In Other News...

Last Saturday Patrick went to a birthday party at the bowling ally with the 2nd grade boys.  Here are some pictures of that craziness.  

Becca recently discovered that braids put kinks in her hair...and she loves it.  So I put a bunch of braids in one night.

This is what she looked like the next morning.

I'm have flashbacks of myself in the 80's.

Becca's class also lead Mass for the first time last Friday.  She as assigned part of the psalm.  Here she is coming in the church.

I have to sit in the back so all the school kids fit and I can keep Lia from distracting everyone while she runs around.

Here's my girl with Miss Keck ready to help, not that Becca needed any.

After Mass, Patrick told me that "Becca did beautifully!" which she did.  I am, as always, very proud of Rebecca and all our amazing children.

Tornado

The week has been historic for us.  An EF4 tornado hit our town around 11 AM on Sunday Nov. 17, 2013 only 0.2 miles from our home.  It was reported to be 1/2 mile wide and on the ground for 46.2 miles!   The destruction left behind is unbelievable; anywhere from 200-500 homes were hit.  Miraculously, there was only one death and about 100 injuries.  The town's spirit is the real story.  You don't hear anyone saying "Why me?" but saying "How can I help?" and "It's only stuff, we're okay".  I am amazed and humbled and very proud of my new hometown.

The citizens wore orange on Friday to not only show our support for the football team (who is playing in the state semi-finals right now), but to show the world we are united as a community.  Here's our contribution.

We are Washington Strong.  God bless you and keep you and please keep our neighbors in your prayers.

The Girls' Birthday

Yesterday Rebecca turned 6 and Cecilia turned 1.  It was our first co-birthday celebration and I think it went great.  Here is Lia wondering what the heck is going on.

Yeah presents!

Becca scored big this birthday with Equestria Girls dolls from Grandma and Grandma Sullivan.

Lia need a little help to open her gifts.

Given that she's been carrying it around for two days, I think Lia loves her car.

Go Blackhawks!

Becca got a Princess Twilight Sparkles from Build-a-bear and loves it!

 The girls each got "An American Girl" doll from Grandma and Grandpa Hatton.  This is the only picture I found but they were both very excited about the dolls.

First we sang to Becca and had her blow out her candles.

Then we switched out he candles and introduced Lia to birthday cake. 

I think she thought we were crazy at first but she loved the singing.

Lia's first bit of cake, very dainty.

Ummm!

 George did a couple of laps around the high school playing "Peek-A-Boo".

Birthday cake it delicious!

It was a fun and joyful day.  Thank you to my parents who made the trip from Iowa and the Showalters who came over to help us eat cake.