Laundry time!

This is how I get the laundry put away! I put mister 'tips over when you least expect it and bonks his head' inside the laundry basket! His sisters couldn't resist joining him!

Snowgirl and Spiderman

I don't know how these kids do it...it was 104 degrees outside!!! They were having a blast pretending to be spiderman and "spidergirls" with Allia acting as "Goater". She would splash water at them, and they would flee (since spiderman and his buddies don't like water). Too cute!

First day of school

We started school yesterday! Allia started 2nd grade, and Mariana started Kindergarten. They were so excited (which I am sure will wear off soon)! Here they are doing their art lessons.


And just for fun since she looks like such a schoolgirl in this photo...

Command performance

Last night after dinner Austin and I were ordered into the living room by the girls for a "performance" which turned out to be the three of them doing the dances to their three favorite VBS songs. Here is a video of one song with the added vocal stylings of my silly husband. He had me laughing so hard I had to stop recording!

Fun and a funny

Some fun at the pool today...Austin jumped in holding each of the girls, and they really enjoyed it!












And on the way home from 5:30 mass yesterday evening, we were discussing the gospel on the "narrow gate"...

Allia: Yeah, and you should not wear roller skates to Heaven if the gate is narrow because you might not be able to stop. Then you would just roll right past the gate.

8 Months Old!

This guy is growing so fast. I cannot believe he is 8 months old already!

He is sitting up well but still occasionally tips over so I surround him with pillows. He is our first non-carpet baby, so I am much more cautious. I just hate to hear that head bonk on the floor! He is also very vocal, with his favorite babble being "Mamama." He loves his sisters SO much. They entertain and care for him very well. He is a great eater...better start upping the grocery budget now!

Here he is sleeping with his hiney in the air and mouth open thanks to our third summer cold this year. :-p What a cutie!

Splash pad fun

Every night this summer at bedtime, Mariana has asked me if we can go to the splashpad. So tonight we finally made it, picnic dinner and all, and they had SO much fun!






Gloria played out of the water and around the water for a good 30 mintues or more before venturing in...with me. But after I went in with her she gradually built up confidence.


Here is Gloria studying the dumping bucket of water. She did actually get under it right before it was time to go. So proud...

Big helper

So sweet!
And to Allia's credit, she actually feeds Stephen quite frequently I have just never caught it on camera. Mariana just had him smiling the whole time here so I couldn't resist!

A Baby Shower and a Birthday

(and Austin's baptism day and a schola performance) What a weekend!

On Saturday we first went out to breakfast to celebrate Austin's baptism day, and then came home and threw a shower for some very dear friends of ours who are expecting their first baby, a girl, in October. It was lots of fun.

Baby food tasting game...mmmm.


Here are the happy parents opening gifts (with grandmother taking notes!)


And here is the pass the paci game. We played this at a small couples shower we threw for some friends many years ago. It is really fun and brings out the competitive side of everyone in the bunch!


Then on Sunday we celebrated the birthday of my wonderful husband (along with the Solemnity of the Assumption of Mary). He had to sing for mass in the morning, but I made his favorite cake and a nice meal for dinner. He is certainly worth celebrating! I love you, Austin!

And of course Mom and Dad were a huge help taking care of the kiddos, not to mention that they made the celebrations more fun too. :-)

Some cuties

Sister in the House

We had the blessing of a visit from Sister Amata Filia of the Sisters of Life yesterday. It was such and honor and a blessing to get to visit with her a little bit. She babysat the girls in her college days (when there were only 2 of them!) and was active in the Coalition for Life with us here before leaving for New York. We miss her but are glad she is enjoying her beautiful vocation!

High Aspirations

As Mariana brushes my hair this afternoon, which I really enjoy...

Mariana: Mommy, I am a good hair brusher. I think I will be a brusher when I grow up. Yes, a brusher...or a cutter. I'll be a hair brusher or cutter.

Me: Oh?...

Mariana: Yes, and you had better not go to anyone else. If there is an orange haired girl there with brown eyes don't go to her because it is not me.

Me: I would never dream of going to anyone but you.

Mariana: Yes, I will be a brusher when I grow up.

Stephen's Trick

Mini me

This is a dress my mom sewed for me as a little girl. It was on one of the girls dolls (one of my old cabbage patch dolls!), and somehow they discovered that it would fit Gloria and helped her into it!

Inside and out