Patrick and Owen's preschool commencement activities.

Owen and Patrick both finished up pre-school for the year with commencement ceremonies.

Owen's class had a very casual ceremony in the afternoon, with a class full of very tired preschoolers. But Owen was a handsome graduate nonetheless. :-)

From Preschool Com...

Patrick's class had theirs a couple days later, with a bit more "Pomp and Circumstance" for the future Kindergarteners.

From Preschool Com...

Click either picture to see the rest of the album.

Posing with Little sis'

Patrick cuddles in close with Kate...


And Owen is just as sweet...

Mommy's little gardeners...

Patrick and Owen, with a *little* help from their Grandma, worked hard at planting flowers for Mom, which was what she wanted for Mother's day. (Blame dad I guess for the flowers not getting in the ground 'til after Mother's day!)



Patrick digs in...


...while Owen shovels away as well.


Daddy got to finish up the big flowers later on, with creative input from the boys. Happy Mother's Day!

That old familiar feeling...

My grandma stopped by for a visit with my Aunt Madelon. They were (of course) both quite impressed at sweet little Kate. Grandma was so happy to meet the newest member of the clan, and held her for a good spell. She said it felt familiar, especially holding a baby girl. :-)

Kate opened her eyes to check out who had come by to visit.


Aunt Madelon got in on the baby action too, and Kate stayed awake for her too.

Hey I've Got an Idea!!!

"Hey Jake. Everybody's distracted by baby Kate. I know what we can do...."

Owen and Jake show off their new "Tattoo's". Nothing like a Spider Man sticker book and some alone time away from prying eyes to come up with a stellar idea from two youngsters who are Trouble Inc.

We're Home!

Home with Kathryn

We're so relieved to be home with our precious baby. Picasa site has a few more pictures at home. Bri and Diane made a great welcoming committee, and we're slowly getting settled in.

Kate's Web Nursery Photos

Kate's Web Nursery page is up now with her first "formal" photos from the hospital. Feel free to check it out and sign her message book if you like.

Baby's 3rd day

Kathryn is still doing great. Mommy and Daddy are starting to remember that good old baby-exhaustion, but wouldn't trade it for the world. Mommy is actually starting to feel human again, and she and Kate both got a little gussied up for some quality time. Enjoy the pictures!

Mom gets a sweet little smile from her baby.


Cuddle time...



More pictures on Picasa....

From 3 Days Old

What a wonderful May Day and a sweet little angel...

OK, I'll admit it. I'm in real trouble. The boys are great. I get them. They do boy things that make me laugh so hard, especially when their mom just shakes her head and doesn't know what to make of them. But this whole baby girl thing is a new world for me. And I love it already. And I'm in way over my head. :-)

So, here is a link to my Picasa Web Album. 28+ hours in the life of Baby Kate. She's doing great so far. She came into the world with a hearty cry, something her mom and I had never heard before. Who knew crying could be such a wonderful sound. And even more amazing, we got to hold her, and keep her with us for nearly 30 minutes, again something we never did with the boys.

Off she went to the nursery for a couple hours to get her blood sugars squared away, but within a couple hours, she was ours and we had her in our room with us. Well OK, with us and more than half a dozen family members jockeying for 'baby-time'. Who can blame them with a precious little girl like this.

So without any further blathering from me, here's the link to my Picasa Album. Well, OK, I admit, I blather on and on with every picture....but can you blame a proud papa?

Kathryn Claire

Kate's 1st dress...

Before Kate was born, Mom took patrick shopping one day. Patrick found a pretty green dress and told mom she had to buy it so Kate would have something pretty to wear.

What better way to have your 1st formal pics taken than in the nice outfit selected by a very thoughtful big brother. :)

Little bro becomes a big bro!

Bri sent me the attached camera phone pic of Owie lovin on his new baby sister. Both boys were thrilled, and even held her. In fact neither one wanted to stop holding her!

A few pics after baby's 1st bath

A couple more pictures, including her beautiful eyes. Having some tech issues (read: I brought the wrong cord for the SLR) so I'm not able to upload the really good shots just yet. But we're enjoying every second with our new angel.

Angels from heaven

Here's another picture of Kate. Born at 12:08pm, May 1st, 19 inches long. Mom and baby are both doing great so far.

Welcome Baby Kathryn!

Kathryn Claire was born just after noon today. She weighs 6lbs 3ozs and is perfect as you can see. More to come later.