Easter Weekend

Saturday we headed to our first Phillies game of the season. It was the last pre-season/ spring training game. It was a windy day but the sun was bright enough to keep us from freezing.

Our seats were right next to the bullpen.

The Phillies won the game, and Rudy managed to pay attention to most of it, so it was a successful outing. On the way out we stopped for some pictures by one of the statues from the Vet.

The only picture I took on Easter is of the kids after dinner. they all sat and read books while we finished eating. (Note: this was a parental suggestion, but they all embraced it without complaint- Rudy did not embrace the picture taking as evidenced by his hiding behind his book.)

Monday was our lats day off and the best day in a while, so Rudy and I headed out with Donna and the boys to Birch Grove.

I don't know why these pictures uploaded sideways, and I don't have the patience to redo them, so turn your screen sideways and enjoy. :)

The last task of the walk. Jared had been searching for a log to cross over. He was the first one over this. All the other boys tried, so gave up, but then tried again and eventually they all crossed it.

Birthdays

This past week has been the week of birthdays. Rudy's was Nov. 27, Jada's Dec. 1 and Niko's Dec. 4. So each birthday needed a dessert, and a snack to bring to school. I slacked and didn't get any pictures of their individual birthday celebrations but each kid requested a store bought treat for their birthday. Rudy wanted a big chocolate chip cookie, Jada wanted a Frozen cake ("just like Paige's"), and Niko floundered on what he wanted but he wanted a  store bought cake, so I choose a Mario Bros cake for him.

After getting through each individual birthday, today we had a celebration with family and close friends. I got a few pictures of them opening presents.

And then blowing out their candles. Paul and I decided on an ice cream cake for them all to share and no one complained. So we put a number candle for each on it and the blew them out together.

Well, it took Jada a little longer than the boys to blow hers out.

All were happy and now we can finally move on from the birthdays!

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day

Christmas Eve we headed to the Children's service as usual. A few pictures were taken before church. (Note: Rudy picked out his outfit at the store, and when I asked what he thought N should wear, he said they should match, so he picked out the same outfit.)

And of course, you always need a silly picture.

At church our friends, Will, Jared, and Nathan (Along with the choir director, Bryan) played before the service.

N happily joined all the kids (especially the pre-teen girls) for the children's sermon.

The new choir robes came in just days before Christmas, so this was their official unveiling.

After church, we got together at Donna's with some other families. Total for the night: 10 children (1 girl, 9 boys) and 4 adults.

Rudy and his buddy Joe (it took me a while to get this picture to take because it was dark, so we finally went with whatever turned out).

Serious discussions were had.

Donna and her boys always have the Feast of the Seven Fishes on Christmas Eve, so we got to enjoy that. This was taken and within 5 minutes the kids had all scattered again and the adults could enjoy the (relative) peace of the kitchen.

Christmas morning... looking at stockings.

 

Enjoying a new wii game.

And since I took a picture of Rudy, N needed one taken, too.

Around 11am, Paul's family and my dad came over for brunch. So more presents were opened.

N had been gradually getting sick starting Christmas Eve, by the time he woke from his nap Christmas, he was miserable. At least he made it through all the fun activities. Our usual Christmas Eve tradition is going out for Chinese food. With N not feeling well, we did carry out instead.