Cardinal Fans

My Dad has been a Cardinals fan for his entire life. I remember traveling to St. Louis with our family, in our motorhome, to see a game when I was 8. I'm sure my Dad was proud and happy when I found a nice boy from St. Louis (aka another Cardinals fan) to marry. :)

Here are a few pictures of Grandpa B and his latest recruit.

Grandma 'Wiggles'

We love our Grandma 'Wiggles'. Ok, that is actually not her last name. Her last name sounds very similar to 'wiggles' and when E was little she thought, brainwashed by the kids group 'The Wiggles', that this must be her name. So, to us, 'Grandma Wiggles' it is...and she has been kind enough to embrace this identity.

I have only known her for about 13 years now and she is one amazing woman. I'm sure that I can't properly describe all of her wonderful qualities but I shall try. Mother of 6, Grandmother of 11, Great Grandmother of 10...need I say more? Her calendar is full...from being a faithful volunteer to playing cards with friends to working in her large garden...she is busy, busy, busy.

She is a religious woman who is very Christ-like and kind-hearted. She does not judge others. She is happy with where she is and what she has. When asked by her children if she would like her kitchen remodeled she simply stated that she liked it the way it is.

She is also 'hip' and 'current'. She watches 'The Bachelor', 'American Idol' and another show she wouldn't want me to list here. :) I love the fact that I can chat with her about our favorite 'Idols'. She loves to watch the news and is one smart woman.

Grandma Wiggles has more energy than most people...she just keeps going and going and going...yes, I think some have called her 'The Energizer Bunny'. When she does decide that she needs a nap, she will set the timer for 30 minutes. Seriously, she can keep up with toddlers...and she did. She came here with Grandma and Grandpa H for 9 days to help out when W was born.

This past weekend A decided that she was going to sit with Great Grandma and have a little chat. I think this chat lasted close to a couple of hours and consisted of A telling her all about dinosaurs and monsters and other random things until around 10 pm. It was so sweet.

Imagine all the great things those who have known her longer would have to say...

Daddy's Little Girl(s)

It's hard to believe our first baby is already 7...even closer to 8. I think she is now saying 7 and 3 quarters. Anyway, the night before her First Communion, E and R went to the Daddy/Daughter dance at school...so sweet. Next year R will have 2 dates as K will be in Kindergarten. Then, in 3 years, he will be juggling 3 'little ladies' as that will be the year when all 3 girls will be at the same school- 5th grade, 2nd grade and Kindergarten. Can't you just see the picture now? Such a lucky guy to have 3 little adoring girls by his side...

A Frustrated Photographer & POPCORN

No, I'm not talking about myself and my desire for a Nikon D60 or 70 or 80....

E came home from school yesterday wanting to do photo shoots and was determined. After watching her for awhile and hearing some familiar lines she learned from our 'photographer friend' such as "chin up" and "sit like a princess", I decided to start videotaping. She seemed to have one difficult 'subject' and was getting frustrated. At one point, you can hear E say, "Mom, she's not cooperating." A then says, "I COP-erating!" Her second 'subject' was much more COP-erative. (Jenn...notice the pose she puts K in... along with the head tilted to the side.) :)

Here are 3 videos:

Now for the popcorn...

A asked me today when Barack Obama's birthday is...which I researched to find out is August 4th. Also, she informed me that Barack Obama has a popcorn machine and that it blows out popcorn. Hmm...where did she get this from? I did another Internet search and found the first 30 seconds of this video from March 30th:

http://au.truveo.com/Senator-christens-popcorn-machine/id/108086437606469714

Perhaps I watch too much MSNBC....or maybe it's just her imagination at work again. :)

First Communion

E made her First Communion this past Saturday. She has been preparing all year and was very excited although she did not like how the 'bread' tasted on the 'practice run'. She looked so cute and sweet. Not a fan of fancy dresses and such, she chose a very simple yet beautiful dress. She did not want a veil so we put together a cute little headband that went well with the dress and the cute purse from Grandma H.

It was a very special weekend...which was complete with all of our family visitors....as well as the help from those visitors. Thanks to Grandma and Grandpa H for preparing our wonderful lunch and to the other Grandmas for some sweet treats. Thanks to our hair stylist Aunt Cathy. Thanks to everyone for your help and thoughtful gifts for E.

Here she is waiting in line to enter the church.

Here is a video of E walking into the church.

Here are some pictures taken after mass in the courtyard. It was cloudy, cool and a bit rainy so the pictures are a bit dark...even after some editing.

With Grandma and Grandpa H...

With Grandma and Grandpa B...

With Aunt Cathy and Uncle Jay...her Godparents...

With Great Grandma 'Wiggles'...

With cousin Zachary...

With Mommy....."Daddy, where are you?"

There he is!

Father Bill blessing E's rosary from Grandma and Grandpa B.

Party time! E with her lamb cake. R's family has a tradition of First Communion lamb cakes so I did my best to create one...complete with Aunt Mayme's cut-out cookies spelling out her name in the front.

Thanks to my friend Jenn for the following beautiful pictures taken in our backyard during the party. We will cherish them and this beautiful day forever. (Notice how she didn't have any problems getting great pics on the cloudy, cool and rainy day.)

Cute Jewelry!

Visit Hip Mom Jewelry at this address, www.swedeatheart.com , to see some very cute jewelry.

Also, visit www.takeabowcreations.blogspot.com to enter a contest to win a necklace, like the one pictured here, from Hip Mom Jewelry.

Little Models

Well, I didn't plan for my girls to be little models...it just happened. My good friend Jenn, http://www.jcooperphotography.com , was working on some photography for a designer who was launching a business and invited my girls to take part in the photo shoot.

Please visit Kandy Kisses Boutique to see some very cute clothes and some very sweet models.

http://kandykissesboutique.com/boutique/

Click on the MAGGIE Spring 09 collection. Then, double-click on the category pictures to see even more...

The Bunny Trail

This is a quick one...I'm in 'check things off my list' mode...trying to get ready for E's First Communion this weekend. Just made my Aunt Mayme's famous butter-cut-out cookies for the first time. In fact, I don't think anyone has made them since she went to heaven a few years ago....and they actually taste like they did when she made them! I even used her famous Baby Jesus and LOVE cookie cutters!

Anyway, we went to St. Louis for the weekend. We visited the Easter Bunny on Saturday. Sunday we were with R's family and had a fun Easter egg hunt. Just wanted to share some pics.

Sweet Sounds

Just a quick video to share...I think baby giggles are my favorite sound in the world!

Our Little Buddy Is 7 Months Old!

Seven months old...I don't have much to say today. I'm counting my blessings. Just look at these pictures and you will know how very lucky we are to have this wonderful, sweet, happy little boy in our family. He's too wonderful for any words I can put together and we love him so very much.

Making A Splash

E and K are becoming quite the swimmers. They both take lessons on Saturday mornings with a couple of their best friends....which makes the whole morning so much fun for them. E is in a stroke class working on perfecting all of those strokes that her mom doesn't even know how to do. K is in a Level 3 class and has passed the big 'deep end' test many times now.

Here is K being instructed before her swim across the deep end.
A little bit of diving instruction...

Here is a pic of E getting some stroke instruction.
More diving instruction...

And, because a post wouldn't seem complete anymore without it, here is a video of A looking for Barack Obama. A and E had the family room all set up and were playing some sort of mail delivery game. Of course, A wanted to deliver mail to her buddy. I heard much talk about Obama from the other room and quickly found my camera to capture some action.

Remembering Jack Robert Donatelli

Please remember the Donatelli family in your thoughts and prayers as they have just lost their beautiful 8-month-old son Jack. In extremely difficult times like this, times that most of us can't even imagine what would be like, I feel that all thoughts and prayers can help those suffering.

Silly Stuff

A is cracking me up with her continued love for Mr. President. The other day she was working hard on a picture....coming to me asking me for paper, crayons, tape, etc. I did not know what her intentions were. A little while later, she came up to me and said in a very proud voice, "Mama, my picture is ready for the White House ! You need to put it in Barack Obama's mailbox!" So, I've been told that I must mail this picture to the White House. I must also find a look-alike to come to her birthday party...her little heart will be broken if her 'friend' Barack Obama is not in attendance. This morning I heard many more phone conversations between her and the president but was not quick enough with the video.

And, speaking of silly stuff...