Spring Break in Chattanooga

We spent most of spring break this year at home relaxing,  however we did take a day trip to Chattanooga and had a wonderful time!!  Less than 2 hours north of us, the city has so much to offer families.  We chose to take the kids for a ride on the "Chattanooga Choo Choo",  a restored 1911 steam engine.  On the hour round trip ride we went through 1 tunnel (hand dug, pre-civil war) and over 3 bridges and even got to get off to watch them detach the engine and turn it around on a real turn table.  We all found it very interesting and fun!  After lunch, we took a stroll over a very cool walking bridge spanning the river to visit the Children's Museum. Then back across the bridge to a large park where the kids could run, play, and even ride a carousel!  We ended the day with dinner and ice cream...what a perfect family day!

Getting ready to enter the train station

Buying our tickets

Ready to ride

Most of the ride was through the woods

After the ride we browsed around the train yard, looking at all the neat engines and cars

View from the walking bridge

The bridge we walked across

Water fun at the Children's Museum

Samuel 6 Months

It's been a quick half a year with Samuel.  He's a happy, healthy little 6 month old baby now!  He weighs 16 lbs and is staying steady on the 25 percentile curve.  He continues to nurse well, in fact, that's about all he will do.....it is difficult to get him to take a bottle at all and he hasn't been too excited about the couple baby foods we have introduced so far.  He continues to chew and drool like crazy but no teeth yet.  He puts everything in his mouth these days, including his fists, his toes, and his Sophie giraffe.  He is a rolling machine, making it across the living room floor in all directions at times.  He had started scooting forward on his belly last month but hasn't done much of that this month.  He has been focusing on his talking more...he loves to babble and now even happily screech and squeal at a variety of volumes and pitches.  It is so cute to see him try out his voice to see what it can do.  He likes to listen to books, as well as try to eat them :-)  He is very active!  Holding him can be challenging at times because he is always moving and climbing all over you, although he of course does love to be held as much as possible.  Bath time is still one of his favorite things, always getting plenty of smiles from him, and plenty of water all over the floor.....he loves to splash!  He is just starting to sit up on his own for maybe 10 seconds before tumbling over....usually because he is trying to get his feet in his mouth.  Sleeping is our biggest challenge with Sam!  He does not like to do it and when he does, he sleeps very lightly.  For the past couple months, we have resorted to letting him sleep in our bed in an effort to let Mommy get a little rest.  This has certainly helped,  though his love for nursing and snuggling with Mommy at night still leaves Mommy quite tired all the time.  It's hard to deny those big blue eyes, those chubby cheeks, and sweet little baby boy snuggles though!  Sweet Sam we love you and we savour every moment with you!!

I like my fingers better than a paci at this point

"Yes, I am part of this crazy crew"

Now for the toes....

little man in a big chair :-)

He loves to bounce in this

His serious look

First time in a park swing

Loving that smile!!!

Happy Easter!

   Happy Easter everyone!  We had a wonderful celebration of Christ's resurrection AND of cousin Colin Pinto's Baptism on Easter Sunday this year.  We travelled 2 hours south to Warner Robbins GA to be with Shawn's Uncle Randy and Aunt Bernie's family this Easter.  Their son Chris and his wife Christy had their second son baptized on Easter so it was an extra joyous day!  It was so nice to be with family for the holiday too!  The Johnsons were gracious hosts, the weather was lovely, and visiting with all our family was just great!

Grace helping Sam open his Easter basket

Grace was most excited to find new Frozen PJ's in her basket

Henry was most excited about the garden tools.....and the candy!

This is one of about 5 pictures I have of Henry holding up different candies and snacks from his basket.....he was REALLY excited for all that....he has the biggest sweet tooth the house.

The Easter Bunny also brought some great books for the kids

Handsome boys ready for church

What a beautiful Easter morning!  It's hard to see but the azalea's were in full bloom in south GA this year and it was just lovely!

Best one we could get of all of them....I promise no babies were hurt during this shot....I caught Sam right after this was taken :-)

He was happy to smile for his solo shot though :-)

Henry is really attached to his "prayer book" (a day planner with a leather cover with a cross on it that Nana gave him) and brings it with him to church all the time.

Sweet little Colin's baptism

Uncle Randy and Aunt Bernie with 5 out of 6 of their boys and their families (AJ is stationed in Alaska right now)

#1 nephew contest photo  :-)

Thank you Christ for your sacrifice to save all of us....we are so blessed!

The newest member of the church...Colin Pinto

Happy Easter

All my boys...with Venerable Michael J McGivney, founder of the Knights of Columbus

All the kids ready for the Egg hunt at the Johnsons house

Hunting for eggs

Fun with confetti filled eggs

Hunting for Eggs

Each year the Knights of Columbus at our parish host an Easter egg hunt on Holy Saturday.  Usually the bunny makes an appearance too :-)  This year was a another fun year "hunting" eggs and meeting the Easter Bunny !

Sammy's first Easter