Kate's Baptism and Double Confirmation

Kate was baptised at St. Nicholas Byzantine Catholic Church and in keeping with their tradition, she was confirmed at the same time, as was I as a newborn. Blaise was also given the sacrament, so he shared in her day as well.

My cousin and her family

My Godmother and Grandmother:

Poor Kate (and Auntie Michelle K) didn't take her morning nap and was pretty unhappy at 10am.

She got dipped three times.

Sleeping baby

Great Aunt Marge looking on at the newest generation

My girlfriend Abbi and her beautiful daughter

Kate's Godmother, Auntie Michelle K

Michelle has been a friend of mine since our Our Lady of Grace days when we would walk to school together. We moved on to high school together and then on to college. We have been through many significant moments together, but it was always the everyday, I know she is there moments, that meant so much. Michelle has grown into a strong and independent women - qualities which I hope Kate emulates. I also hope for her that she has such wonderful girlfriends throughout her lifetime, to share those everyday moments with.

Too Hot For Comfort

One afternoon it got so hot that we put some water in the sandbox and loaded up these two monkeys.

Needless to say, they loved it!

Some Friends Are Silver, But These Are Gold

My IU girlfriends and I get together somewhat annually with our families. We met up at Pokagon State Park which offers a lot of actitivies for the kiddos. This year we hung out at the beach and had a yummy picnic. Each time we get together we add new little ones, like these three here.

Aren't they cute?

Eleanor got some sand in her hair...

Blaise had a great time at the playground,

with beautiful Carolyn,

and digging at the beach with beautiful Eleanor.  

Blaise somehow convinced the girls to fetch him water to fill into his hole. He must be a sweet-talker (which is ironic, since he doesn't say that many words!) :)

I unfortunately didn't get any other pictures, but there was fun to be had by all 11 kids!

Adults had fun after the kiddos went to sleep with some cold beverages and old stories. I love seeing you all, I just wish it could be more often!

Brown County

We spent four days in Brown County State Park over Memorial Day weekend. I found we didn't take so many pictures while we were there, so I stole some from Trip Advisor. We stayed at one of their family cabins which we found to be a good compromise between hotel and camping. Blaise enjoyed the water park, riding ponies, having a campfire (in 90 degree heat!) and we coerced him into taking a trail. Blaise was excited about the possibility of seeing a "ratoon," but the only ones we saw were after he went to bed one night (luckily he saw some about a week later). For me it was a great experience taking my kids back to a place where I spent so much happy time as a child.


This photo of Abe Martin Lodge is courtesy of TripAdvisor


This photo of Abe Martin Lodge is courtesy of TripAdvisor

We got Pigbeared!

About two years ago when Blaise was six months old Jan convinced me (after some time) that we needed a DSLR camera. It turns out Jan wasn't just blowing smoke. I have to say, I am really glad I finally listened to him!

Once we got our new DSLR I went about trying to learn how to use it. I'm not where I hoped to be two years later, but that isn't the point of this post. I found a few websites that I inhaled, one of which I am still a faithful reader of: The Pigbear. My new found internet photography guru is a Kindergarden teacher turned stay-at-home turned (amazing) professional photographer. Browse her photography blog for examples of her work.

When I heard she was going to be in Louisville the same weekend we were heading to Brown County (a mere two hours away) I knew I had to get my kids in front of her camera! I live in Germany and she is based out of Huntsville, AL - I might never get this close to her again!

Jan made fun of me as we pulled up because I was noticeably nervous. I hoped that after all our efforts my two year old would cooperate.  I shouldn't have worried - that is why Erin is so great, she literally had him at hello. They were fast friends!

Here are some of the beautiful pictures that we got from Erin that day, I can't wait for them to be hanging on my wall!

See what I mean? Thanks so much, Erin! It was great meeting you and getting "Pigbeared"! :)