Baking Cookies for Grandma & Grandpa!

We were so lucky to have Grandma & Grandpa Babby visit recently that Nathan wanted to bake them a surprise! So, we made chocolate chip cookies and timed it so they would be warm when they arrived...what a smart little boy:-) They were a hit and that's saying a lot since Grammy is quite the baker herself!

Yummy!

Brandon slurps up his brother's hard work.

Big "Grandma Hug"

Grammy couldn't wait to get her arms around the boys (and vice versa):-) She loved the cookies!

Relaxing on the Patio

Grandpa & B. Boy enjoy one of Dublin's warm summer nights!

Grandma & Grandpa Babby

Reading time with "Grammy & Poppy."

My Daredevil Boys!

The boys came up with this game where they stand in this pop up basket, Brandon holds onto Nathan for dear life, while Nathan falls forward...arms at side (as kids, I believe we called this the suicide fall). Fortunatley, no serious injuries, just some mild respiratory distress due to laughing too hard;-)

Nap Time...floaties and all!

Our little man was waiting patiently for some Daddy & me time at the pool, when he fell asleep...sleep is the enemy to our little "miss-a-phobe." He was snuggled so nicely on my shoulder while I read us all a story in the living room, and by page 4 they were BOTH asleep, WOW! So, David put the baby down and I tried to gently sneak outta there for some relaxing chat time with the hubby...EEEHH (obnoxious buzzer sound) no luck. He awoke saying, "Pool Daddy, I want to go to the pool." He doesn't miss a trick.

Happy "Labor Day"

The Babbys host a shower for our dear friends Scott, Ginny and "Bud" Moyer! The Babby Boys were the finest little hosts in town. They're naturals!

Official Belly Rubber

I bet you didn't know there was such a thing! Well there is now at the Babby household.

Monkey see Monkey do

In usual fashion, Brandon has to get in on whatever big brother is doing. Adrienne is such a sport:-)

Pin the Rattle on the Bear

Nathan comes close but Katherine takes the prize! Speaking of Katherine, Therese sent me a story about the two of them that is just darling. Read below.

As for the story, I was so impressed with Nathan - he has such a quiet kindness about him. Katherine was outside with him and he had two juice boxes. I wasn't paying much attention to what he was doing, only trying to monitor Katherine to make sure that she didn't take anything from him. He was holding one juice box and keeping track of the other and every time that she reached for it, he would say, quietly but firmly "that's mine!" I know that older kids sometimes get annoyed with younger ones and so was focused on distracting her and/or removing her to another part of the yard, but Nathan suddenly turned toward her and handed her the juice box that he had been holding - the one that was "his" was his secondary concern, as he had been unwrapping the straw on the first one for her! I was so impressed with his care and concern and his quiet way of taking care of her. Katherine is a really neat person who is always loving; this exchange gave her such a great example also of being caring and concerned for others. I was so impressed!

Nathan's New Favorite Pastime

Here he is after games, cake and plenty o' fun, on his chair (feet up of course) with a bag of popcorn rubbing Adrienne's belly. We have no idea how this came about, it started on 4th of July at Colleen's (see those postings) and hasn't stopped anytime he gets around a pregnant woman. What can I say he'll be a good hubby and Papa! Many moons from now:-)

And Baby Makes 3!

Scott & Ginney get a big congratulatory hug from our fine little host!

We Remember...

all those who lost their lives while in pursuit of Life, Liberty and Happiness.

And those who gave their lives in order to protect just that...as well as giving us hope and renewal in our faith in God.

Thank you.

My country,' tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing; land where my fathers died, land of the pilgrims' pride, from every mountainside let freedom ring!

My native country, thee, land of the noble free, thy name I love; I love thy rocks and rills, thy woods and templed hills; my heart with rapture thrills, like that above.

Let music swell the breeze, and ring from all the trees sweet freedom's song; let mortal tongues awake; let all that breathe partake; let rocks their silence break, the sound prolong.

Our fathers' God, to thee, author of liberty, to thee we sing; long may our land be bright with freedom's holy light; protect us by thy might, great God, our King.

Steven's Bar Mitsvah

We attended my cousin Steven's bar mitsvah last month and had a blast! It was our 1st one!

The Rabbi is enamored with Brandon as Daddy secures his yamaka. Nathan asked 3 minutes into the service if it was over yet...hmm sound familiar.

The children got to run around Crystal Springs while I saw my little cousin grow up (it seems) in one ceremony. What a lovely and meaningful experience for us all. Thank you Steven.

All the way from Roma!

Here is the wee luv running around in his "John-John" outfit (brought home from Rome by Mommy after being blessed by the Pope) which compliments the yamaka perfectly. I think the ensemble is just darling...don't miss the bright white shoes and long socks to finish the look:-)

"G.G." & her Rat Pack (x2 generations)

"G.G." (Great Grandma to the little ones) or "Ma" to us, posed for a shot with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. One great-grandchild had just been born in Illinois! But you get a sense of how many of us there are, and we're missing quite a few! Those Irish Catholics sure know how to throw a party...best bar mitsvah ever!

Plum Tuckered Out

Here he is fast asleep. Notice his treat bag just waiting for him when he wakes up. Compliments of big brother, an excellent sharer, who had a bigger one himself.