tricky treat

Happy Halloween!

Our little lion Leo!

We went to eat at Applebee's in the mall and Joseph spotted this Lion King poster, so of course we had to sit at this table!

In addition to trick-or-treating at the mall stores, Joseph got to ride the carousel for the first time.

After a few stores, and plenty of Tootsie Rolls, we stopped to play in the kids area.

ghost cookies

Joseph and I made these semi-addictive treats this afternoon with Nutter Butters, almond bark and mini M&Ms. Yumm!

procession

The Newman Center held its 3rd annual Eucharistic procession through campus this evening. Jude has gone in the past but this was my first opportunity to be part of the event. In the dark and still of the night, the candles and voices raised in song and prayer were a beautiful witness to Christ the King. Here is a video from the first procession:

spiderman

good smiles

our pride

cute costumes

Our parish mom's group had a Halloween party today-the kids were even more adorable than usual!

orange moon

Joseph loves reading "moon books" and searching the sky for "half a moon" or a "crescent moon" or "orange moon." If it is cloudy and he cannot see the moon, it is hiding!

memory lane

This evening our Bible study had a social get-together where everyone brought their wedding albums. Many of the other ladies are friends from college, so I attended their weddings. It was such fun re-visiting old times and thinking about God's work in our lives...it is wonderful to be able to share my journey of faith and life with them. I am so greatful for the friendship and inspiration of these women!

on the road again

We headed back home today, finishing our book-on-tape, Prince Caspian. We filled up with low priced gas in Oklahoma (something for Husker fans to look forward to as they road trip next weekend).

Both boys both traveled very well, which is amazing because Leo usually screams his head off even during a quick drive across town. Joseph had a great sense of humor and was even playing hide and seek in the car!

more pumpkins

We spent the afternoon with Tracia and Billy at the Dallas Arboretum's Great Pumpkin Festival.

Everyone had a great time, especially Joseph! There was a petting zoo, prairie village with sod house and log cabin, even a house made out of pumpkins!

cowtown part 1

Jude had a lunch meeting with a donor, so the boys and I headed to the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame in the Stockyards of Ft. Worth. The museum has a variety of displays, showcasing both the historic Chisholm Trail cowboys and modern rodeo riders.

This elaborately tooled suitcase was a prize from the 1955 rodeo in Burwell, Nebraska:

There were also a wide variety of stagecoaches and wagons on display:

cowtown part 2

After we finished touring the museum, Joseph wanted to see cows. I asked at the ticket counter and they sent us to the corrals, which were empty. Where were all the longhorn? We wandered around the stockyards a bit and found out that, although we had missed the normal running of the herd at 11:30, they were having a special parade that would be starting any minute. It was all part of the Red Steagall Cowboy Gathering.
Here are the much anticipated and searched for cattle:

The horns were "THIS BIG!" according to Joseph (who is wearing his Texans t-shirt for the occasion).

There were also several chuck wagons. One of the gathering's activities was a cooking contest, in which all the supplies had to be brought in like this:

we're here!

After a few more hours on the road we arrived in Dallas and stopped for lunch. Since Joseph had napped in the car we found a park for him to run around in, complete with sculptural hippos in the lake! While Jude was in a meeting we visited a small art gallery in the park that was hosting a wildlife art exhibit. Joseph loved seeing all the exotic animals, naming and counting many of them.

providence

We are on our way to Texas and stopped to visit a Newman Center donor in Kingfisher, Oklahoma. The man Jude intended to see had an unexpected conflict; however Jude felt it providential that we had taken the detour off the interstate. We decided to find the Catholic church and make a visit. Using our proven Totus Tuus technique of looking for the highest steeple, we quickly found the church of Sts. Peter and Paul. Although the building was locked, we stopped by the parish offices and were let in. The church was beautiful and we were excited to discover relics of both Peter and Paul, especially in this year of St. Paul. Our current bible study is focused on his writing too! We lifted up our family and friends in prayer so that you may share in the graces of this unexpected pilgrimage!

a clue

Joseph is a fan of Blue's Clues. After being given the choice of washing his hands at the kitchen sink or in the bathroom, Joseph observed, “One sink, two sinks. Put it in my notebook,” as he signed notebook (an arched hand writing on a flat hand). At dinner he discovered a new clue “Green beans!”

buffalo boy

-This buffalo.
-Yes, Joseph.
-I like this buffalo (pointing to a picture).
-Oh really?
-Yes...I dream about it.

blessed

The parents of St. Thérèse, Louis and Zélie Martin are elevated from venerable to blessed today. The event coincides with World Mission Sunday, as their daughter is patroness of missions. Here is a prayer invoking their intercession...

God Our Father, we praise You for Louis and Zélie Martin, a truly faithful husband and wife, who lived their Christian life in an exemplary way through their duties in life and practice of Gospel teaching. In bringing up a large family, in spite of trials, bereavements and suffering, they showed immense trust in You and obedience to Your will.

Lord deign to manifest Your will in their regard and grant me the favours I implore while praying that the father and mother of Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus be presented as models of family life today. Amen.

daddy's lil' pumpkin

on the farm

Pickin' pumpkins! The cows were a bonus treat :)

cracked

Today we were looking at a book with various patriotic songs. One page had a picture of the Liberty Bell and Joseph insisted that since it was broken (cracked) it needed tape!

That evening he was excited to realize his pajama shirt (a tourist souvenir from Philadelphia) had the same bell!

two lions

The boys and I went to a consignment sale in search of a bear costume for Joseph. We found a Pooh outfit, but Joseph spotted a Simba costume and decided that would be his costume instead. There was a furry generic lion that he hugged too, but Simba was the decided choice. Now we will have two lions for Halloween!

stork bites

Leo had his two month check-up today. We found out that what I thought was a rash on the back of his neck is actually a birth mark called stork bites! He is growing like crazy, weighing in at 14.9 lbs. (97%) and stretching 24" (90%). He is just a foot shorter than Joseph (and looking more like him everyday)!

grand opening

The much anticipated date has arrived. “New Hy-Vee” opened at 50th & O. We still do not quite understand the allure, but Joseph got to wear his nametag from Aunt Nicole and his “zookeeper Mack pants” (green corduroys similar to what the Little People character wears) for the inaugural shopping trip. It was a good day!

tagged

by my friend Renee...

10 years ago I was:
1. Student teaching
2. Working for the Parks and Rec department
3. Discerning my vocation
4. Living with my friend Theresa
5. Driving a teal Chevy Corsica

5 things on today’s to-do list:
1. Laundry
2. Toddler time at the library
3. Target for BPA free bottles
4. Dinner with my parents
5. Bible study

5 snacks I enjoy:
1. Chocolate
2. Yogurt
3. Trail Mix
4. Cheese
5. Mixed fruit bits

5 things I would do if I were a millionaire:
1. Travel
2. Create an endowment fund for the Newman Center
3. Finance the education of our children
4. Build a house on an acreage near town
5. Celebrate! I love hosting social events, but it is a bit crowded in our current home :)

5 places I have lived:
1. Lincoln, Nebraska
2. Besançon, France
3. Lisieux, France
4. San Fransisco, California
5. Guanajuato, Mexico

5 jobs I have had:
1. Babysitter
2. Target Guest Ambassador (ie Greeter)
3. Parks and Rec staff
4. French and Spanish teacher
5. Mom (I am even getting business card c/o my sister-in law Nicole!)

You are tagged if you so choose :)

hakuna matata

"Does NOT mean you do not have to brush your teeth!"

Joseph was trying to avoid this bedtime chore by quoting the Lion King.

kick boxing

This morning we were playing on the bed and Leo's foot whacked Joseph in the face. "Leo kick me!" he exclaimed as he stuck his face closer so the jabs of flailing feet could continue. He was so excited for this first bought of brotherly rough housing!

Joseph never retaliated to Leo, but later in the day asked "Kick Daddy?" and using Jude's hands to steady himself, bopped daddy in the shin.

contraception: why not?

Today I met Jude at work and we listened to a lunch hour talk given by Janet Smith to the students at the Newman Center. Her work has been very influential in spreading the truth of Humane Vitae and it was neat to be able to meet her in person!

birth announcement

It's already been two months! Leo gifted us with a 6 hour stretch of sleep to celebrate!

humble pie

or cheesecake as the case may be. I always love hosting my Bible study group and look forward to making a fun treat for the other ladies. I was so excited to make my very first cheesecake (it turned out quite nicely don't you think?) and then I left it on the counter overnight! I took the photo before throwing it out :( Luckily my second try, apple crisp, turned out wonderfully!

stomp

Joseph loves playing in his sandbox. He especially enjoys stomping sandcastles-quickly. It took several shots to get an intact construction, but provided a fun opportunity to experiment with the updated features of Picasa 3 (Google's free photo management software that we love!)

vp nominee

Sarah Palin made a campaign stop in Omaha today!

go big red!

Today we had our first family "portrait" since leaving the hospital! Since it was Homecoming at UNL, the Newman Center sponsored a tailgate party in the Union-complete with a pep band appearance (which Leo slept through!) and an a cappella group diverted from the royalty dinner in the next room. Jude and I went to the game against Missouri. As a non die-hard fan, the last game I went to-almost ten years ago, was part of our Mortar Board gavel exchange with the Missouri chapter. The game was on their home field and with better results than this evening's blowout. We were among the few who stayed to the end of the game and enjoyed the last-minute touchdown!