October was a busy month!

Wow! We started off October with a weekend of birthday parties, both at a pumpkin patch. Gabby's was on Saturday and it was 80 plus degrees. Colin and Sean seemed to enjoy it but Paulie was not as thrilled so Lynn and Rich went to Kleio's on Sunday with Colin and Pa and I watched Paulie. He is such a great baby. Good thing for Lynn and Rich because when you have all three together it is exhausting, but we love it.

The following weekend was the first birthday for Kamryn, (hard to believe!) and Pa and I took Colin because Paulie was sick. Colin had a great time and everyone kept telling us how beautiful his hair and eyes are.

The weekend of the 20th we had Paulie and Colin for a sleepover visit and we had a great time. They slept the whole night and it was fun having them here for breakfast. Colin and I baked, he loves cooking like his dad. We went for walks and played outside. It was great.

The last weekend Of October we watched the boys on Saturday and kept Colin overnight to give Lynn and Rich a break while preparing for Paulie's Christening party on Sunday. The priest had a great personality so it turned out very well and Paulie looked adorable in his little suit. We had good food and a great time at Lynn and Rich's. Rich was thrilled that his grandmom came to his home for the first time. We were a little worried about the steps but she made out great. She was a hit with the young people as always.

We ended the month with Halloween and they were so cute in their costumes. Colin was a perfect Dennis the Menace. Sean cracked me up with the Policeman's hat. They are a trip!

Colin went from saying few words to talking in sentences in about 4-6 weeks. He repeats everything and I do mean EVERYTHING! It is amazing to watch them grow. Hard to believe in September 2008 Sean will be in kindergarten already.

As we get older and life doesn't seem to be getting any easier we have to realize that as long as we have been blessed with beautiful children including our daughter-in-law and beautiful grandsons, life is great!

My father would be happy to know that the tradition goes on. He always said "there isn't a bad looking one in the bunch, dear." Of course he was just a little prejudiced! You would have to know my father to know that when he said that he was filled with pride when it came to his kids and grandkids. He never tired of having his grandchildren underfoot. I know now how he felt. His legacy continues to grow as Little Dan and Mollie are expecting in May. We are all very excited for them!

Paul's Baptism

September Days

Summer's End

Colin turns two!

Summer is flying by!

The summer is flying by. As with all summers it just seems too short. I am not a heat person but summer is still a time of lazy afternoons and enjoying the outdoors. I love having it stay light so late because I don't get out of work until 5:30 and there is still time to get outside and enjoy a little time to work in the yard, walk the dog, visit the kids or just sit and enjoy being outside.

This week is Colin's second birthday and he is talking more everyday. He is a trip! Sean is getting ready for school and soccer, I can't wait for soccer, I miss watching my boys play. Now it is time for a new generation to start, where did the time go? Paul is already getting excited when he sees a ball and can't wait to start following his brothers around, it won't be long. They grow up so fast.

Since my last post.......

Kevin was notified on his 21st birthday, June 27th, that he was accepted into the apprenticeship for the electical union and will be doing telecommunications. He was notified yesterday that he starts working for the union at McGraw Hill on Monday, August 13th. His classes start in September. He is thrilled and we are very proud of the man he is becoming.

Kim and Gary got married and we enjoyed a day at the Marina and got to spend some time with Kenny and Dina's daughter Jasmine who loves throwing stones in the bay with her Uncle Rich. Surprise huh! Maddy still wants to go to the creek with Uncle Richie when she visits and now Colin and Sean love going there too. Kids seem to be drawn to him, he is a kid magnet even at KinderCare where he works. He always has a story about the kids following him around or calling him Mr. Rich.

Big Rich, aka Mr. Rich,Uncle Reechie, Herbert, Dad, Pa, PopPop turned 55 on Saturday, July 14th and had to go to Nashville Tennesse for training on Monday the 16th. He stayed at Grandville Opryland and was amazed by the complex they stayed in. It was huge!! He hates being away from home though and it was weird for me to have him gone. The 31st of this month we will be married 36 years and have only been apart maybe 2 or 3 times for more than a day. Neither of us got much sleep while he was gone.

Little Rich, although he is taller than his dad, started work at Colonial Cadillac on August 6th.
The people there are really nice and he is much more comfortable and feels more confident in an area he has lots of contacts and familiarity. We are sure he will be successful there. There is another benefit as well, we get to see him more often.

Luke is huge and we think could be part pony. He is so crazy and steals everthing from socks to mail and runs in his crate with it. It is funny but can also get on your nerves after the fourth or fifth time you have to crawl in the crate to retrieve something. We were leaving him in the kitchen with a gate up for two weeks and he was doing great until Rich went to Tennessee and Luke started getting on counters and the desk and chewing up things. He chewed a whole pack of new photo paper. It looked like it had snowed in my kitchen. I was not happy. It is not cheap.

Sunday the 12th we are having some family over for cake for Colin. I will post some new pictures after.

Sean's last game of the Season!