This weekend has been memorial to say the least. Now settling in to our new home, we've been blessed this weekend to be finding wonderful new friends by land and by sea (or at least lake). Add to a BBQ and time out on the lake, a great church service, some Firehouse subs and painting the foyer today, oh yeah, AND a date night... it's definitely been a holiday weekend!
So, I know it's been awhile. We've been busy moving and unpacking and just with life. As usual, when it's been some time since I've blogged, I have a hard time picking what to blog about. There was Easter, a wonderful trip to KC for my Mom's 60th Birthday, and moving to our wonderful new home. But, because I don't want another day to pass without a post and because those subjects contain dozens of pictures to sort through, I'm picking a video I took tonight of Ebee.
Here she is already over five months old! She's always drooling and now she's started a hilarious little mouth ditty.
And here's a few more pics from the last couple of months....
Meeting G. Grandma Thilking:
... and my Aunt Tavianna!
and my Cousin Liv (whose just one month older than me!)
She's my sweetie!
Well, the birthday month is upon us!
Mine came first (smile), and it was great. Mom took me out for a yummy breakfast and the purchase of a Maya wrap to hold my sweet baby Ebee in during those busy school hours. It was so lovely to do a little shopping in the adorable downtown Northville, even on a blustery March morning.
When we got home, Scott and the kids greated me with lots of balloons and a cake (the huge gift here being that Scott went out with 4 out of 5 by himself to Meijer to get it done!). In the evening, Mom stayed with the kids so Scott could take me out for a cozy dinner at The Claddagh pub and afterwards to pick out my gift - and it was a biggie this year... my very own DSLR camera. WOW!
SAMUEL
Today's birthday celebration was all Samuel. His 8th birthday isn't until March 18th, but we'll be out of town then. So today we took the big guy to see Star Wars in 3D with just Mom and Dad, followed by McDonalds - his choice, and then gifts and cake at home. It was SO strange to be out with just our eldest child. I honestly think it's the first time since Lucian was born that just the three of us were out together. Kinda cool.
(blow-up light saber war amongst my mini jedi's and the master)
Later this month, I'll be posting an even bigger birthday event.... but until then, here is one of my favorite pics from my first photo shoot with Ebee.
peek-a-boo!
While my bunch of kids and sleepy husband watch Mickey Mouse Clubhouse this Saturday morning, I've decided to take a second and publically announce that I am thankful!
Thankful for my kids, husband, mom, mom in law, sister, brother in laws, sister in law, friends, nephews, cousins, neices, aunts, uncles, people who like me, people who don't. People, people, people. We are all thrown on this earth and sometime we love to love one another and sometimes otherwise. But, I'm thankful this morning that I'm not isolated; that humanity is all around me and cries out for my attention to be involved, to have relationship, to stretch my own humanity and become fuller as a giver and recipent.
Take in the imperfections and gaze upon the beauty of people you encounter both personally and from a distance. God so loved.....
One reason I love the name Elizabeth is because of the options. It's open to so many variations... whatever personality is waiting to unfold in the life of this beautiful girl. There were several I considered using before her birth: Betsy, Liz, Lizzy, Beth, etc. Right now, she seems to us all here in the house, our Ebee. I have never even heard of that one before! Which seems perfect, because after all she is unique and very special to me. Here are a few more pictures of my Ebee that I've taken recently.
Ebee has interesting eyes - a kind of dark slate blue, but so bright!
She's growing and changing so quickly. I'll try to post more soon!
This year was a big one for Lucian. Two weeks after baby sister was born, he got the party of his life (so far). We don't usually do big parties like this one, except for first and fifth b'day years. However, last year he only had a few friends to invite and this year he had a whole gang... something worth a big celebration, especially for my mister shy guy. Where to celebrate? Where a kid can be a kid, of course!
Chuck E Cheese's certainly knows what they're doing with kids and parties, and the best part was the ticket blaster. Lucian decided it would be more fun (and profitable) with his big brother joining him.
Last weekend we trimmed the tree... Grami's no-hassle tree that is! I'm usually a die hard REAL tree person, but you know, ten days after having a baby a woman is less picky about such things. And I have to admit, it's beautiful!
(Elizabeth's First Christmas Ornament)
After decorating, we had our annual treasure hunt (usually done on Thanksgiving) for the kids to find their Christmas clothes.
(figuring out the clues)
(finding the treasure!)
For the boys: coordinating sweaters and pretty dresses for the girls! Here's a preview of our coming Christmas Eve photo -
And of course no tree trimming would be complete without the star of Bethlehem at the top. This year, it was Allegra's turn.
Merry Christmas!
P.S. Mom played photographer... hence no pictures of her. I should have taken some! It is so great to have Grami around for the Christmas season this year.
