Two Cardinals and a Rally Squirrel

We are ready for the baseball game tonight!

We just came home from church, one of Noella's favorite weekly activities.  Several times a week she asks if it is church day, and she is always excited when that actually comes.  She loves singing and the sharing peace.  I think she also knows that she is incredibly cute and enjoys the attention from other parishoners as she kneels and politely folds her hands in prayer.  Her favorite song these days is something she calls "Lu La Pre Sa."  It took me a little while to figure this out, but it is her version of "Alleluia, Praise the Lord," which Mariel has taught her from the Children's Liturgy. 

Today, the congregation was schedule to hear the choir sang a new song for us- many responsorial psalms and such will be changing soon due to a new translation from Rome.  The church all sat quietly listening, with the exception of one small 2 year old, belting out her own version of "GOD GOD LULA."  She keeps us smiling!

Holden at 5 months

Here are my attempts to get a picture of Holden with Puffalump for his monthly shot.  He is a baby on the move, so Puff suffered quite a bit during this photo shoot.  You can see we have quite a happy, pudgy baby on our hands.  He is starting to roll and scooch himself all over, too- very fun, unless you are trying to take a picture!

Some scenes from the past week:

We went "camping" (we stayed in cabins) at Meramec State Park last weekend.  It was a gorgeous weekend, with lots of friends, beautiful weather, and the chance to hike, fish, and play. 

 Mariel got to bring her class mascot, Truman, along.  He is also the official mascot of our state university, known around here as Mizzou (which at least helps to explain the football uniform).  Each night he gets sent home with a student and the family gets to document Truman's adventures.  He kept up well and had fun with all of the crafts!

 Holden took it all in a stride.  He had fun being spoiled by assorted friends, and Patrick and I enjoyed being spoiled by not having to hold him all of the time!

The activities for the weekend included Beatrice's fifth birthday, complete with a pinata and a borrowed bounce house.  Linda organized a relay race for the families with little kids (three families), and we all got our own team colors.  Here is Noella with her bandana, Truman, and medal around her neck.   

 In other news, we have started to give Holden a few tastes of cereal.  He is in the grabby phase, trying to snatch everything off of the table, plates, and out of our hands.  He is a bit uncertain about actually swallowing the cereal, but seems to be interested in the idea of it. 

 And, since today starts the next round of baseball, here is an obligatory post-season father and son photo op.  Go Cards!

Just call her "Cakes"...

We have been having fun with nicknames lately, with the girls getting to decide what nickname they would like for the day.  Holden, of course, is sort of stuck with "Cutie Pie."  Noella has a strong preference for "Buddy."  Mariel likes a bit of variety, but has tended towards "Baby cakes," which her Babci calls her.  She has decided that "Baby cakes" is a bit too juvenille for a girl of her stature (in elementary school and all) so has asked us to shorten it.  So some days she now goes by "Cakes."

Scenes from apple picking last weekend: