The Year's End

With a couple of months of lingering sickness under our belts here, it has been difficult getting motivated to blog. Starting with the boys' bronchitis in October, followed by Oona's and my 6-week-long cold, and now Tim's walking-pneumonia, we've been dragging a bit. And on top of it all, as most of you already know, this summertime girl strongly prefers much warmer weather days.

Okay, well enough complaining- it is almost the new year! And, I've got so much to be thankful for and look forward to: A year with a toddler that is no longer a baby; a little person with a BIG personality! She understands almost everything we say and "signs" about a dozen words, laughs as she shakes her head "no," and plays imaginary drums whenever she hears a good beat. Then there are my two amazing, interesting, intelligent, and loving sons that are growing like weeds before my very eyes! I think Noah might pass me in height in the next couple years- crazy! They've both become really interested in typing creative stories on the computer, and drawing super detailed pictures. I'll try to get some up on their blogs soon. And how can I forget to mention Tim; our wonderful provider, loving Daddy, and my best friend. I'm looking forward to a new year where we can start sneaking in some date nights again.

I thought I throw in some Christmas pictures from our busy and fun-filled holiday.

Santa came a day early to our house. IPods were the big gift we gave the boys this year... let's hope they'll take good care of them!

On Christmas Eve morning, we headed down to Nonnie and Papa's for presents and good eats! Here's Oona sporting her first bow that stayed in for more than 10 minutes :)

Santa made a surprise visit! It seems one of their gifts had fallen out in his sleigh so he delivered it in person- The boys couldn't believe it!

Oona was a bit shy with the loud, bearded man drinking Grey Goose.

On Christmas morning, we headed back up to Nana and Da's house for more presents and a delicious meal.

Cousin Aodhan (who I got on video but not in a photo!) and his mommy and daddy gave Oona an American girl Bity-Baby. She loves how the eyes open and close.

And, more presents from Nana and Da!

Hope your Christmas was wonderful and here's to a happy, healthy new year! xo

Christmas Pageant

The night before Christmas Eve, the boys' school held their annual Christmas Pageant. Besides singing Christmas songs with their class, both boys had additional parts. In front of a jam-packed church, Noah and Ezra each performed beautifully. Noah had a speaking part, in which he narrated part of the Nativity- looking not a bit nervous and speaking so clearly. Tim and I were impressed! Ezra got the role of Joseph which he was SO excited about! I couldn't believe he got an acting role- I knew he wanted it so badly. He melted my heart. He took it so seriously and stayed in character the whole time- he even had to hold Mary's hand for a while :) Unfortunately, our video camera was not fully charged, but here's a cute clip of Ezra getting ready before the battery died:

Untitled from Tania Walsh on Vimeo.

New Bloggers

Noah and Ezra have new websites to show off their art!

Gingerbread People

My Girl

I took Oona to get her one year portrait taken. The photographer captured this one when I jumped in to help change her position. I'm so glad she did.

Holiday Happenings

Seems like we got into the Christmas spirit pretty early around here. Thanksgiving weekend, we picked out our balsam fir Christmas tree. The boys did a nice job decorating it. Oona sits by it each day making kissing sounds and waving at an Elmo ornament placed at her eye-level.

Last Friday night, Tim came home a little early so we could go to our town's holiday Zoo Lights. We got there 15 minutes before it opened and beat the large crowd that followed. The boys even got to ride the carousel alone.

First snow!

Creative space

Afternoon pick me up

New shoes

Thank you Bazan's!

Under the Weather

It has been a tiring 3 weeks here, where one, some or all the Walsh kids have been sick at some point. Noah's already missed several days of school this year. Tomorrow, I am taking him in to see the doctor (for a 3rd time) about an on-going cough and achy chest- wondering if it is viral pneumonia? Tonight, Ezra's cough seems worse too. All this makes me want to delay weaning Oona, as I feel the nursing is one of the only protections I can give her during this germ-y time. Praying everyone's on the mend soon.

Early morning walk

Happy 7th Birthday Ezra!

It was Ezra's birthday weekend! Instead of a friend party, Ezra decided he would like to pick out his own gift at the mall, followed by lunch at a restaurant of his choice (Rain Forest Cafe). After walking around the stores for a while, he settled on a really neat gift: a Frog-o-sphere! It is an ecosystem with 2 swimming frogs, a snail that cleans up their poop, and bamboo and rocks. The frogs only need to be fed twice a week. And, the best part is that the tank only needs to be cleaned twice a year!
Today, we had the family over for pizza and some really neat cupcakes that Ez asked Nana to make. There were brownie ones baked in ice cream cones and lemon poppy butterflies- very yummy!
Ezra asked me to include this photo of him in his new Star Wars "snuggie" and stuffed yoda from Nana and Da. He is wearing it in bed as I type.

We love you so much, Ezra! I can't believe you are 7! You'll always be my snuggly, sweet, and sensitive guy.

Back Ache

We are lucky to have a rather large back yard. But with it, comes lots and lots of raking. Today, alone, we raked up over 55 bags and are not even done yet!

Halloween Weekend

Let's just start of with this one of Oona reminding everyone that, now that she is one, she is "sooo big!"

Our Halloween festivities began on Thursday night with a visit from our good friend, Auntie Cindy. She ever so patiently helped the boys design and carve their pumpkins. While she did that, I searched the internet for a salty/sweet toasted pumpkin seed recipe which the troops decided came out pretty yummy.

Early on Saturday, Nonnie and Papa and Gram drove up so we could celebrated Nonnie's Halloween birthday with a nice family lunch of calzones, salad and cake.

Nana was so kind to order the kids the costumes they excitedly picked out from a catalog. I must admit, to the boys' delight, their costumes scared me a bit! Check out the "Future trooper" and the "SWAT team officer." Holy cow! At least I have my furry rabbit :)

The neighborhood gang got together right before the sun went down and couldn't wait to begin trick or treating.

Nana and Da came over to see the kids all dressed up and get some cuddles in with Oona who actually kept her ears on the whole time!

Oona "helped" me hand out candy- which actually meant took each piece and threw it out of the bowl onto the floor.

"Thunder-Man," (aka, Noah Brown) joined us this evening dressed as the super hero that he invented and in his cape handmade by his very creative Dad (and a bit of help by Mom).

Monster eye balls

Marshmallows- craisins- red icing

12 month check up

Oona was quickly out cold after getting a bunch of shots at her one
year well-visit. She is weighing in these days at 19 pounds
(18th percentile) and 29 inches long (50th percentile)- long and
lean. Does Nils beat her, Ann?

Oona's Big Day!

Happy first birthday to Oona! Wow, what a milestone this day felt like for all of us!

We love you, Oona, so much and are ever grateful for all the love and laughter you bring to our family.

Here's a bunch of snap shots of the celebration:

A home-made banner from Mommy:

Some polka dotted cup cakes:

In her birthday dress from Auntie Erin and her new See Kai Run red mary janes from Nonnie:

Noah and Ezra were just as excited for her special day xo:

Waiting for her guests to arrive!

Here they are (not all are pictured):

Ezra was holding one more candle for good luck:

She liked it!

Sharing with Mommy and Daddy:



Here's her new kitchen from Nonnie and Papa! Nana and Da got her a shopping cart and lots of wooden food to go with it :)

Thanks so much to everyone who helped to make this a birthday to remember xoxo