About the post

Be patient with the videos, they took awhile to appear on my computer. And when you're watching Sophia - she's the one in the leotard, 3rd from the left.

Sophia's 1st Ballet class & my bd

I had to show you all my blazing birthday cake, with 37 burning candles.  I had a great birthday with my Aunt Eileen, Uncle Pat and Coco here to celebrate with the 8 of us, it was a great day. And I was spoiled beyond belief! It was  relaxing day and we got Panera for lunch, I was showered with gifts and Randy even got to come home for dinner (he was suppose to be at work) and of course all the kidos were excited to celebrate.

Today (Oct. 10), Sophia had her first ballet class! She was so excited. Aunt Coco was nice enough to take her today. She LOVED it! It's at her school, but not part of the school day.  It's a half hour each Wednesday, Oct. - April.

We brought Lucas home on Saturday, September 29. It was a sunny fall day. The leaves on the trees were all still green Thursday but by Saturday they had all become yellow and brown and orange, a nice welcome home for our little guy.

Max, Henry, and Sophia getting a good look at their new brother we just brought home.

Timmy wants a look too. (Alex was still at a weekend camp out with boy scouts and didn't get home until the next day.)

Napping beside an awake baby.

Lucas Matthew

Saturday night before bed Henry finally holds his newest little brother. He's now hooked and wants to hold him all the time. Really, everyone loves to hold the little guy.

Lucas's first sponge bath with big brothers, Henry and Timmy looking on.

Here are some pictures from yesterday afternoon when the older kids had their first visit with Lucas

The first family photo with Lucas.

The most experienced big brother holding Lucas

Max was very proud. He took many turns holding his new brother.

Sophia thought he was very cute, but was considerably less careful than her older brothers when holding him. We'll need to work on that.

We couldn't talk Henry into holding Lucas. He was, however, very into the idea of giving Kara all the presents that aunt Kathy had so generously helped the kids pick out for the new baby. Henry did think it was hilarious that we are going to spend the night in the hospital. "You gonna sleep here!?!?" he said while laughing.

Tim was happy to hold Lucas with some assistance. I'm not sure if he know what to think about the little guy.

And a couple bonus pictures of just Lucas. He was feeling cooperative and had his eyes open for these. We will be coming home sometime Saturday. Kara is feeling good. Lucas is doing good. All is as expected with his single kidney: it is there and functioning, so nothing to worry about. He is starting to be a little more awake today.

As promised, here are a few more pictures of Lucas. His brothers and sisters will be visiting this afternoon.

Timmy 2nd Birthday!

Timmy's birthday is actually today and so we celebrated, of course. We had a little party with all of us plus Aunt Kathy and Uncle Dale.
Then later tonight the 7 of us went out for dinner to continue the celebration.




Here are a few pictures of Timmy opening his gifts. I tried to get him to look up and smile at me, but he wouldn't look away from his new toys until I put the camera down. He and his brothers and sister all enjoyed the new gifts.


Timmy's Blue's Clues cake.

Alex completed his 50 mile bike ride! (Randy too)

Some of you already know Alex has been working on his cycling merit badge for Boy Scouts. There is some written work on first aid he needed to do and then complete 2- 10 mile, 2- 15 mile, 2- 25 mile bike rides, which he has done. He also needed to plan a 50 mile bike ride and complete it within 8 hours for the badge. Today, he (and Randy) completed the 50 mile bike ride in 6 hours and 35 min.!! Yea Alex!!!