Jacob's 4th birthday

 Jacob had a pretty low key birthday this year. He did however, enjoy many phone calls and birthday cards and gifts in the mail.  We can't believe four years has already passed since his birth.  He is such a smart, funny and loving little boy.

 Raphael had a hard time accepting that it wasn't also his birthday.

 Pattern blocks were one of his favorite gifts.

 Getting ready for some Zetti's pizza.

Happy birthday Jacob, you brighten up each and every day!

Jacob wanted to share his cake this year. We had cake to celebrate his birthday, Seamus' birth and Aunt Maria's engagement. What a month!

Christmas

 We had a wonderful Christmas in Ithaca. We met the newest addition to the family, Seamus Michael, who was born on December 3rd.  He is a beautiful little baby!

 Jacob and Seamus.

 Theo is already over six months old. He had a great first Christmas. Aunt Maria also recently became engaged.  Congratulations Maria and Pano.

 Here is our family photo shoot prior to Christmas Eve mass.  Jacob had just been crying so he doesn't look his best.

 All the grandsons on one coach.

 Here are all the Keating girls and the boys!

 Doesn't Rebecca look awesome for just having had a baby?

 The proud grandparents.

 Our little family.

 This is Theo on Christmas morning. Jay was sporting his winter beard.

Opening gifts, gifts and more gifts.

We headed over to the Albanese side on Christmas morning.  The cutest little Santa Claus was waiting to see us....

I love this picture of everyone in the family room together.

 Beautiful Aunt Laura and Theo.

 Poppy once again made his delicious seven course meal.  This year it included:

Baked brie and marmalade wrapped in puff pastry

Mixed greens and arugula with goat cheese

Onion potato roquefort soup

Crab cakes and clams

Lemon sorbet (Mom and Laura made this and it was excellent!)

Roast lamb with rosemary sprigs

New York style cheesecake and Christmas cookies

 The soup, made by Jay!

 The delicious sorbet.

 The crown jewel of the night-lamb!

 Seamus and Theo, they are going to be best buddies.

 Holding a newborn is pure joy.

 Mom cooking while Theo plays and sits in his high chair.

A tired Theo and Aunt Kristen. We had a wonderful time catching up.

Happy New Year to all of you! We are so blest to have you in our lives.

Christmas in our home

 Here's a peak into our home with all of our Christmas decorations up. I love our nativity from Omi and Opa.  Eventually I'd like to purchase some more figurines to add to the collection.

 Dorthea made this gorgeous needlepoint for our family last year.  I keep it up year round.

 Here's our mini Christmas tree. This year it has a pink and gold theme.

 Soon all four of the candles will be lit on the Advent wreath.

 I love these ceramic Christmas trees. The tallest one was made by my great-grandma McCormick. The other two are from the Holy Family craft sale that we've attended in Rochester.

My mom's stocking from when she was a little girl.

 The crocheted stocking was made by my great-grandma Schuller. I miss her.

Each of the boys has their own ornament box. They each have quite a collection already! Do you like the $1.00 star that I picked up at Target?

 We met up with some great friends at Our Lady of Fatima Shrine in Lewiston.  We found a shepherd and an angel while we were visiting!

 Our boys are all around the same ages. They enjoyed eating dinner together and running around looking at all of the outdoor lights.  They must have run around the outdoor rosary at least half a dozen times!

Kate and I tap danced together in Oneonta, NY. We've known each other since we were five.  She's a wonderful friend, mother and woman! This is our second time going to the shrine with Kate's family around Christmas time. It's becoming a tradition.

Advent-preparing the way

 We have been preparing ourselves for the coming of Christ's birth in many ways. We've been baking, reading Bible stories, opening our Advent calendar, talking about St. Nicholas and overall enjoying the feelings the this time of year brings.

 Baking gingerbread with the boys! Raphael really wanted to eat a gingerbread boy.

 Once a week we've been having movie night, which includes all you can eat popcorn. Here are the boys watching "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer." This is a must see for any family with a dentist!

 We made reindeer hats and used Christmas cookie cutters with playdough.

 We have been playing with friends! Here is Theo with Marisol (7 1/2 months) and Elisa. Marisol is our god-daughter.

 Decorating the tree was lots of fun this year. The boys each have their own ornament box and love remembering who gave them what ornament. Oh the memories.

 Raphael needed some help putting the ornaments up.

 An attempt at some photos under the tree. Raphael kept running away.

 The finished tree.

Just being silly....Happy Gaudete Sunday!