MARIANNA WAS HERE!

She asks, "Can I play this?"

And the next thing we know, games and puzzles are everywhere.

She thinks she's pretty funny, too.

Here's her string game version of the Eiffel Tower.

Very nice!

Some Boogey Blues

There are signs of it everywhere...

here...

and here...

 

and even here (just a foot away from the kitchen trash).

 

The house is literally decorated with leftovers from the head cold

we've all had.

 

 

Francis manages a boogey smile or as Marianna would say...

he's got "the snots", too.

 

 

Update on the fam!

Haven't done one of these since before Francis was born.  Gonna just give a few details for each person since time is limited these days...

Joseph...since leaving seminary, passed on the job at Auto Value.  Started working 8-5 for the Co-op (maintenance on trucks) and will be a fertilizer applicator for the summer. Fishing on the weekends and becoming a pro at ping pong in the evenings.

Tim...enjoying break from school, working his usual hours at Auto Value and picking up the odd grocery items that I seem to forget these days.  Losing skill at ping pong and trying valiantly to keep his car on the road in the crazy weather we've been having lately.

Stephen...cleaned out the basement of his new (away-from-home) living arrangements and will be moving there on Thursday.  Delivering pizza 5 nights a week to stay afloat financially and just lost his ping pong title last night. (So sad!)

Clare...reading the Hunger Games novels voraciously (while texting simultaneously...guess we all have to be good at something).  Hoping we never start up with school again!!

Matthew...watching hours of Indiana Jones and crafting endless marble runs for younger siblings.

Andrew...designing buildings on an ancient 3D Home Architect program (the one I borrowed from Grandpa Jerry...13 years ago, but who's counting?) Patiently waiting for his mother to get back into that school thing!

Therese...beading, beading and more beading.  Staying up WAY. TOO. LATE !!! to do more beading.

Johnny...can anyone say "football"?  It's the play-offs...what else is there in life?

Gabriel...begging for anyone to play games with him (except Marianna, apparently she doesn't count as a worthy adversary in his eyes)  Also, begging for people to go sledding with him, which he is slightly more convincing at.

Marianna...What can I say?  She's in charge. Right?! I just glued her glasses back together for the sixth time. (Note to self...must order new glasses.)

Francis...standing ALL. BY. HIMSELF. for short periods of time.  Soon he'll show his sister who's REALLY in charge!

How we've stayed busy for an extended cold snap...

 

First of all, it helps to have a few extremely popular Christmas gifts.

 

This maze thingy (like my description?)  has kept everyone busy, including all of the visitors we had over the Christmas holiday.

Most of the older kids have it figured out.  Johnny claims that he's beat it, too.  We're not sure if we believe him, though.

 

Then there's this big guy who came courtesy of Fr. John Paul (Francis' godfather). He's really soft and HUGE!!!

Some of the crew have tried riding him and here Andrew is dancing with him (wish I could have got it on video).  Then there was a little fighting with our friendly pony, as well.

They've also stayed busy with some bigger puzzles...

 

 

 and plenty of fresh air...

 

and fishing...

 

 

when it's been warm enough to be outside, that is.

We'll see if we all go crazy by tomorrow when the temps. are supposed to break some records.

SOME PEOPLE in this family are pushing for a break from school.

I say, maybe we need a little school to whip things back into shape around here.

Been off since before Christmas...gotta get back in the groove sometime!

Movie Review by Gabers

(After watching Indiana Jones Raiders of the Lost Ark with his siblings)

"People melt and there's lots of snakes...it's pretty much 'sgusting."

Debonair Man

Here's Francis in some of his winter finery, compliments of his godmother.

OK, the hat is my creation.

See...he LOVES it!

Sweet little Church sweater....I'll have to try for a better picture this coming Sunday.

Anyway, they fit beautifully and will see a lot of action this winter.

A big thank you to Kristin!

Marianna's dollhouse

 

This year, I asked Dan to build a dollhouse for Marianna.  Just something simple,

a couple of walls and a roof.  He told me nothing is simple in the dollhouse world.

It would take hours to build, hours he doesn't have this year.

 

 

So, Timothy decided to take matters in to his own hands.

And he enlisted Joseph's help.

 



 

And Dan was right...it took hours....and hours.

More hours than these big brothers bargained for.

But they burned the midnight oil, literally.

 



 

And made a beautiful memory.

 



 

Thanks guys.  You did good.

 

 



A few of my favorite things

Every Christmas is a hodge podge of decorating.  Whatever we get around to putting up...that's it for the year.  So I'm posting some of the things that I liked from this year and who knows, maybe they'll revisit us next year.

Our beautiful tree that fell down Christmas night.

Christmas dinner....Fr. John Paul joined us only minutes after this picture was taken.

The little people discovered the art of snowflakes this year.
(Blurry picture taken while Francis was in my arms.)

Nativity on the piano, safely out of reach for Francis.

Baby Jesus makes an appearance at our dinner table every year.