Emma's Baptism Day

We have enjoyed celebrating our Baptism Days in the family. The 13th was Emma's special day. She and Michaela had well child checks that morning and then we enjoyed lunch at a friends house. That evening we decided to take them to McDonalds because they LOVE the play place and good do to on a rainy day. However, it ended up being super nuts because of course it was a McTakeover night. Oh well. We ate, played a little bit and headed home to make Ice Cream Sundaes and let her open her gifts. She is already enjoying and figuring out her Busy Bible, so cool!! St. Catherine of Siena, pray for her.

Our Epiphany Celebration

Well I had some fun plans for this year's Epiphany celebration, but because we all ended up getting sick and I was out of commission, it was very simple! I even bought store bought cupcakes (aahhh!) to have as treats for the girls and managed to sneak a quarter in them when they weren't looking! Luckily, I had done my shopping early with Christmas sales at Catholic Child and saved some stocking stuffers from Christmas for the Epiphany. We only do Christmas stockings for each other on Christmas and then each get three gifts on the Epiphany to remember the story of the wise men and the gifts baby Jesus received. The girls got a couple neat videos and books from Catholic Child and also some new animal puppets!! Hopefully next year we won't be sick and we can celebrate a little more! Always bittersweet when the Epiphany arrives because I know that the Christmas decorations and tree and nativity are all being put away until next year....

Michaela Marie's Baptism

On December 27th, we celebrated Michaela's Baptism. It was a special day to have it being the Feast of the Holy Family. We were blessed to have so many family and friends help us celebrate this special day when Michaela joined the Church family, was washed clean of original sin and as we joke "no more pagan baby"! It was also special because we had some water from the Sea of Galilee and the Jordan River poured into the Baptismal Font!! So cool! There were several babies and young children being baptized and they all did really well!! I love the smell of the holy chrism so much that I try not to wash it off her forehead for a few days. Thank you to our friends John & Jenny for saying yes to being godparents and helping us always direct and support Michaela in her faith. We enjoyed a fun party back at my parents house and thank you to all who came by and also for Michaela's beautiful cards and gifts and prayers. We are truly blessed with wonderful friends and a wonderful Church family! St. Michael and Mary our Mother, pray for Michaela!

With Father Lappe

Godparents, John & Jenny

With Aunt Alli & Aunt Caitlin

With Marmee & Poppy

Finally....a fun get together

When I was growing up we lived here in Bremerton for about 5 years. We made some life long friends and stayed super close over all these years and it has been wonderful to live back here close to them. Every Christmas we would all get together to visit and all of kids would play. It has been several years since have done this but this year it actually happened!! It is so different to be together, except now "us kids" are grown up and talking jobs and mingling with each other's husbands and watching OUR kids play!! Amazing, surreal and such a blessing and gift. I have got to find a picture of Sarah and I when we were young to put next to the one I took of her daughter Abby and Angelica. We enjoyed the get together, the yummy food and Alli even serenaded us with a Christmas Carol concert....as well as she could with three little girls trying to "help" her play! Looking forward to doing this again next year!!

Our Little Marching Band

...at least they are enjoying their new toys and I am "blessed" with fun music!