Catherine's Birthday Pictures

Took this the day before her birthday.  She loves to read.

Silly sisters!

The kids on the morning of Catherine's birthday.

Always one goofy kid!

Catherine got to open one present after breakfast.

Daddy took the day off work, and when asked where she wanted to go for her birthday, Catherine picked Chuck E. Cheese.  So we went there for lunch.

Shooting baskets.

Anthony driving sounds like a nightmare.

Boys play air hockey.

Anthony on a horse sounds slightly better.

Break for pizza.

More fun.

In the afternoon, we decorated Catherine's birthday cupcakes.  She made it easy on me this year!

She helped frost the cupcakes.

Catherine and her #10 cupcakes!

After dinner, it was time for cake!

And crazy sister time!

And more presents.

A password journal.  It will only open to her voice, which drives the boys crazy.

Catherine had a great #10 birthday!

Miscellaneous November

In early November, Dan started building a greenhouse between the big shed and the garden.

The boys watched Daddy dig the holes.

These posts used to be crossbars on telephone poles!

The kids practiced archery.

Dominic can shoot those arrows a long way!

Joseph agrees.

Also in early November, I took my oldest three and two of their cousins to the Young People's Concert at Century II.  We first listened to Vivaldi, then Peter and The Wolf, the story of which was acted out by a small dance troupe while the orchestra played.  The kids really liked it.  I did too!

They enjoyed the concert.

Dominic, Anne, Isabella, Catherine, and Seth.

One day I snapped a couple of pictures of Anne reading to Anthony:

I love it when the older kids read to the younger ones.

He had to get a closer look at the pictures.

Joseph with a cornucopia creation.

One day when it was really cold outside, we had painting time.

Art, art, art!

Visiting In November

In the middle of November, we travelled to visit my parents.  It was a nice weekend away, and we also got to see my brother, Eric, and his family as well as my sister, Beth, and her family.

Catherine got an early birthday present.

Joseph was excited to be there.

Outside time!

Checking out the little kid shack out by the barn.

Three boys!

The great swinging tree got put to use!

My brother and his family came over on Saturday, but I neglected to take any pictures while they were there.  We enjoyed their visit. On Sunday, after Mass, my sister and her family came over.

Aunt Beth plays Skipbo with the girls.  Anthony was watching, not playing.

Clara and Anthony went exploring together.

When you are three, playing in the dirt is a great time!

Looking for treasure.

"This way, Clara!"

Examining their "treasure."

Of Friends, Kayaking, and Hay Bales

One Saturday in November, our good friends came for a visit.  It was a beautiful day, so much of the afternoon was spent outside.

Catherine and Chiara in the kayak.

Having a good time on the pond.

Anne and Michaela.

The other kids have fun while waiting.

Joseph and Mr. Grumpy Face.

Okay, much better.

Beautiful fall colors.

Dominic and Dimitri.

Friends since they were babies!

No one wanted to stop kayaking...

...until it was time for the wild wagon ride!

Whee!

Off to play on the giant hay bales.

Daring boys.

Girls were more cautious.

All smiles!

Anne got brave at the end!