Another long, interesting, wonderful week!

Some weeks get so full so quickly that I can't find the time to write here. Other weeks I sit down and realize that there is not a whole lot to write about. Our family is sad right now as my uncle spends his last days with his family after a long battle with cancer. Uncle John is my mother's brother and the thought of losing a brother, no matter how long they lived is devastating to me. Our comfort, as always is that soon he will be wrapped in the warm embrace of God's loving arms and he will be home with his parents and his brother. We are sending all of our love and prayers to Uncle John's wife, Carlene and his sons. I love my girl's fashion choices! We found these cool converse sneakers at Old Navy and she fell in love! How could I refuse the sale price of $5.00?Molly's interesting new shoes! She loves anything pink and sparkly!My girls in their parade!Uncle Ed came to visit last week and had a blast outside with the girls. He and Annie stayed out util dark having a tea party in the little playhouse outside. We had to force them in. I guess Uncle Ed needed a little goddaughter bonding time. The twins giving us puppy dog eyes to come outside. We gave in!Annie making a "salad"!Lizzie - bug - so confident on the stairs now. Annie got this wheelbarrel from Auntie Ann and she plays with it constantly! The problem - we need another one for the twins so they stop trying to take it away!My Beanie Baby looking gorgeous and not sick - finally!Papa showing the girls videos of Katie and Abby!Annie's smile - it melts my heart!I wanted some pictures of the twins so that I could give updates form their doctor appointments. They were very cooperative - other than the whole binky thing!Our little buggy weighed in at a whopping 27 pounds 9 ounces(75%) and 33 inches(100%).

She had a double ear infection (that we knew nothing about!) and a MRSA staph infection in her diaper area. She is on some heavy duty antibiotics and seems to be doing well now! She got her first TB test (thanks to my job) and a lead and homoglobin test - everything was wonderful!

Ellie Bean weighed in at 22 pounds 3 ounces (25%) and 31 inches (80%)

She was very healthy with clear ears and sinuses (she has been plagued with bad sinus infections over the last few months). There is a bit of concern about her high muscle tone and lack of balance right now but we are going to continue with birth to three and make an appointment with an orthopeidic doctor to check on things.

2 happy, healthy, beautiful twins!

I love my piggy toes!Lizzie got whatever Ellie had at the end of last week and was drooly and miserable! Sports day at school - my little UCONN fans!Daddy and his boy playing HORSE. Guess who won?? Saturday was Bob's birthday so I dressed the little girls in their "I love my dad" shirts. they looked adorable and were ready and waiting when KK showed up to babysit so that I could take Bob out for his birthday! Everyone things Annie and Lizzie look like twins! Bubble girl!Ellie - trying to get in on the bubble game. It was finally hot enough for the sprinkler - the big kids had a blast!Ellie wasn't so sure about the sprinkler!Ellie got used to the water and started runing through the sprinkler. Molly and her Daddy Our little Ladybug - too cute!

KK was sweet enough to babysit so that Bob and I could go to Worcester and have dinner with our closest friends, Randi and Chris. We met at O'Connor's in West Boylston and had great conversation, great food and suddenly we looked at the clock and it was 10 pm. We didn't get home until after 11:30 but KK was wonderful and had everyone in bed - happy and feeling safe and sound with their Auntie! Bob had a wonderful day - he got phone calls from people wishing him a Happy Birthday all day and a bunch of my family stopped over to say Hi and see him. The kids and I got him a membership to a gym and promised to get him out of the house three times a week to use it - he deserves a break and this is something that he has been wanting! I am so grateful to have Bob and love any chance we get to celebrate him! GNM - ILY!

Lots of sick babies .........again!

Ellie has spent the week being pretty pathetic thanks to Cocksacki Virus. We ended up at the pediatrician's office on Saturday because she had such a high fever and they found sores on her throat and lots of mouth inflammation. We spent Saturday being low key because it is highly contagious for other children but today I got desperate to get out of the house and made the executive decision to take a family trip to the Forest Park Zoo. If you think about it the zoo is a perfect place to go because no one touches each other or even really breathes on anyone - we took a chance. Unfortunately - Ellie ended up being miserable even with Motrin so we did not stay long! The kids did have a blast while we were there and it was nice to get out of the house and be outside on such a beautiful day!

I love these pictures of Ellie and Peter - Ellie was sick and Peter decided to help take care of her! He was so sweet and she looked so content with him.

Crazy Hair!

Ellie was snuggling with Mommy and Annie wanted a part of it!

The only comfy place we could find for Ellie - in the beanbag - wrapped in her Grammy blankie! It was the only time over the last few weeks she was not crying.

Playing at the park before we went into the zoo!

Lizzie Bug on the slide!

Molly Girl - even the Big sister needs a ride on the slide!

Annie could not wait to get into the zoo and see animals!

My handsome son could not get enough of the spider monkeys!

I LOVE this picture - Peter and Molly both wanted to hold Annie's hand when she first walked into the zoo - they were so excited for her to see everything!

Lizzie was not sure about the goats that came over to her!

Annie and Daddy checking out the piggies!

Lizzie loved the bunnies!

Mommy and Lizzie looking at the bears.

Annie loved the camels.

My girl in the kangeroo habitat.

Lady Bug - she was so good all day!

Of course - now Lizzie and Annie are both feeling gross - we are hoping that it is anything other than what Ellie has because she was one miserable baby!

Molly Girl - balancing on the log.

Annie and her Daddy looking at the jaguar - it was so cool!

Loving the zoo!

Acting like little spider monkeys!

Annie getting some help standing on the rock!

And back to the playscape!

The train ride - the kids loved it and it was the only time Ellie stopped crying!

Lizzie clapping for the train ride!

All in all it was a great day - we came home at 3 and relaxed while the babies took naps. I got all of our summer clothes out and put away with the exception of Annie because she would have woken up. It was very productive! I also updated Auntie Meg's blog!

Hopefully we will have a low key week and everyone will be on the road to recovery very soon! GNM - ILY!