A Picture for Today: Pretty Pretty Princess!

A quick WARNO for today: one of these pictures (I won't disclose witch one) may need to be removed from the blog in the distant future for the safe passage of one of our children through middle school. So, enjoy it while you can!

One night after our evening movie at the cousin's house, the kids broke out a board game, of sorts - Pretty Pretty Princess! It was a hit with everyone! 

David had been in deep withdrawal, being in a house without an extensive costume box, so he jumped into the game without a moment of hesitation. He thought he looked like a Prince - I had to give him a little lesson on men's (usual) lack of dangly earrings. 

Our sweet little Princess T very much enjoyed getting all bejeweled as well!

Love, Us.

Some More Pictures for Today: Thérèse and Luke

As you all know, Thérèse LOVES babies - real ones and dolls. 

Well, she had a baby fix at the ready for an entire week at the Lanoue's! Luke made T a happy girl!

Love, Us.

A Picture for Today: Slumber Party with Family

I'll make a quick note first today - I didn't take many pictures on our trip due to family always being around who were also taking pictures. So, for now, you'll just be able to enjoy the moments when I had my camera out. 

For today, my first captured moment was a pajama slumber party at our home base, the Lanoue house. Everyone gathered for a great dinner and then we snuggled up with blankets, pillows, and popcorn wherever we could find a spot of empty couch or ground and enjoyed Dr. Dolittle (the old, great one!). 

David ended up with his favorite snuggle/sleep buddy.

Love, Us.

Some Pictures for Today: Our Trip to the North

Our vacation up north started very well. The two flights that got us there were very nearly on time, our layover was perfectly short, the flights were timed perfectly for naps, and our luggage didn't bog us down. 

Thérèse had been so excited to see her cousins and get to Minnesota that she had been sick to her stomach and without sleep for 36 hours by the time we got on the first plane (check out her huge circles around her eyes). But, our "fancy" first plane with built-in monitors for each seat helped the kids relax and "rest" to a movie in no time. 

And the second (longer) flight was barely off the ground before both the big kids crashed for a great nap.

Meanwhile, Patrick, with a very pleasant demeanor, decided to take some tours of the surrounding  seating, much to the joy of our fellow passengers. He was a super happy traveler the entire way - what a blessing! 

So, the worst part of our trip was simply the anxiety that I was carrying within me about the POSSIBILITY of something going wrong with the kids. Other than that - we fully enjoyed our trip and were excited to see family!

Love, Us.

A Picture for Today: Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

We survived (and thoroughly enjoyed) our trip up north and have safely arrived home for Christmas. We had a wonderful, relaxing, joyful day yesterday and hope to do the same for the next 11 days! Poor dad needs to work, but we'll try our best to make home a place of peace and joy for him whenever we get to have him here. 

I plan to fill in pictures and stories from our trip a couple of times a day until we are caught up, but for now - my favorite picture from the trip. Enjoy!

Love, Us.

For Today: A Visit from Saint Nicholas

We are putting the finishing touches on our packing around here - the kids and I are leaving for MN (and Joe is simultaneously leaving for the field) before the sun comes up tomorrow! Yikes and Yay!

But, I'll take a quick moment now to show you a bit of fun we had last Friday with one of our home school groups. We had a party for the Feast of Saint Nicholas, and the big guy himself actually came to give us a few lessons on who he is! It was a blast!

Note the general lack of shoes among the ranks. St. Nick had borrowed them and filled them with goodies!

And, here is a quick video of part of his presentation for the kids. He did a great job!

Love, Us.

Some Pictures for Today: Patrick's Surgery

Last Wednesday Patrick was circumcised. He is doing pretty well, but still is pretty sore, and so has had some thorough practice screaming for long stretches of time. I am just praying that he doesn't find the airport or the plane an acceptable place to practice on Thursday!

For today, a quick photo story of his surgery day:

When we arrived we were informed that the surgeons were having a late-start day. However, they failed to inform the pre-op early enough to let the patients know. So, we had an EXTRA long time to roam the halls before our turn.

It all went well, and due to it being his normal nap time, he easily stayed knocked out for a good hour after getting out of surgery. He doesn't normally sleep in my arms, so I took advantage of the cuddle time.

When we got home it was VERY evident when the major meds wore off. It was like a light switch was turned on and he was inconsolable. My regular ergo carrier was not useful, because he would have been positioned in a way that would have hurt him more. So, we broke out a sling carrier that a friend had recently gifted me.

It was near-miraculous!

Love, Us.

Some Stuff for Today: Our Little Ninjas

Just a quick warning - if you are in a place where you need to be quiet (like a library), get ready to suppress your laughter. These kids are ridiculous!

Love, Us.

Pictures for Today: Final Father Pics

You've already seen one of these as the current main picture on this blog. But, so that it remains here for future viewing, here are the final family pics that we got with Father before he left. 

Love, Us.

Two Pictures for Today: T's New Godfather Pic

Here at the Librandi house we try to keep a picture of each kid with both of their godparents up on the wall at all times. Well, it had been well over a year since T had renewed her picture with Father Mathias, so when the Kodak moments arrived we took advantage. I think we definitely have a couple of great new replacements to pick from!

Love, Us.

A Picture for Today: Our Thanksgiving Menu

Well, I failed to take any pictures of food prep on Thanksgiving, or even of finished menu items before they began to be consumed. So, for today I have a picture of our left-over smorgasbord, which we fed from all the way through Sunday night! The very last remains were packed for Joe's lunch on Monday - it was perfect!

And, just for memorabilia's sake (and possible ease in planning next year), our menu was:

Sweet Potato Soup with Bacon

Homemade Soft Pretzels

Salad

Roasted Chicken Drumsticks

Roasted Veggies ("Veggie Candy")

Slow-Cooked Country-Style Ribs

Roasted Squash Bites ("Crustless Pumpkin Pie")

Tiramisu

Wine and Sparkling Grape Juice

Milk (for the kids and the Tiramisu)

Water

It was GOOD (and minus the pretzels, Tiramisu, and wine - all Paleo)!

Love, Us.

Some Pictures for Today: Fun With Godfather

I've got a gathering of pictures for you today from Father Mathias' visit. 

I think they give a sense of the wonderful, relaxing, family time we had. Enjoy!

Also, I'm up extra early this morning, because I'm bringing the little guy in for his circumcision. 

If you have a moment, say a little prayer that all goes well!

Love, Us.

Some Pictures for Today: Why to have a Priest Come and Stay In-Home...

For today, just a few pictures to illustrate why it is wonderful to have a priest stay in-home during a visit. Every morning (except Thanksgiving, when we went to the parish Mass) we would have a nice relaxing morning, have a nice breakfast and chat, maybe say a rosary, and then start our hour fast when the last drink of coffee had been consumed. Then, still in their stocking feet, Father and the kids would set up for Mass! 

Yeah - pretty much the best! However, as Joe noted after the first Mass we celebrated in-house, it was quite intimidating inviting not only Father, but the King of Kings into our house in such a concrete way! Now THAT is a house guest that you can't hide the dirty floor boards from, if you get what I mean!

Thank you, Father, for such a wonderful blessing for us and the kiddos!

Love, Us.

A Picture for Today: Happy Advent!

We spent much time yesterday discussing how great Advent is. 

It sure gets the excitement for Christmas going, doesn't it?

Love, Us.

Some Pictures for Today: Dancing with Godfather

Well, we just had a wonderful week of rest with a great friend. Father Mathias joined us for the week, and it was such a blessing! The kids, as I mentioned previously, were attached to him at every possible moment (note David's position in these pictures), and it was so great to catch up over good food, fun games, and times of prayer.

And, if you are a faithful reader of this blog, you are aware that any size of gathering at the Librandi house would not be complete without a few dance breaks! For today, some pictures from one such occasion with Godfather Mathias.

Love, Us.

A Video for Today: Patrick's Speedy Moves

Prepare yourself for some mind-blowing sit-dance moves! And yes - he gets them from me, of course.

Have fun trying to find a radio station without Christmas music today! 

FYI - Come Sunday, check out Matt Maher's "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel". It's good.

Love, Us.

A Picture for Today: Happy Thanksgiving!

Hope you are having a joyous day! We are enjoying our time with Father Mathias to the full! David tried to capture the moment with markers…

A more accurate account would have included him and Thérèse climbing all over Father. Sometimes I think that the kids have a magnetic attraction to him. I'm sure there will be many tears shed when we have to say goodbye to him tomorrow. It has been wonderful!

And yes - we are currently stuffed (and our fridge is stuffed with left-overs). Naps are calling!

Love, Us.