Days of Summer are here

Just thought we would drop a little note with some recent pictures of the kids.

Just enjoyed a very nice visit from Anna and God daughter Katie.

Update on the missions and our sick household

A very tired sick girl after a long weekend.

Mission travels aren't all about prayer!

A sick Joseph asked if Jesus needed a "Tankerchief"

Why is reverance such a difficult virtue to grasp?

San Rafael Mission

Getting ready for the trek

Saturday Mt. Diablo drive, very cold!

But very pretty! This overlooks Danville.

Well since we told you all about our California Mission pilgrimage – visiting all the missions in California this year, we wanted to give you a little update.
We have visited:
San Jose Mission
Santa Clara Mission
San Juan Bautista Mission
Carmel Mission
San Rafael Mission

Ok we have visited a few more missions than these in our life, but since we began our little pilgrimage this year of seeing then all in 2009, this is what we have managed.

The kids love it.

This last few day’s all three have been so ill, Therese with constant fever and croup cough, the boys with cough and mild fevers. Lots of nose unpleasantries as well!
We decided to do some driving this weekend to distract the sickies since all we can do is stay at home and whineL Saturday we took a drive up Mt Diablo, a cold freezing outing, but we managed a fire and hot dogs, here are a few pic’s from that day.

Today when we woke up and got ready for Mass, Joseph pleaded, “please not the Mass, the Mission” We thought it kind of funny since there is also Mass at the mission, but we thought we would be spontaneous and try to see one of the most northern missions since it would make a good drive for sick kids. We aimed for a 10:30 Mass at San Rafael. It was so beautiful inside the church, although the ground really had nothing to view but a gift shop.

The kids were very well behaved for having been sick. Except for Therese who was burning up and all I could do was nurse her and hold her. We prayed there for a little healing, how appropriate since the Mission was really started not as a mission but as an infirmary to aid the sick neophytes who were ill at eth San Francisco mission. After so many wished to receive instruction of the faith at the infirmary it was raised to Mission status. It was the 2nd to last mission founded. The Mission was named after San Rafael the archangel, as he brought Gods healing many in the Old Testament.

We thought from San Rafael the ocean wasn’t far, we were wrong, PT Reyes was over an hour, and when we got there it had no parking and there were vicious winds so that we couldn’t get out of the car. By now we had strayed 3 hours from home! NUTS!

Well we are home now, that’s all that matters.

We enjoyed a yummy BBQ in the freezing cold California air!

San Francisco

Well our last one day trip to San Francisco was over a month ago with our neice and her dear friend. It was memorable and we got a few nice shots of the kids from their favorite window of the Hyatt hotel looking down on the Embarcadero. We should be back there in a week with Auntie Anna (Eileen's close friend since 4th grade) and Eileen's dear God-daughter Katie who will be visiting from Canada for a few days.

Our oldest is 5!

Birthday boy Joseph Anthony turns 5 today. We are so proud of him. His milestones continue to impress us and the depth and beauty of his little heart never cease to engage us. His star quality is compassion. Sounds funny but he reminds me of my little poodle I once owned, now deceased. My little poodle would see me cry and literally start to cry and pout too! This is little Joseph for you.

We were mightily blessed on Sunday when we threw our big boy his first ever party! We have decided due to our number of kids, which may increase to quite a big number over the years, its probably not so realistic to make each year a big bang for each child. So we are holding the bigger "friends" parties for the 5 year milestones. We still do every year a cake and a gift and a nice meal at home with maybe 1 or 2 guests, usually an aunt of uncle, but we really feel this is best for our family to limit the big celebrating. We are all for parties, but we know there are more than one way to make your child know they are special and unique.

I think our limiting to this 5 year mark probably attributed to how special Sunday was for us and Joseph. Seeing the people we cherish most in the bay area come together for food, and good clean fun was just so wonderful. It was simple, out in nature and potluck style. Just the way we like it, a mix of our favotite things. It was hard on my non existant humility at first. I was late to the site and my husband who had all the preparatoy decor for the party was even later. We had a little snag at Safeway getting our cake and coffee. Driving over the park I just had a bad feeling the BBQ pit which we paid for might not be open as it was supposed to be. Sure enough my fear came true. Yet what began as a worry for me ended up becoming a blessing.

It gave the men gathered at the party a united cause, "fix the problem." You know what I'm talking about. Rolling up sleeves shoulder to shoulder work, "you don't know me, I dont know you and if we had to stand around driking spritzer and mingle we probably woudn't talk, but hey, there is a problem, let's become chums and fix it together!"

My husband was so happy to see the many men there and the teamwork that developed. After and hour and a half into making a makeshift BBQ pit, the rangers arrived to unlock the box and we all ate happily ever after.

A big thank you to all our dear friends who took the time to celebrate Joseph's 5th and to show us your support. We love you!