Time away...

Daddy and I go out (without children) about 3 times a year ~ may not seem like a lot, but it works for us.  Once in June to a homeschooling conference, once in October for our Anniversary and once in December.  We also go out once in November/December with some of our blessings (this year all but the little's!).

One of the trips in December is a day of Christmas shopping.  We went on Tuesday of this week.  As always it was awesome to have him all to myself!  I had done a lot of our shopping on line this year, so it lessened the load for when we were out and about!  Next year I think we'll do more on~line to make our day even slower and more relaxed (more hand holding, blah, blah, blah :).  Maybe purchase list items on~line and personal finds at the stores.  We were able to find some great things that actually brought to mind the people we were shopping for.  For the little's we did most of our shopping in one spot ~ at the store!  But, believe it or not they really weren't that easy!  We were looking for things that jumped out at us.  Something that we could say "Oh, they will love this!"  We did find them, but at different stores.  We did well avoiding the whole 'just buy it to buy it thing'.
This year it snowed while we were out shopping.  We felt terrible about it (didn't know it was in the forecast!), because Grandma and Grandpa have a long drive home without the snow!  We really appreciate the fact that they drive down as far as they do to "play" with the little's.  It is nice to be able to go and know that our children our safe and loved while we are out.  It makes for a much more relaxed adventure :)

Our last trip out for the year (until June) is to this concert.  For this we will have with us 4 of our 7 blessings!  We are excited about that.  We are extremely excited for Sister K and Sister E who have never been!  We hope they enjoy it as much as the rest of us :)  We are a little worried about the fact that it is VERY loud (as are all concerts!), so we are going to take ear plugs for them, just in case it bothers them!  Last year we saw some little's at the concert that looked like they were only about 4 or 5 and they seemed to do alright.  But, we will take them just in case! 
Unfortunately, the forecast is calling for snow again on the day of the concert!  Wouldn't ya know it...

Speaking of snow, according to tonight's forecast we are in for a lot of it ~ 3" - 5" tonight and 5" - 6" more tomorrow!  Woo - hoo!!  Got your sleds ready?

Talk to ya soon...

1st Week of Advent...

Our week has been full!  Monday and Tuesday all 3 animals had vet appointments.  That was a crazy bill!  On Wednesday the twins had Dr. appointments.  It was just a 3 year check up, and every thing went great.  They both are healthy and doing well! 
Wednesday was also the feast day of St. Francis Xavier.  I had purchased a movie for us to watch after supper.  I asked the boys if they wanted to watch it and they said "no" so it still sits here.  We ate by advent candle light (this we have done all week) and then for dessert we had some ship cake!


Yes, I know it doesn't look much like a ship!  It was actually supposed to look more like a sailboat, but... we couldn't find anything to work as a sail.  It is sitting in water though! :)
Thursday was pretty quiet (as quiet as it can get around here!).  Friday, I spent time preparing for the feast of St. Nicholas.  In honor of his feast day, the kids (all of them, other than sister K and sister E, we will celebrate when they come home on the 12th), received goody bags in their shoes.

The goody bags for the littles all contained a clementine, gold coins, a candy cane, and a little toy.  The two older kids received the same things minus the little toy :)  Instead they received tickets to see these guys in concert!  If your music is on then you heard a little bit of their music :)  They are AMAZING!  This is our 3rd year going.  When sissy opened her goody bag, she thought the little paper in it was a picture of St. Nicholas!  Daddy had to make her look at it, and she was very excited! 
After supper we enjoyed 'Black forest "good works" cake".

The cherries on the top are supposed to represent St. Nicks good works that were noticeable.  The cherries hidden in the center represent his 'hidden' good works.  Those done in secret!  It was YUMMY!
I purchased a movie and a book, for this feast day also.  The kids and us have watched it a couple of times.
Today, we lit our second advent candle!  Week two has begun!  This week we will celebrate the feasts of The Immaculate Conception, St. Juan Diego, Our Lady of Guadalupe and St. Lucy!  We also have Dr. appointments, Mom and Dad shopping day and a trip to the tree farm for a Christmas tree!  It's bound to be another GREAT week!

Talk to ya soon...

Advent...

Our new church calendar began on Sunday with the first day of Advent.  The first day of Advent also begins my favorite time of our liturgical calendar!  This year we are again using our Advent wreath and our nativity scene to help us count down or "prepare" for the birth of Christ.

I kind of spruced up our Advent wreath this year by adding new silk flowers in it.  I added pink and purple flowers to join the colors of the Christmas holiday and the colors of the Advent season.  I also went to our local parish and obtained some Holy water.

On Saturday, daddy blessed our wreath with a prayer and then sprinkled Holy water on it.  It was ready to use on Sunday!

We also set out our nativity scene.  Well, not all of it.  Each day we will add something new to it, building up to the big day!  Day 1 - the stable; Day 2 - the straw.  Last night the 3 littles, me and daddy added snow to the scene.  Each night after blowing out the Advent candle, the kids will pick an item to add to the scene.  On Christmas Eve, they will place Mary and Joseph in the stable.  Mary and Joseph have already started their travels...we placed them in our family room and each day they slowly move towards the stable searching for a safe place to give birth to Jesus.  I can't wait to see what is in the stable Christmas morning!

We also prepared our fireplace mantle for Advent.  Sister K helped me.  Originally I had the statue of Jesus off to the side and was trying to place the flowers and berries around Him there, but it just didn't look right.  Sister K suggested I place Him in the center "because He is in the center of the holiday anyways!"  So, I did as she suggested and it looks great!  Thanks, sister K :)

We haven't decorated for "Christmas" yet.  We will be doing that the weekend of Gaudete Sunday.    Gaudete refers to the first word of the Entrance Antiphon "rejoice", lighting the rose candle signifies rejoicing that we are over half way until the birth of Christ, our Savior!  On that weekend of rejoicing we will put up our Christmas tree and decorate!

Talk to ya soon...

"3"

Monday was the brother S and brother J's 3rd birthday.  I can't believe they are 3 already!! 
Sunday we had our families over for a birthday celebration.  It was loads of fun!  Here are a few pictures for you to enjoy...


The cake...created by sister K!

The cake...created by sister E!

Brother S...sneaking in some of his cake :)

Candle time!!!

This actually took 2 or 3 times, because they kept blowing them out before we were done singing (the time when we would have been ready to snap a picture!)

Our little peanut and sister E enjoying some cake and ice cream :)

Yummy, Yummy!

PRESENTS!!

Playing with our new presents.

Patiently waiting his turn :)

Talk to ya soon...