Sunday, April 27, 2008

Ava Too!

Ava was another victim of a visit to Grandma Gifford's. Just like Josie over on her blog.
Grandma brought home some of the FAKE Boo Boo tattoos that they give out at dentist office where she works and when Josie and Ava came over to play, she tried to trick us by giving the girls these very real looking tattoos. I think that Ava and Josie should become actresses because they were both able to produce some very real looking sad faces.

Thursday, April 24, 2008

Lighthouse

We love the Light House. When I was younger I remember my mother bringing us to sit by this lighthouse. She loved it and so did we. We got to play by the water and she got to relax and daydream while listening to the waves hit the shore. We live a few minutes away so now I find myself doing the same occasionally. The lighthouse marks where St. Lawrence River and Lake Ontario meet.
The water on the lake was calm this day.

Sunday, April 20, 2008

Fun Outside!

Brendan sure loves the sandbox. He's a typical BOY!
I was very impressed. He only tried eating the sand once.


"This is the life!"

Friday, April 11, 2008

Paul's 33!!

Here is Paul in the Birthday crown Ava made for him.

Happy Birthday to a great father and husband.

April Showers Bring May Flowers


Thursday, April 10, 2008

Brendan's Stop.

We stopped at Cedar Point State Park yesterday because on the way home from grocery shopping Brendan was letting us know very loudly that he needed to be fed and changed and it was the first place I was able to pull over. Ava was sure happy we stopped.
We saw many Canadian Geese. They were honking at us the whole time so we didn't get to close. We didn't want to get "goosed".
Ava was talking about going home and getting our bathing suits. It did get to almost 70 degrees, but we'll have to wait.
She did have fun playing in the log cabin which she calls the "bear house". Last year when thought that it was "Little Bears" house from the tv show. Here she is up in the loft of the play cabin.
After Brendan was fed and changed he did some more swinging which I think is his new favorite activity. I think that he secretly planned this stop.

Tuesday, April 8, 2008

Spring is finally here!

We spent a lot of time outdoors yesterday because it was so nice. It was great to get outside after being cooped up all winter. Brendan just loved it. He's beginning to understand that there is a lot more to this world than our house. Here are Brendan and Ava rocking in the bench swing.
Brendan loves his baby swing. But all of that swinging was making him sleepy so I put him in the stoller and we went for a walk.
Ava heard the kids playing across the street at "LaLa's" house. Sally is her real name but all of the kids refer to her as LaLa. She is a daycare provider and many of the neighborhood kids go thier during the day. Ava has been going to LaLa's since she was one year old. She is more like a second family to the kids and the parents. Ava stayed and played with the kids for awhile and Brendan and I continued on our walk.
We coudn't leave until LaLa said Hello to Brendan.
We didn't get very far before Brendan fell asleep. I hope these nice days stick around.

Sunday, April 6, 2008

Brendan's Baptism

Yesterday was Brendan's Baptism. Brendan did very well!

Jessie and Matt are Brendan's lovely Godparents.

After the ceremony everybody headed over to our house for cake.
Georgia and Josie made this Baptism mobile for the occasion. Grandma Gifford taped it up on the wall.
Georgia also made this very nice banner. Josie made one as well. Thank you girls for making Brendan's day even more special!
Of course the kids got in some playtime.
It looks like the girls have Russell trapped!
Here is Elsie enjoying her dinner.
Here is Ava toasting her brother on this special day.
Russell brought his famous rubberband ball. It looks bigger than last time!
Here is a happy bunch. Emmy sure loves her Grandma. If you look closely you can see that Rick found a useful purpose for Russell's Rubberband ball. A foot stool!
At the end of the day, I let Brendan hold and look at his very "boyish colored" Rosary that the Barton's made for him. I had to take it away before he tried to eat it, but I will put in away in a safe place until he is old enough to use it. Thank you guys and Mom and Rick, thank you for the card and gift!
Jessie and Matt gave Brendan some wonderful bible story books and Jessie made this framed prayer above. It says..

A Baptisimal Prayer for
Brendan James
Lord Surround this child with goodness, Lead him in Your light each day;
Help him walk the path You've chosen, guide his steps along the way..
Teach him, Lord, to trust Your wisdom with a faith forever new;
Keep him from all harm, and bless him with Your grace and gladness, too.

Thank you. It will be cherished!