Congratulations Lauren & Jesse!!!

We could not be more excited for our newly engaged couple, Lauren & Jesse.  Aren't they so cute???  We celebrated with champagne on Thanksgiving!!!  Perfect way to start their lives together - with family.

We recently went dress shopping (all the ladies & kids) and had a wonderful time.  Lauren is so beautiful!  Caty & Rosie are going to be junior bridesmaids, Anna & Alison will be walking down the gifts, and Jo will be a flower girl!!  So exciting!! Can't wait for November 12th!!

Birthday Girl! Rosie turns 11!

We celebrated Tim & Rosie's December birthdays on Thanksgiving!  We hosted a wonderful Thanksgiving/birthday celebration!  We did miss Mary (flu bug got her) & Joanie (celebrated with her in-laws).  Rosie was so excited to get the Hunger Games Trilogy books to go in her new bookcase.  I was so excited to read them as well (we're both on Book #3 & can't put it down!)

Rosie is a sensitive, hard working, caring, athletic young woman.  She's in 5th grade, loves soccer, clothes, and is usually pretty good to her to sisters!  She now has her own room but still wants them to sleep with her periodically.  She works hard at school and is very organized.  Rosie has Pete's demeanor and ability to calmly work through problems, but she is sensitive like me & has my hair!  Happy Birthday to my oldest daughter, Rose Caroline Carollo!

We gave Tim the new Clive Cussler book, and I think he was very excited with it!  Tim is the best with the little kids, and Jo is no exception!

First Reconciliation

What a wonderful night for Anna.  She was so excited to receive this Sacrament, and we are so proud of her.  She was so funny and kept "rehearsing" the steps and wrote down what she was going to say (of course I could not see it).  This year, we were all able to go to Reconciliation (thanks to a change by Fr. Jack), so it was a great way to start the Advent Season.  God Bless You Anna!

Spa Weekend

We surprised my good friend Tera with an amazing 40th birthday weekend in November!  We drove about 2 hours to Pana, Illinois where there is a hidden resort to get pampered for one whole day!  We completely surprised her & her twin sister (who flew in from Tulsa) to be with her.  She got the full spa treatment & a night with friends to eat & drink & be merry!  It was great, and a weekend we won't forget!

Carrie, Tera, Kathy, Clare & me (Tawana took the picture).  I wish I had quickly snapped one of her & Tera before we left!!

5th Grade Field Trip to Cahokia Mounds

I forgot about this fun field trip!  It was a cool, breezy day to be up on the Mounds, but it was worth it!  Lots of learning today, and the kids were quizzed on the material!!  I was nervous as a guide to make sure they saw everything!! 

The whole class with Mrs. Koberlein!

On top of the Main Mound!

Inside one of the huts (remade hut, of course)

Reconciliation / 1st Communion Mass

 We celebrated Mass for the 2nd graders about to receive two Sacraments this year:  First Reconciliation & First Holy Communion.  We asked Tim & Janet (Anna's Godparents) & my parents to attend the Mass, and we are so happy they came!  Fr. Jack Siefert is an old friend of Tim (& our whole family), and he is now our PASTOR!!!  We are thrilled to have him, and he has done wonders in the 6 months he has been at St. MM!  We are truly blessed to have him at St. Mary Magdalen!

Not a great picture but we tried!

A good one at home!

September / October Birthday Bash

Our celebration was at Greg & Kay's house, and it was a big one - lots of birthdays in September & October!

We now have a 16 year old, 15 year old, & 8 year old.  I won't mention the other ages.....

The birthday folks! 

Isn't she so cute - Elizabeth is growing up so fast!