Haircuts

The girls got their hair cut just before Halloween.  It had been awhile (like a year...) since they had their hair cut and they were getting tired of the length.  Too cute!!

 

Livingroom Camping

We started unpacking the cabinets a couple of days ago.  The girls immediately started making plans for a camping experience in the livingroom.  They slept the entire night in their own boxes.

 I spy with my little eye...a little eye.

It belongs to Brigid!!

Gianna's 9th Birthday

For Gianna's "stay home and let's not socialize for long periods of time" 9th birthday, we decided to put together "party in a bag" surprises for our family and some friends.

This was a brilliant idea three weeks ago when we had a working oven.  Three days before Gianna's birthday, the oven decided to die - right in the middle of baking a lasagna.  There was a moment of panic until we called Grandma Bestgen and she graciously allowed us to use her oven to bake.  We spent FIVE hours baking (and picking on Papa and wasting time) the day before Gianna's birthday.

 The morning of her birthday she decorated every cake with love.

 We also included plates, napkins, forks, small cans of pop, party hats, and fun party bags for the kids.  We had a great time putting it all together.  Brech, Brigid, and Kiara all helped Gianna get the bags ready for each family.

Then Gianna and I delivered cakes all afternoon.  She got to see some of her most favorite people on her birthday.  It was a better birthday than we could have imagined.  She also received lots of pictures of everyone eating their cake.  Some even sent videos of them singing to her and blowing out candles on their cakes for her.  It was a successful "coronavirus ain't ruining this birthday" endeavor.

Thank you to all the friends and family who participated and gifted Gianna with their love and presents!! 

She had a great birthday party later in the evening with us and her one friend, Lucy, who got to spend the night.  This is one birthday Gianna will remember forever!

 Alice in Wonderland themed tea!!

 (How did Uncle Luke and Aunt Jess know I wanted these?)

 Lucy gave her a Chip teacup that matched her napkins!  Fun!!

What a great birthday for a great young lady!  She's growing up faster than we could have imagined.  Why can't the years just slow down a tiny bit?  Nine more years until she's grown - though she thinks she is already grown!  

Love you 100 times 100 times 9, Miss Gianna!!

2019-2020 School Picture

 First day of the maybe eighth week of school.  We may have been a bit behind on this.

Rex - 9th, Cormac - 9th, Stephen - 11th/12th

Brech - 5th

Gianna - 3rd, Brigid - K/1st, Kiara - K/1st

 The teacher's selfie - with a little help.

Photobomber alert!

Gianna's First Holy Communion

We were blessed to have Gianna's First Holy Communion on the first Saturday of May.  She was a beautiful, sweet First Holy Communicant.  The three biggest highlights of the day were receiving Jesus for the first time, sharing the special day with her bff, Lucy, and experiencing all that at one of our favorite churches, St. Martin's. 

BFF's 

The start of one of the most beautiful Masses of her life.

 Getting ready!!

 My Lord and my God! 

 Lucy's big moment

 Gianna's big moment (she's there somewhere)

 Lamb of God

 Brown Scapular enrollment

 Father Castor with the happy girls

 Our favorite friend, Laree, was an honored guest!

 Grandma and Papa with Gianna

 Gianna got to attend a special ladies' luncheon after her First Holy Communion.