A Godchild's First Holy Communion

After attending the family wedding in Hays, we came back in time for the First Holy Communion of Dimitri, Dan's godson.  A First Holy Communion is always special, and this was no exception.  In the evening, we went over to the Fernando house to celebrate.

Dan and his godson, Dimitri.

Kids played.

Go, Joseph!

Bubble machine!

The girls.

Pizza time!

Dimitri sang his First Holy Communion song for all of us.

Our kids watched from the stairs, while Chiara joined in.

All the kids checked out Dimitri's beautiful cake.  Don't worry, Anthony did not poke any fingers in!

Morning in Victoria

On the morning after the wedding of Dan's niece, we were able to relax for a while.  We had to leave late morning to get back for a First Holy Communion Mass, but before that, Dan took Anthony and Dominic out to the Sand Plum Nature Trail. 

Here comes Anthony.

He's doing the Log Carry!

That should burn off some energy.

Dominic's turn.

Hmm, I could put these skills to use at our house!

Off the trail tree-climbing.

A stop to look at some baby bunnies.

A beautiful morning.  In the back you can see the twin towers of St. Fidelis Basilica.

When the boys got back, we all wished Grandma a happy birthday!

Can't go wrong with a box of chocolate!

A stop at the cemetery for a prayer at Grandpa's grave.

Anthony was wiped out for the ride home!

Wedding in Hays

On the first weekend in May, we travelled to Victoria so that we could attend the wedding of Dan's niece in Hays.

Anthony in his big-boy booster seat was ready to go!

Waiting for the wedding to start.

Father of the bride ready to relinquish his daughter.

Dan with his nephew, Balthaser.

Cousins, waiting to blow bubbles at the bride and groom.

Ornery guy

The groom and bride.

Kids played near the church.

Blowing off steam.

Catherine, Isabella, Anne, and Olivia.

Girls watched cake cutting.

Aloysius must have been saying something good!

Anne and Grandma.

Balthaser was the leader of the chain!

A Visit From Grandparents

My parents came when the kids had their spring concert at the end of April.  The kids were excited to have Grandma and Grandpa watch their performance and then stay two nights!

Grandma came out to see the chickens.

I took a pic of Catherine through a window.  Can you guess where she is?

Inside the chicken coop!

Grandma and the kids.  And the cat.

Hard to get all the kids to look at once.

Anne with doll.  Dominic with chicken.

And Anthony kissing the chicken!

Playing with kittens.

Grandpa helped boys look up a snake.

My favorite picture!

Spring Concert

These pictures are from our Homeschool Choir Concert at the end of April.  My friend, Natasha, was in charge of everything overall, but while she ran practices for the older kids, I did the same for the younger kids. 

Getting ready to warm up before the concert.

Natasha gave some last minute instructions to the kids.

All the children sang "Bring Flowers of the Rarest."

Anthony momentarily wandered off, but he came back.

Then I directed the little kids in their performance.  Anthony is on the far left and Joseph is next to him.

One of the songs was "On The Good Ship, Lollipop." 

They loved using their props, wonderfully made by my sister-in-law, Brenda.  (Thanks, Brenda!)

I was proud of the kids, especially Anthony.  This was his first time to stand up and sing with the choir!

Then we got to relax and watch the big kids, who did a great job.

Catherine, Anne, and Dominic were almost half of the choir!

Joseph took a picture of his buddy, Dothan.  Their family has since moved to South Carolina.  :(