Colin Jeffrey's Baptism

Colin Jeffrey was baptized November 11th at our church.  My sister Melissa and her husband John are his God Parents, they are for all three of our children!  We had a wonderful church service with all of our in town family, and then met for lunch at Famous Dave's.  We are so thankful for our beautiful baby boy, and thankful for our family that love him so much.  I pray that Colin will grow up loving and knowing Jesus as his Lord and Savior.  May God bless him always! 

CJ wearing the Baptismal gown that is 100 years old this year, sewn by his Great Great Grandmother, for his Great Grandmother's baptism, worn also by his Grandmother, his Mommy, aunts, Uncle, and most all of his cousins on my side!  Such a special tradition!

before the Baptism!

The whole crew

Mommy, Daddy, Aunt Melissa and Uncle John

Colin Jeffrey's 1st Halloween!!

This Halloween was Colin's first Halloween!!  We put him in a glow in the dark skeleton costume!  He isn't even three months yet, so we went for comfort, plus Luke thought it was cool!!  Luke was Batman again this year, last year he was the Dark Knight Batman, so this year he was more the 1960's Batman.  Gabby was Princess Merida from Brave.  Rob thought it was the perfect costume to go with her red curly hair!  This year cousin William was able to come with which was really cool for the kids since he lives in Aurora! 

Stationery card

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Luke's First Day of Kindergarten

Wow, yesterday was a big milestone for Luke (and Mommy) he started Kindergarten!  This has been really tough on me, because I always pictured him going to half day Kindergarten, but was told by the school he would be the only one doing that, and no one had done it for 7 years!  We only live a block from the school and I am home anyway, so I thought it would be able to happen.  I ended up deciding to send him for the whole day, because I didn't want him to be the only kid not going whole day.  Today is his first long day, so we will see how it goes!  He ended up doing really well yesterday, and was very excited about his first day.  I cried a bit, and have cried more today, but I think some of it may be because I just gave birth less than 3 weeks ago.  Gotta love hormones!  It is hard though after spending everyday with him for 5 years to send him out into the world, but that is part of being a parent.  I know he is going to learn a lot this year, and make lots of new friends.  I will have more time and attention for Gabby and Colin this way too! 
Yesterday Rob and I walked Luke down to the school, and got to stay there for the first hour which was nice.

Proud Big Brother!

Luke has wanted a baby brother for quite sometime!  He told us that his baby brother's name would be Bruce Wayne after Batman.  We didn't go for his name suggestion, but Luke is in love with baby Colin! 

Colin Jeffrey has arrived!!

Colin Jeffrey arrived August 3rd, at 5:14 p.m. weighing in at 7 pounds and 15 ounces, 21 inches long!  His Mommy, Daddy, big brother and big sister, are so proud! 

Right after his birth!

Bonding after his birth!

Very proud big brother!!

What a cutie!

Mommy of three!

First day home!

T-ball 2012

Luke played T-ball this summer, and Rob was the team's Coach.  Rob played Hudson ball after he moved here in 6th grade, so it was fun for him to coach his son now!  The kids were adorable, and had lots of fun playing!  Gabby had lots of fun playing with the Rader girls.  She couldn't wait to get there to play with them every game!

Abram, Luke, Kiley, and Matthew goofing around in the dugout!

How Gabby heads to the game

Gabby and the Rader girls playing!

He enjoyed getting dirty, more than playing the game!

Mimi, Luke and Gabby

Papa Steve, Mami Kay and Lukie

Handsome baseball boy

Trophy!

Team picture!

Happy 4th of July!

We had a great 4th of July!  We just stuck around the house most of the day and took the kids out for lunch at Steak and Shake.  When you are about 36 weeks pregnant, you don't feel much like being out and about in 104 degree weather!!  We did go over to Mom and Dad's for dinner, and then met up with The Snider's for the fireworks along with Mom and Dad!  You can tell how hot it was by looking at the pictures of the kids at the fireworks!!

Luke, Gabby and Rob

Waiting for the fireworks to start

Gabrielle and Lauryn playing her same age cousin

Gabby, Luke and Lauryn posing!

Gabby, Ellen and Lauryn watching fireworks together!

I just loved this one of Gabby

Luke, Ellen, Uncle John, and Lauryn

Ellen, Luke, Lauryn and Gabby

Dells 2012

We made a kind of last minute trip up to the Dells for the only week in June we were free!  We stayed at the Hotel Rome at Mt. Olympus!  We had stayed there before, so we knew we would have a good time there.  The kids loved the water park and theme park that you get to play in for free with the hotel.  We stayed our first night at my mom and dad's Wisconsin house, which the kids loved.  From there we stayed 3 nights at the Dells.  Luke was go, go, go the whole trip!  He would be at the park from 10 a.m. when it opened till after 10 at night with Rob.  Gabby and I had to go back to the room to rest a few times in a day though.  I am glad we were able to get away for a short vacation before the baby comes!

At Mami Kay and Papa Steve WI house with Daddy and Papa

Exploring around the WI house

Cheering because we at the Dells!

Cool Dude at the water park!

Brother and Sisterly love!

On the Choo Choo train!

By one of the lazy rivers!

Luke on the roller coaster for kids!

awww

Gabby on the frog!

zonked out at the water park!

Look at the adorable face!