Visit with Grandma Laser

We gave Gigi and Papa a break one afternoon and took the family down to see Grandma Laser. Vicki, Gillian and Iris came down as well and we had a nice visit over lunch and then gave Grandma her Christmas presents. Laser LOVED getting the chance to visit and hold all the kids. As Grandma is also a huge news junkie, she greatly appreciated the subscription to the Economist she got from the Manning family as well as the food chopper, chocolates, flowers and pictures.

Lourdes is showing Grandma Laser how big she is.

Sabine and Grandma relaxing after lunch.

Iris helped Laser open presents.

And Finn gave Grandma a BIG goodbye hug.

Week at Papa and Gigi's House

We spent the week between the girls' baptism and Christmas at Papa and Gigi's house. Finn had a BLAST! He bounced on the horse that his dad used to ride. He rocked out on Dad's guitar and Aunt Jen's banjo. Went sledding with Dad, Papa and Aunt Jen. Baked and decorated cookies with Gigi, Great Aunt Laurie, and his cousin Jillian. And had a play date with his friend Lukas. Since Finn was thoroughly entertained, the girls and I took the opportunity to rest and relax. It was such a great lead up to all the Christmas festivities.

Lourdes and Sabine's Baptism

The Sunday before Christmas, Father Jim Colopy officiated another beautiful baptism for our family at Monna and Jim's house. He always includes all the kids that are in attendance and that, along with his amazingly warm personality, makes the ceremony so special. Aunts Monna and Michelle stood up for Lourdes and Aunts Vicki and Jen stood up for Sabine. The girls looked lovely and never cried. It was a wonderful day for all of us.

Michelle and Finnegan helped Lourdes get dressed for her big day.

Mommy, Evan and Grandma all took turns holding Sabine.

Fr. Jim was kind and didn't get Beanie too wet.

Lourdes slept through most of the ceremony, but finally woke up for her big moment.

Finn and his cousins got prime viewing seats on the stairs directly behind us.

Welcome to the Church girls!

Lou Lou is trouble, so you have your work cut out for you Michelle and Monna!

Bean is already practicing her innocent act on Vicki and Jen.

Finny's Visit with Santa

I thought it would be a nice Mommy and Finny outing to visit Santa before we went to Ohio for the holidays. I did a bit of research online as to where Santa might be holding hours and the consensus seemed to be that the Santa at the 900 N. Michigan Ave. stores was the best. So the Thursday before we left, we drove downtown and paid Santa a visit. I've never been to the 900 N. Michigan stores and when I walked in and saw the enormous tree that was richly decorated along with the list of store names, I realized the reason I had never been there was because I couldn't afford anything there. But whatever, we were just there to visit Santa. When we got to the third floor where Santa was, I wondered why all these kids were dressed in their Christmas best. Then I realized this was a fancy Santa and all the kids were dressed up to get their pictures taken with him. As you can see below, Joe had dressed Finn in about his grubbiest play clothes that day. I was a bit embarrassed, but decided who cares we were getting this picture taken. I wondered if Finn would be scared of the Big Man, but instead he jumped right up on his lap and said "I want a boat." This Santa was very chatty and so he started asking Finn what type of boat he wanted and what color. As said boat was already purchased, I gently told Santa not to ask for details that couldn't be produced. Santa quickly moved on to giving Finn a sweet little doggy that Finn named Grover and when Finny mentioned his baby sisters, Santa produced two more doggies for them as well. All in all the trip was a success. Next year though I'll remember to dress the kids a bit nicer.

Lourdes and Sabine are Three Months Old!

The cute outfits the twins are modeling are gifts from Aunt Kristin. Thanks girl!

Big bro getting in on the picture taking action. And yes that is a lint brush in his hand. He was pretending it was both a guitar and a baseball bat.

Sabine is shocked at how big she is getting!

Birth Announcement/Holiday Card Photos

We had Michele Kasuboske, who we've used since Finn was born, come over the end of October to take some pictures for the tweenies birth announcement and our holiday card. I couldn't be happier with the pictures of my cuties!