Saturday, December 31, 2011

New Year's Eve

For Christmas this year the kids received a train table from 'Santa' and we spent the next few weeks playing with it and them. So it's no wonder that all of New Year's Eve day was spent on the thing. We took a small break as the sun was setting to introduce the boys to sparklers. They had a lot of fun with them just before bedtime. Looking forward to what 2012 has in store, may God continue to bless all of our friends and family as well as this little Gilliland Bunch.
 
Say cheese


Blue eyed boy


Hadrien has the giggles

Like this mom?

Helping Liam

OOOoooooooo!

Thursday, December 29, 2011

My Baby Brother is Married

Hadrien getting ready
My baby brother Jeremiah found his helpmeet in Jaime and they joined in marriage just after Christmas. It was a joyous occasion and two of my four boys were asked to be in the ceremony. My husband as a groomsmen and my Hadrien made the cutest ring bearer. Cousin Stormie was also the flower girl and she did an amazing job. Here are a few pictures from that day and may God Bless their union.
Liam playing "I see you"


Liam being cute.


It's a good thing they're little or they wouldn't fit in my lap.


Liam, Grandma "Grape", Papa Bill, Jess and Simon

Ruthe and I



Waiting for the ceremony to start
Jeremiah walking mom and Jaime's mom to their seats
Groomsmen lining up






Hadrien being bashful
Almost there


Made it!
Here comes the Bride.
  
Stormie the flower girl
Mimi and Hadrien at the reception
So sweet!


Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Liam turns Two/Aquarium Outing

My little Liam turned two today. We celebrated with a few friends and family at home and then took him to the aquarium later in the week. He had a really good week.
Daddy lights the candle with Nino Mike looking on.


Ready...Set...Blow!

Oh boy, presents!


Cake taster...mmm


Licking the candle...mom took it away after he tried eating the candle.


Fish explorer

Pssst...the fish are to your left

I wanna go in there

Monday, December 12, 2011

Simon is Baptized

Simon was baptized on December 11, 2011 at the 5pm Mass.
Our friend and former paster Father Joe made a special trip to Celebrate the Mass and Rite for us. He has baptized all three of our boys.
Simon's godparents are friends from our cohort: Peter and Nanette Auriemma.
It was a beautiful Mass as always and we truly are blessed to have our friends and family with us for this joyful occasion.
 
Andrew served at Mass
 
 













The water was a tad cold and so Simon cried, but only for a minute or two towards the end of the actual baptism.




Hadrien next to his cousin Stormie


Liam sitting with Gaga and Bill


The family after Mass.

Family

The family endures because it offers the truth of mortality and immortality within the same group. The family endures because, better than the commune, kibbutz, or classroom, it seems to individualize and socialize its children, to make us feel at the same time unique and yet joined to all humanity, accepted as is and yet challenged to grow, loved unconditionally and yet propelled by greater expectations. Only in the family can so many extremes be reconciled and synthesized. Only in the family do we have a lifetime in which to do it. -Letty Cottin Pogrebi