Field trip and more soccer

 We visited an Alpaca farm with our Homeschool Field Trip group yesterday in a nearby town and learned so much! Then had our third soccer games of the season today.

Soccer Saturday and Baptism Day lunch

Game #2 for these kids. Sebastian scored 2 goals. I'm not sure about Cecilia, but she played 'til her cheeks were red and had tons of fun. So proud of them! Sebastian reminds me so much of Allia with his big strong kicks.

Then Austin, Sebastian and I met Lito for lunch as a belated baptism day treat for Sebastian since yesterday was so crazy. 

Track meet

 Stephen had his only in-town track meet this afternoon/evening. We had a crazy busy Friday, but most of us managed to make it to watch him. He did really well in his jumps this time.

Solar Eclipse Day!

 We had a busy morning of school and a co-op class but managed to make it home in time to view the eclipse. We stopped by the library before picking Anastasia up from her class, and they had a craft, eclipse themed snacks and even a few pairs of glasses per family, which was perfect since I had only bought a six pack. The weather was cloudy, but we kept getting glimpses here and there. Then the sky cleared briefly just in time to see it!

Mariana went on a big road trip with some friends to a place of totality. They had a great time and said it was really cool to experience!

Country Kids

There is just nothing like a dirt pile...they will spend hours playing together in it. Cecilia even entertained herself alone for over an hour out there. She is definitely a "country girl" and loves to be outside. I love the view from the front porch. It's my new favorite hang out spot (until summer at least!).

Soccer and Prom!

 We started the day out with 8am soccer games and ended with Gloria going to homeschool prom.

I sure love this beautiful girl!

New Tires!

 We knew the truck needed new tires when we bought it, but Gloria wanted to save up to get some nicer ones plus new rims. She was finally ready, and we were able to get them put on right before prom so she could go in style. Sadly, someone rear ended Austin on his way home from the tire shop, but at least it looks fancier from the side! :/

Easter Kite flying

She had been wanting a kite and received one in her Easter basket. God generously provided us with wind during the whole Octave week!

Cookie making

 These two made and bagged 72 cookies (well, actually more so that we could have a few) on behalf of Stephen's 4-H Air Rifle/Pistol team to donate to the NRA banquet. It was quite a feat!

Happy Easter!

Despite attending (and M singing) the Vigil, the girls came to mass with us this morning (and M sang again!). It was nice to all be at the same Easter mass, minus Allia. She joined us for lunch afterwards with some of her college friends, and we also hosted our favorite Seminarian, Chris (who used to be one of the kids' youth leaders). It was a beautiful celebration!

Baskets before mass

I sure love these beautiful kids!

Gloria learning to carve a brisket.

And of course, the egg hunt!

Holy Saturday

We spent time preparing our hearts and minds for Jesus during lent and especially this Holy Week. We watched our youth in the passion play (including Gloria as a "weeping woman"), attended the beautiful Mass of the Lord's Supper (at which Austin directed and Gloria sang with the Women's Schola), attended the Veneration of the Cross (at which Mariana sang with an amazing choir), and all but Cecilia and I attended Tenebrae. It was busy but just such an incredible way to prepare. 

Today we are preparing our home and table for Easter. ALL the kids dyed eggs with the grandparents while I grocery shopped and began some of the food prep. They made crowns of glory and helped me make desserts and get the house tidied up, table set, eggs stuffed, etc. It is truly a group effort. We even squeezed in some garden prep in the afternoon so Sebastian could start his gardening project before the weather gets too warm. We are so ready to celebrate Easter with family and friends tomorrow (or tonight for Mariana and Gloria as they attend the Vigil).

Anastasia made Macarons with Allia and even took photos of them for her photography project.

Happy 10th Birthday, Sebastian!

We had Pawpaw and Manah over for dinner last night. This morning, it was a busy Monday. But we made time to open family gifts before driving around town. While we were out, we stopped for donuts and were introduced to this donut-eating squirrel. He almost jumped in my car when he was sitting on the window ledge begging. The kids laughed at me because I screamed!

Allia came over for a visit, which was extra special since she is so busy with nursing school these days!

We sure love our big, sweet boy!

Big Saturday!

I made plans with Sebastian to attend the annual master gardener plant sale and shop for his garden, which is his 4-H Project this year. He received lots of things and some money to help him get ready at his birthday party last weekend. However, we went later than last year, and almost all the plants were gone! Thankfully we had a backup plan for a local farmers' market, which was perfect. They had plenty of good plants and knowlegeable helpers. I even came home with a few plants for my new flower beds, which was what I was hoping for.

We returned home to a yard full of awesome college student helpers that were here for Big Event. They helped us so much in finishing out the flower beds and laying dirt along the driveway as well as a few other smaller tasks. Anastasia made cookies for us to serve with lunch.

Cecilia thoroughly enjoyed chatting and working with all the girls. She became one of the gang!

Austin and Sebastian found this critter dangerously near Sebastian's hand, while working on a sprinkler head, and promptly killed it!

Then the boys even served mass in the evening. We are so thankful for a busy but productive day!