Seven Quick Takes

I

Today I kind of have that mixed feeling of "Is it Friday already??" and "Maaaan, this week was long!"  Either way, I am glad it is Friday, but boy. this is a busy weekend.

II

I gave Andrew his early anniversary gift - a "new" mountain bike.  So around here, it's been all bikes, all the time.  It's been super fun, as biking is something the whole family enjoys and can do together.  The two little girls love being in the trailer and the three older kids do a great job of riding along, so it's been great fun.  And, as a bonus, we've been using the car way less, so I anticipate this little hobby will fund itself.  Hooray for that!

III

Wednesday was the Feast of St. Lawrence.  My parents invited us up for a BBQ in honor of the great, grilled saint.  It was delish and tons of fun.  My mom certainly doesn't skimp in the food department, and that is a happy thing!

IV

This weekend is the Grand Opening of the Natural Parenting Education Network, of which I have been a part.  It is very exciting to see the project getting in its feet.  Come by and visit!  Food, wine, music!



This weekend is also the Assumption Pilgrimage at St. Boniface.  I am HUGELY bummed to miss it, but I will offer my bummedness (I am sure that's a word) for the valiant pilgrims!  And my family will definitely be there.

V

To add spice to out already incredibly busy Saturday, Andrew wants to participate in a "Bike Obstacle For Charity" thingy.  (I told you it was all bikes all the time!)  I am hoping Christopher can do it as well.  Fun and cute!

VI

Um.  Crud.  Seven is always such a hard number to get.  Oh!  School starts Tuesday!  Yipes!  Christopher is super excited and that is a wonderful thing.  I hadn't planned on starting the others until closer to September, but they are kind of chomping at the bit, so we may start a bit early.  Not that I am even closed to prepared.

VII

Here's my little angler.  She makes me laugh.  She's 14 months old and STILL not walking.  Not because she can't, mind you, but because she won't.  She's far to smart for that silly walking stuff - why walk, when you can be the princess everyone carries?  Her siblings are spoiling. spoiling. spoiling her.  And I'm just fine with that.

(I have a better picture than this, but of course, I can't find it.)

Happy Weekend!

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Seven Quick Takes --Catch Up Edition

Hello, July!  Where did my friend June go?  He must have been swept away in the rains.  We have had a busy, busy month.  Remember those long, lazy summer days of childhood?  I was expecting those in adulthood, too.  Ha!  I sure was wrong!  Here is our lightening speed June in Quick Takes

~1~

Christopher's scout den had a camp out at my parents cottage over Pentecost.  The wonderful Fr. Jeff came up and celebrated Mass for the boys.  What a special experience for those boys (and the families who tagged along!).

~2~  

We've been eating lots of summer foods and soaking up the sun when it decides to shine.  Andrew has poured countless hours into our back yard this summer and it has been SO very worth it!

~3~
We have had insane amounts of rain this summer, so the river has been really high and fast.  Andrew and the kids finally had a chance to get in a couple of weeks ago.  

~4~

What is a summer without firearms?

Nothing like walking out of the house to find your girly-girl shooting a gun!

And Christopher, too.  But that is nothing new :)

~5~

This is a fuzzy stolen-from-Facebook picture, but Corpus Christi was beautiful as always!  Christopher served, along with about 35 other boys!

~6~

FIDDLER'S!!!  A summer highlight for us and this year's event did NOT disappoint!  Best. Fiddler's. Ever.

Fun skirts required

Napping in the hot sun.  Shortly after this picture, Andrew used is Filipino innovativeness to build Avi a sun shade out of a pizza box.  He is turning into his dad!

Henna happiness!  If I weren't such a wimp, I would make this permanent.  I wuv it.

We ran into a bunch of friends at Fiddler's and that made the day all the better!

~7~

Andrew decided it was now or never for our dining room flooring, so the other day he ripped it all up AND tore down a fake wall that was closing off the French Doors.  Now we are knee deep in dust, mess, and the potential of fabulous flooring.  It's the fun kind of messy, right?

Seven Quick Takes -- Avi Edition

~1~

 I am in complete shock that an ENTIRE YEAR has passed since Avila was born.  Look at that sweet smooshy face!  Where did it go??

~2~

 She is growing and changing at lightening speed, but she is still one of her daddy's favorite nap partners!

~3~

 And is there anything better that sisters??  Grace was so excited to celebrate Avila's big day.  She baked and decorated a beautiful cake for her.  And she made her a sweet little clothespin doll and wrapped it up for her.  Big sisters caring for little sisters make this mama happy!

 ~3~

               

It wouldn't be a first birthday without a naked baby eating chocolate cake!  She loved it!

~4~

 Presents from her ever crafty and thoughtful Nana!!  (Can you see the card in that second picture? Anja is a genius!)  There were other gifts, too, but these are the only ones that jumped in front of the camera!

~5~

It was great to celebrate our Avi!  As the fifth child, she probably doesn't get the undivided attention that the others get -- at least not of the gentle variety.  Does getting knocked down by a reckless older brother count?  I don't really think so!  Also, as the fifth child, she is the literal embodiment of why it is so great to be Catholic, so great to go against the secular grain, and so great to allow God to control our lives.  So, hooray for Avila!  We are so glad she is here!

~6~

Seven is starting to feel like a really ginormous number!  Sheesh.

~7~

Happy Birthday to our sweet, messy, curious, ornery little monkey!  (Did I mention she can climb anything??  Like the backs of chairs.  Yikes.  I am to terrified in the moment to take pictures, so you'll just have to use your imagination!)

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