Summer's Here

We have disappeared into the blogosphere lately! May was super busy around here and we are thrilled to be full steam into summer! Here are some of the highlights of May:

• Traveled to St. Louis to Shriner's Hospital for Children. Met a wonderful doctor who is going to do some amazing surgeries on Maeve's hands and feet in the Fall.
• Cian graduated from Kindergarten--so fun!
• Aidan finished up 2nd grade
• Fintan finished pre-school and moves onto Pre-K
• Opened the lake house and Cian catches the first fish of the season!
• Celebrated another year in my life :)
• Welcomed three new cousins into our family (Ainsley, Janie and Josie)!!!
• Had a wonderfully relaxing Memorial Day at the lake
• Had a great visit from Grandma and Grandpa
• First day at the pool!!

I'm sure there are some other things too. We are now fully into summer with later bedtimes and sun kissed skin. Aidan and Cian start swim team next week and Fintan start swim lessons too. We are looking forward to our trips to Hilton Head and Dallas this summer. Lots of fun to be had! I love summer!!!

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Maeve, Cian, Madeline (cousin) and Aidan getting ready for birthday cupcakes (Caitlin's birthday).
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Maeve enjoying breakfast at the Embassy Suites (our favorite hotel) in St. Louis before her Shriner's appt.
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Fintan not-so-much-enjoying breakfast.
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Cian with his prized first catch of the season!
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Cian and his uber-excellent Kindergarten teacher.
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Miss Maeve

First Communion

Aidan received his first communion today and we all celebrated with him. It was a wonderful day! I can't believe how old he is getting and it seems like yesterday we were picking out his name. I guess we will be saying that more and more as he (and all the kids) continues to reach milestones in life! The mass was very nice and very crowded. We had a dinner at our house after mass. It was a really great day.
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Easter pics

We had perfect weather for Easter and really had a terrific day. The kids enjoyed three egg hunts and received way too much candy. Everyone was happy with the Easter Bunny and his gifts. We had a delicious brunch at our neighbor's house (thanks Hair's!) and then spent the afternoon with my parents.
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Maeve all dressed up!
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Seriously it is getting difficult to get a decent picture of the kids together. Fintan is a major wiggle worm and I think a sugar high had already kicked in a this point!
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After nearly a year of asking, the Easter Bunny finally delivered Cian our newest family member, "Fluffy." Cian was thrilled and is loving his guinea pig. I have always wanted a rodent in the house :)
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I love this picture so I had to add it. Fintan's hair is just funny at times. This was pre-egg hunt #1 and he couldn't wait to get outside. Fintan woke up at 6:20 in the morning and was already looking outside to spot all the eggs. Thankfully the Easter Bunny was up at 6:12 and was able to hide them all just in time!

Violins

Aidan and Cian started violin lessons in January. It was really more of my desire than theirs, but thankfully they like it. I really wanted the kids to have some sort of music lessons, but after looking at pianos for 2 years we just never have gotten around to getting one. Starting violin was pretty easy and they are small. Aidan is doing really well and improving every week. Cian struggles a little, but is learning. After 3 months I would not start Cian this young if I had to do it over again. Aidan was plenty ready, but I think being able to read is helpful before starting. If Fintan is interested I think we will wait until 1st grade.
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A little Green amid the Grey!

Just when we got a taste of Spring, we get hit with another 7.5 inches of snow. Yuck! I think we are all suffering from SAD this year! Susie is working this weekend so the kids and I got a week long pass to an indoor pool/community center. I can't stand being stuck in the house for another weekend! Hopefully this is the last of old man Winter!!

We had another great St. Patty's day this year. Our party was almost ruined by cold weather and rain, but the Irish spirit can't be broken. We had a great turn out and some great fun! By the end of the day our house was covered in mud and so were our kids, but we had a blast and can't wait for next year!!
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Last year Maeve landed in the US the night before our St. Pat's parade party. It all seems like a blur now. This year we were all able to enjoy ourselves much more!
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All the grand kids and Mimi and Papa. My parents are doing great! My dad has recovered from his surgery and is nearly perfect. My mom had her BIG surgery this past week. She is such a champion! One day later she was home and feeling great. She had such a long past 3 months of chemo so it was great to see her rebound so quickly from surgery. She still has a long road to go, but all the prayers are working!!

George Washington

Aidan had a recent project at school to give a report on a famous American. He chose George Washington. He also had to decorate a plastic pop bottle as George. We had a great time with this project and even Grandma Jane got involved. It turned out well and Aidan's report was great. All the kids did well and it was fun to watch.
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Happy 1st Gotcha Day!!!

What a difference a year makes!! We are so thrilled to be celebrating Maeve's one year anniversary with our family. We feel like she has been here forever. I guess that is why they call it "forever family." Maeve has come so far in the past year. It is hard to believe that she is the same girl in this first picture!! She was so scared and so shut down. It has been a long, exhausting, wonderful, emotional and amazing year! Thank goodness we don't have to relive it!
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. Maeve...not so happy about meeting Mommy and Daddy :(

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One year later and all smiles, surrounded by her adoring fans.
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Blowing out her candles.



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Don't ask me why this picture looks like it was taken in 1972. (not a camera expert here)
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This is the happy girl we see everyday. Maeve- We are so thrilled to be your parents and have you in our lives!!