautiful nativity scene displayed at our church.

Later that night we gather with Grandma and Grandpa D, Kelley and Kelly, Patrick and the cousins. We miss Grandma and Grandpa M, who had to cancel their travel plans due to our endless snow. We sure missed them!
Owen and Emmett

Conal and Aidan
The kids, opening the surprise package from Grandma and Grandpa M.

Patrick, lovin' his Favre Jet's jersey!
Moira, who took most all of the pictures!
The pjs for the girls that Grandma M. made.
Favre on the back...
And the favorite Irish band, Scythian, on the front...
Margaret and Molly Grace

Of course we all need a big Conal smile to make our Christmas day complete!
Bridget, Eileen and Colleen with Grandma D.
Group shot...
Erin, enjoying every minute of the day. I think she kinda likes Chirstmas celebrations, don't you?! What fun! Merry Christmas!!!

Cookies Galore!!!

We made just a few cookies this year. Over 500! We gave many away as gifts but still have plenty here to tempt us. The menu this year includes Mike's favorite, congo bars (made famous by his Aunt Mauvy), cranberry orange cookies (those are for Moira and me), chocolate truffles, preztel kiss and rolo bombs (Teresa and Aidan's favorite) and Andes candy peppermint cookies. As Molly Grace says, "those are yum!".

A Nice Reunion

Last weekend we were able to take a little road trip to visit family and some of our favorite friends on this planet! We had such a great time going out to dinner, and as usual, Moira took tons of pictures!!!


Eileen, Sweet Anna Maria and Bridget



Erin's Godparents, Juan and Erin, holding our little Erin

Bridget with Anna Maria, who is now 2 1/2 years old

Erin with Grandma

The little ones...




Uncle Patrick holding Erin

Erin with Mom and Godmother, Erin

Our favorite priest, Father Eric, who we miss so much!



Grandpa taking care of Molly Grace

A familiar scene when we see Father Eric!

Then it was time to head home to Grandma and Grandpa's house. It only took little miss busy-body a few minutes to discover a treasure in the bottom cupboard.

Recycle bags are lots of fun


Grandma and Grandpa's house always has fun toys.

Do you think Aidan and Teresa are just a little excited to be at Grandma and Grandpa's house?!