The Wheels on the "TumbleBus" go Round & Round

This afternoon, Libby & I gave Gary some quiet time (for last minute studying for his bar this week) and went to Lilly's 2nd birthday party! It was so much fun to hang out with all of Libby's friends. TJ could hardly contain himself when he saw Libby! They are just 2 weeks apart in age and love having someone their age to play with!

The Tumblebus arrived just as we finished playing in Lilly & TJ's big Blow-Up-Bouncy-Thingy in the basement. For those of you who do not know, a Tumblebus is a gutted out school bus, with tumble mats, slides, trampolines and games.

JP was busy pretending to drive the bus, when we came up with the idea to buy our own old bus, gut it out, and deck it out with our own furnishings. Ideas, names and most importantly, funding are all still pending.

Kayla going down the slide while the other kids play on the trampoline.

After it is all over, the kids get their own medals that say, "winner" on them. JP is a winner, too!

After Lilly opened all of her presents we sang Happy Birthday and cut into her beautiful Princess cakes! Happy Birthday, Lilly! And don't worry....a few more months of peer-pressure and your mommy will start her own blog, too!

Our First Swim Lesson

We started our first swim lessons this morning at the YMCA. After a failed attempt last week, Libby was pumped to learn "The Wheels on the Bus" like all of the big kids. Here she was waiting for the lessons to begin.

Before the lessons started, Libby admired Kayla's super cute Strawberry Shortcake Suit! She loved the flower on the top!

Speaking of so cute suits, check out Sophia in her bikini! Poor Sophia had been sick the past few days, but with the temperature under control, gathered the strength to do "Humpty Dumpty Sat on the Wall" and swim like a champ! She loved to float with the noodle tied around her!

Look close and see Libby showing off her two new teeth! Tooth number two is starting to break thru, too, this week!

Here, Kayla floats on the big fish, just seconds away from a potential melt-down. She was such a big girl this week in the pool with JP! Before she got started, she told me, "I'm going to swim!" which is a big improvement from last weeks, "I don't like swim lessons!". She did awesome!

I don't know who was having more fun in this picture, Mommy or Libby.

TJ is so laid back...he just goes with the flow and was swimming like such a big kid! Here, his mommy, Dena, is cheering for his big sister, Lilly!

Our word for the week is "DaaDaa". Of course, Libby does not relate "DaaDaa" with Gary, yet, but we are working on it. Here, she poses after lessons with her DaaDaa.

I had a cute group shot of all of us sitting on the side of the pool before we started lessons, but I cannot bring myself to post it---exposing my pasty white legs and baby weight is not something I'm ready to do, yet. Thanks, Shannon for taking to the YMCA lady! She was telling her about how crowded our class is (11 children with parents is a lot!)....so, next week, we are all moving to our own class with just the six of us---Kayla, Lilly, TJ, Allie, Libby & Sophia. It'll be awesome to have the whole class to ourselves!

Swim Lesson Video

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Check out Libby's first swim lesson! When it came her turn for "Twinkle, Twinkle" she didn't want to float on her back, so the instructor let her do it on her belly! She loved to put her hand in the water thru the fish's eye! Don't laugh at me in the swimsuit!

Cabin Fever

Libby & I decided to take advantage of the sunshine and go for a little stroll around the neighborhood. Gary is busy studying for the Indiana Bar exam, which he takes early next week, so it was a nice opportunity for him to have a few minutes of peace and quiet to review some note cards. We all know that last time he was cramming for the Bar exam, I was in labor with Libby, so at very least this time he has it a little easier! Check her out here waving to the camera and sporting her pink sunglasses (okay, it wasn't that sunny, but she just looked so darn cute!) For the first time, she really loved her walk. She jabbered the entire time (she learned to say "DaaaDaaa") and looked all around. By the time we got to the back of the subdivision, she had fallen asleep and was just laid back enjoying the fresh air!

Snow Baby

As most of you all know, we got some snow this weekend. I have been wanting to take Libby out in the snow several times this winter, but after I heard the forecast (it's going to be in the 50's later in the week) I became worried that I might miss our opportunity. So, I got her in her snow suit that is one loan from her friend Sidney and let her explore.

Libby doing her best impression of Ralphie's Brother from A Christmas Story.... "I can't put my arm's down!"

So long, Farewell....(to the costume, that is)

My home parish, St. Joseph, had it's 2nd annual Marti Gras Lip Sync. The "Hoehn Von Trapp" family did a version of "So Long, Farewell" from The Sound of Music. It was a huge hit and our family, alone, raised over $500 for the new parish hall. We raised a total of almost $12,000 for the evening...which made the embarrassing curtain costumes (and me doing the "flit & float" solo as seen above) worth it! Sorry guys, I was not able to film it!

Gary even got into the Marti Gras Festivities!

Meeting Cousin Will

Friday evening, we went to Josh & Clare's house to meet Libby's new cousin, William Jackson Banet. He is so precious!! It was so amazing to see them together! Will looks just like Josh (and we all know that Libby looks just like Gary) so we decided that there must be something about the Banet gene!

In the car on the way home, Gary and I commented on how strange it was to see Libby with a newborn! We still look at her and think of her as being such a tiny baby, but when we saw her next to Will, she looked so grown up and mature! She looks pretty laid back in this photo! She loved Will's bouncer! Welcome, Will! You are just perfect!

Happy Valentine's Day!

We hope that you all had a great Valentine's Day! Gary's mom picks up Libby from Mema's on Wednesdays, so today she had a very special Valentine's Dinner planned. Mimi & Poppa Ray, Carl, Sherry and Dan, Shannon & Emma all met for a fancy dinner at White Castle. This is the second year that White Castle has taken reservations, set the table with table cloths and fresh flowers and had special menus.

Emma & Libby patiently await their "sliders".

Libby samples a french fry!

Thanks Guys for taking Libby to her first fancy Valentine's Dinner!

Rub-a-dub-dub

It's been a long week without my handy-dandy computer. For those of you who don't know, our computer crashed last Tuesday...so two brand new Gateway computers later, we are now proud to be up and running. Seems it had something to do with our electric outlet or something.

Well, really not much has happened in my 1 week hiatus (even though I was beginning to go thru "blog withdraw"). Libby got a new inflatable bathtub that fits inside our tub. She loves it because she actually has water to splash around and play in. She's going to love swim lessons Saturday!

Colts defeat Da'Bears!

As everyone who reads my Blog knows, the Colts played in the Superbowl on Sunday to defeat Da'Bears! Gary and I got Libby her very first Cheer leading outfit and I couldn't resist snapping a few pictures of her before the party began. Here, Gary patiently poses with Libby & I for a perfect blogging and scrap booking picture!

Libby is crawling everywhere! She takes off and will be in the kitchen or in the hall before we notice that she is not playing on her blanket anymore! I caught her in this picture trying to pull the pictures off of the TV cabinet in the living room! She doesn't look guilty, does she?

Gary & I hosted a small Super Bowl Party. We were so glad that several people were able to attend (we understand that there were a lot of parties to choose from!) As always it was great to get together...well, I don't know if I should use the term "together" since most of the guys stayed downstairs to watch the game while the girls were with the kids upstairs, but none the less, we had a great time, great food, great company...did I mention that we have great friends?! Above, Sophia pulls down her lip to show me the two teeth that she has, as Libby has a stunned look on her face. I don't know what that was all about!

Cory and Sophia with her 1/2 time winnings. She took home $25 for having the 1/2 time score! That can buy a few packs of diapers!

I love this one! Allie and Kayla love to eat puffs at my house. I give them each their own container with lids so they can carry them around. Kayla took it upon herself (she is so grown up) to pour some more in her bowl, causing a huge overflow. She looked up at me and with the cutest little smile said, "I made a mess". I couldn't help but laugh! I am sure the girls had sick bellies when they got home from all of the puffs that they consumed. Look far left in this picture...Lilly is looking in the empty puff container thinking, "What the...?"

Sophia, Libby & TJ pose for a shot. Well, just TJ posed, the girls act pissed. They are all just 3 weeks of each other in age. I am sure that the time is going to come when Sophia & Libby fight over who is TJ's girlfriend.

What get together is complete without a group photo of the kiddos? TJ, Lilly, Kayla, Sophia, Allie & Libby were all good sports for this picture!

Dena & her beautiful boy, TJ. Aren't TJ's eyes killer?

Thanks, guys for coming! We had a great time!

Cousin Josie's 4th Birthday

Wow! Check out that Cake! Gary's sister's little girl, Josie, celebrated her "Golden Birthday" Sunday, turning 4 on the 4th. She had a princess birthday party at Angie & Kevin's new house.

This picture makes me laugh for two reasons. First off, I think it is funny that it is a picture of all of the kids around the table...AND GARY. It just makes me laugh that he posed for the shot, too. Secondly, if you notice, Josie (Wearing the Pink shirt with head down in center) is upset because she loved her birthday cake and didn't want to cut it...she wanted to save it for next year. We couldn't get her to even crack a smile during "Happy Birthday" let alone blow out a candle! She'll look back one day and laugh.

I don't know what Gary's Dad is telling Libby in this picture, but she sure is interested in hearing what he had to say!

Libby's First Basketball Game

Saturday night, Gary, Libby & I went to watch Libby's Cousin's Basketball game. K.S.* did so great and we were so very proud of him! He got several rebounds and steals and just looked so darn cute with his "McDreamy" haircut! Libby wore her Colts Cheer leading outfit (as you will soon see, it was her main outfit for this weekend's festivities--if Mommy and Daddy are going to spend that kind of money for an outfit, she is going to get her use out of it!!)

Libby and her Uncle Chris smile for a photo op!

Here K.S.* dribbles the ball down the court!

Libby posing for a picture with her friend, L.P.* During the game, he continued to ask his Mommy if he could "hold the baby". He is such a Colts fan that even his lips are blue!

*Initials were used to protect the identity of the children pictured.

Look out Class of 2024!

Friday afternoon only means one thing, play date with Amy & Sophia. We went to lunch after we went to the YMCA to sign up for infant/mommy swim lessons (I promise no pictures of mommies in their bathing suits will be posted here). After the girls' bellies were full, we decided to use my new camera equipment and take a few picture of the girls. Here are a few of my favorites:

Sophia's best "Senior Picture Pose" (we decided all that was missing was a director's chair or those big numbers that say "2024".)

I love this one....it's so natural!

Yes, the girls have clothes! However, after a wardrobe change, they both got grumpy and needed a nap!