SO, What's NEW?!?

So, what's new since I have last posted...

much!

Summer was a warm one, but the children got to enjoy swimming at the Minersville pool, two trips to Knoebles, a trip to Hershey park, Crystal Cave, Roadside America, trips to Rickett's Glenn Sgtate Park and World's End State park, the Reading Muesum, a Reading Phillies game and multiple playdates with different friends. In August, we had the bittersweet reunion of the Mills family here in 

Pennsylvania as we had to say goodbye to "Grandfather Lance".

We welcomed Timothy Michael to our family on

Sept. 18, 2013 after an early delivery by 3 weeks,

he was considerably small...7 lb 10 oz, 20" long.

We had a lot of help from friends with the children while I was in the hospital, for which we are thankful.


 Upon hospital discharge, we celebrated Marcus' 8th birthday with a party at home 

complete with friends and a chess cake, again without our friends help, it would have not been possible.

Then on Sunday, Sept. 25, we celebrated Timothy's baptism.

Brian had to go back to work on Monday as the paper was short staffed to begin with, so I was 

back to mommy duty, HOWEVER, I did let school go for a while...something had to give.

Needless to say, life was a bit crazy for a while, but we are all pretty well settled into being a family with 7 children.

Timothy is a delight to all of his siblings, we wouldn't want it any other way!

Our princess has decided to rename herself, "Sugar Plum Princess".

Thomas has become "Bomb".

The rest of the children seem to like their names which is a blessing!

The autumn left us with some fun activities, including festivals and hayrides. Halloween this past year was very wet, but the children had fun, none the less.

We walked around town with some friends, but ended up having to throw the 

candy away as there was a pin found in a piece of candy that was handed out in one of the

areas in which we were, we figured better safe than sorry...the kiddos didn't seem to mind terribly.

We had a Roman soldier, Robin Hood, Ninja Turtle, Bomb the Angry bird, Sugar Plum fairy and 

a cute little guy in the first Halloween sleeper.

Thanksgiving was spent at my father and stepmother's home and was very nice.

On Dec. 6, we celebrated John's 5th birthday at the Pine Grove Theater and watched "Planes".

He had many friends at the party, and everyone seemed to have a good time! This is the cake he had on his "real" birthday..at the party for convenience it was cupcakes.

  Christmas was a good time as well...we had our traditional Christmas Eve celebration here

with family and friends. However, I did go to Mass early, and Brian took Marcus and Luke to midnight Mass.  In the morning, which wasn't until about 9 am, the children woke up and opened their gifts, everyone seemed pleased.  We had our Christmas day dinner with some friends then 

Luke's godparents came to visit in the evening.

For New Year's Eve, we stayed home..again I went to Mass early, and Brian took Marcus the following morning.  My father, stepmother, and Brian's mom came for dinner.

Throughout the holiday, we had to deal with the fast moving stomach virus. And the week before the holiday, Timothy was diagnosed with bronchiolitis, it must work itself out as it is viral as well.

Here is hoping that we have seen the worst of the sickness for our family, but if not, we will 

handle it as it comes.

School officially started back on Monday, January 6 for us, and the boys were anxious to

get back into a routine, which made life much easier!

That is a brief overview of what has happened to us as we bid farewell to 2013 

and welcome in the year 2014.

                                      
We look forward to the year of 2014 and in it, our family is hoping to grow more spiritually
and to do things even better than before....
may you all have a spiritually blessed New Year!

With all my love to you!

God Bless!