Ok, I promise this is it :) Photos, 1000 words, you fill in the captions :)
Photo by John Paul. Quite the stager. Nativity at Hogwarts.
Showing posts with label daniel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label daniel. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Monday, November 1, 2010
Uncle Daniel Guest Blogs
[Editor's Note: This weekend, the blog author, her husband and cute Luke enjoyed an overnight trip to College Station. While they were living it up, eating bon-bons, rubbing shoulders with other extroverted former yell leaders and humping it (not what you think if you're a non-Aggie), they left the "bigs" in the care of relatives. Uncle Daniel is our guest blogger today. And, now the gene pool connection will become totally apparent. Take it Daniel...]
As an uncle I must live by a set of standards. Call it the Uncle Creed: have fun and parent them just enough to avoid an ER visit. Over the last weekend my wife and I took on a simple task, continue to be parents to our child (encouraged) whilst taking care of two little boys that share a branch in our family tree. It started on Friday night with a simple trade-off of said nephews followed by a trip to Whataburger. (Subsection A, article 2, paragraph 1 of the Uncle Creed requires nephews/nieces to be fed sugar, fatty foods and/or a combination of the both.) Task complete: feed children.
I then took the eldest offspring to a flag football game while Aunt Mandy took our baby and JP to prepare for a night’s slumber. I stood by watching my nephew in sub-freezing temperatures (<70 degrees in TX) as his team stumbled in OT for a tough loss. At least he earned a W in the character building win column. I reminded him the Cowboys have a LOT of character this year. Soon we all nestled fast asleep and the evening faded into morning with a small six-year old voice finally breaking the silence with a tap on my forehead and a question about the Lego Star Wars game being played on my Xbox. (Subsection F, article 1, paragraph 5 of the Uncle Creed requires uncles to have cool toys that parents would otherwise not allow.) After (semi-safely) cramming the two boys, baby and accompanying accoutrement into our not-so-family sized sedan we trekked to the nearest eatery to join the other siblings and g’parents for some much needed coffee and bacon-wrapped breakfast. Five minutes after our arrival we were informed of the following information. 18-wheeler wreck. 20 firetrucks. 3 major Austin roadways shut-down. 0 g’parents. 3 kids. 1 uncle/aunt. The numbers were stacked against us and fuzzier than a 2000 Palm Beach county voting booth.
Our day could NOT go off-track because due to family lineage this was considered failure and would require us to wear a scarlet-colored clock. We HAD to make this work. Eventually our breakfast arrived and I realized that giving a 6-year old carte blanche to order off the menu is ill-advised. Chocolate and pancakes are NEVER a good idea. Neither is syrup. Ever. Malnutrition began to set in with the eldest nephew after eating a meager breakfast of 4 pieces of bacon, toast, eggs, fruit and 5 face-sized pancakes…the virus is called PTHD (pre-teen hunger disorder). That’s when the wheels completely fell off. The adult contingency weakened when the aunt was forced to powder her nose and make a few trips to the car (for what I presume to be a flask), I was promoted to alpha adult status. She came back to a table that would make a busboy shiver. Food covered the floor, juice painted the table in a glossy orange glow and napkins were strewn about the table. As a former food-service member I put our humpty dumpty table back together again and made our way to the front door…victory would be ours. I then saw panic fill my wife’s eyes.
She kept murmuring the word keys?!?! and frantically searched through everything: purse, diaper bag, waitress’ apron, fellow patrons bags, chef’s hats and under her chair (as if the keys had become part of some random door prize and were taped to the bottom of the chair). After being told multiple times it was my fault for losing them I calmly walked to the car and found the aforementioned keys sitting in the passenger’s seat. Relief filled the air and we were publicly allowed to take our signs off that said, “It’s our first day handling more than one kid”. Also left behind…our syrup + orange juice covered dignity.
Lesson learned: The easiest way to get a child’s attention. Sit down and look comfortable.
As an uncle I must live by a set of standards. Call it the Uncle Creed: have fun and parent them just enough to avoid an ER visit. Over the last weekend my wife and I took on a simple task, continue to be parents to our child (encouraged) whilst taking care of two little boys that share a branch in our family tree. It started on Friday night with a simple trade-off of said nephews followed by a trip to Whataburger. (Subsection A, article 2, paragraph 1 of the Uncle Creed requires nephews/nieces to be fed sugar, fatty foods and/or a combination of the both.) Task complete: feed children.
I then took the eldest offspring to a flag football game while Aunt Mandy took our baby and JP to prepare for a night’s slumber. I stood by watching my nephew in sub-freezing temperatures (<70 degrees in TX) as his team stumbled in OT for a tough loss. At least he earned a W in the character building win column. I reminded him the Cowboys have a LOT of character this year. Soon we all nestled fast asleep and the evening faded into morning with a small six-year old voice finally breaking the silence with a tap on my forehead and a question about the Lego Star Wars game being played on my Xbox. (Subsection F, article 1, paragraph 5 of the Uncle Creed requires uncles to have cool toys that parents would otherwise not allow.) After (semi-safely) cramming the two boys, baby and accompanying accoutrement into our not-so-family sized sedan we trekked to the nearest eatery to join the other siblings and g’parents for some much needed coffee and bacon-wrapped breakfast. Five minutes after our arrival we were informed of the following information. 18-wheeler wreck. 20 firetrucks. 3 major Austin roadways shut-down. 0 g’parents. 3 kids. 1 uncle/aunt. The numbers were stacked against us and fuzzier than a 2000 Palm Beach county voting booth.
Our day could NOT go off-track because due to family lineage this was considered failure and would require us to wear a scarlet-colored clock. We HAD to make this work. Eventually our breakfast arrived and I realized that giving a 6-year old carte blanche to order off the menu is ill-advised. Chocolate and pancakes are NEVER a good idea. Neither is syrup. Ever. Malnutrition began to set in with the eldest nephew after eating a meager breakfast of 4 pieces of bacon, toast, eggs, fruit and 5 face-sized pancakes…the virus is called PTHD (pre-teen hunger disorder). That’s when the wheels completely fell off. The adult contingency weakened when the aunt was forced to powder her nose and make a few trips to the car (for what I presume to be a flask), I was promoted to alpha adult status. She came back to a table that would make a busboy shiver. Food covered the floor, juice painted the table in a glossy orange glow and napkins were strewn about the table. As a former food-service member I put our humpty dumpty table back together again and made our way to the front door…victory would be ours. I then saw panic fill my wife’s eyes.
She kept murmuring the word keys?!?! and frantically searched through everything: purse, diaper bag, waitress’ apron, fellow patrons bags, chef’s hats and under her chair (as if the keys had become part of some random door prize and were taped to the bottom of the chair). After being told multiple times it was my fault for losing them I calmly walked to the car and found the aforementioned keys sitting in the passenger’s seat. Relief filled the air and we were publicly allowed to take our signs off that said, “It’s our first day handling more than one kid”. Also left behind…our syrup + orange juice covered dignity.
Lesson learned: The easiest way to get a child’s attention. Sit down and look comfortable.
Friday, July 23, 2010
Happy Birthday Bro!
Today my little brother gets to enjoy his LAST year of his 20s. I promise, D, the 30s are even better. I'm thankful that these last few years have brought us closer - in geography and in our relationship. He's a great brother, with a sweet wife and the cutest stinkin' daughter ever.
Daniel, make it a great year. I hope it's your best yet.
Daniel, make it a great year. I hope it's your best yet.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Our Dad is the Bomb
Yes, indeed, Scott is the bomb around here. Our kids love him (and so do I) to the moon and back. We had an enjoyable day on Sunday. My parents and the aunt, uncle and cute niece came to celebrate over a spectacular lunch. Then, Scott and the two boys enjoyed a rockin' Round Rock Express baseball game in the box!! They even got to run the bases after the game. The boys are still talking about the fun they had. In fact, John Paul said to Scott when they got home, "Dad, I hope you had fun today."
Still can't believe my brother is a dad, Scott and I have five kids and my dad is still tied around my pinky :) Watch out Daniel and Scott - girls are dangerous.
To all the sweet fathers in my family - we love you!
Still can't believe my brother is a dad, Scott and I have five kids and my dad is still tied around my pinky :) Watch out Daniel and Scott - girls are dangerous.
To all the sweet fathers in my family - we love you!
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Ava, Sweet Ava
So, December 6 was a pretty awesome day. Scott and I became an Aunt and Uncle, round 2, and it rocked. We scrambled up to the hospital shortly after her birth, in fact, Aunt Amanda was still in the delivery room nursing Ava for the first time when we arrived!
The kids were ecstatic, we witnessed the first bath and caused all sorts of chaos before coming home. I'm pretty sure our clan was birth control for the entire maternity ward at Seton hospital that evening. Later in the week, Scott, Luke and I ventured up to the hospital to love on Ava a bit more.
Loved. It.
Ooh, la, la. So in love with the outfit she's wearing. When Scott and I were in France this spring, we bought newborn girl and boy outfits for our bambino. It worked out perfecto that we had a boy and my brother had a girl!
The kids were ecstatic, we witnessed the first bath and caused all sorts of chaos before coming home. I'm pretty sure our clan was birth control for the entire maternity ward at Seton hospital that evening. Later in the week, Scott, Luke and I ventured up to the hospital to love on Ava a bit more.
Loved. It.
Ooh, la, la. So in love with the outfit she's wearing. When Scott and I were in France this spring, we bought newborn girl and boy outfits for our bambino. It worked out perfecto that we had a boy and my brother had a girl!
Nana Farnum bought the cutest Christmas outfits and we just had to schedule a photo shoot. Luke cooperated, but Miss Ava was just annoyed she wasn't eating. Can't blame her. It is her number one job.
Tomorrow, I've got a fantabulous top ten. Then, I'll fill you in on the Christmas parties and Jesus' birthday celebration round these parts. What a fantastically fun week. I think it just might've beenp our...Best. Christmas. Ever.
Sunday, December 6, 2009
It's a...GIRL!!!
Yep. My little brother, Daniel, and his wife, Amanda, had a baby girl tonight. (Well, Amanda did all the hard work, Daniel was a great cheerleader.)
Ava Marie (seriously, is that not one of the prettiest names you've ever heard?)
5:38pm
6lbs. 2oz.
17.5in.
Scott went to 9:30 Mass with the kids this morning, while I stayed home with Luke. He didn't see D&A there and none of us had heard from them. So, on my way to 11:30 Mass, I called Daniel and said (with a touch of sarcasm), "So, are you at the hospital?" HAHA. Joke's on me. They had a long night, but Ava arrived safe and healthy this afternoon. I have to say, it's weird being on the other side of childbirth. I was anxious all day waiting for the texts from Daniel. Then, we journeyed up to the hospital tonight and it was just breathtaking. Parenthood suits them well.
After being in the NICU for so long, I've come to appreciate that whole "miraculousness" of childbirth. No doubt in my mind that every birth has a healthy dose of that grace. Praise GOD their's was blissfully normal...as it should be.
Oh, Daniel and Amanda...life will change. And, I know you've heard that like a bazillion times. But it's so darn true. A new chapter. A new life. If I could bundle all the bits of advice people have given us, package it and send it your way, I would. But, that's called life experience and best lived, rather than heard. Just know you have our love, our prayers and our kids' germs. They can't wait to really love on Ava. I'll make sure they're sanitized first :-)
And, because I'm kindof a sap these days...Daniel, I'm quite proud to be your big sister. You and Amanda just looked so happy when I walked in that room tonight. Amanda, so confidently nursing that baby. You, making sure they had everything they needed. It reminded me of how precious and new life is, the first time around. I love that you gave me the best hug ever. I found myself looking forward to Ava and Luke being good buddies. Her, making sure he doesn't fall for a really icky girl. Him, protecting her from all the icky boys. Dadhood is the best and no doubt you will come to cherish Amanda's role in her vocation of motherhood. Watching her care for Ava will most definitely bring tears to your eyes and your prayer life to its knees. Amanda, seeing Daniel dote on a daughter will allow you to appreciate, on a whole other level, the relationship between a father and daughter. (insert squeal of excitement here) I am SO excited for the chapter. It looks like you are, too.
I will post some fantabulous pictures later in the week. Promise. Here's a peek from Amanda.
Ava Marie (seriously, is that not one of the prettiest names you've ever heard?)
5:38pm
6lbs. 2oz.
17.5in.
Scott went to 9:30 Mass with the kids this morning, while I stayed home with Luke. He didn't see D&A there and none of us had heard from them. So, on my way to 11:30 Mass, I called Daniel and said (with a touch of sarcasm), "So, are you at the hospital?" HAHA. Joke's on me. They had a long night, but Ava arrived safe and healthy this afternoon. I have to say, it's weird being on the other side of childbirth. I was anxious all day waiting for the texts from Daniel. Then, we journeyed up to the hospital tonight and it was just breathtaking. Parenthood suits them well.
After being in the NICU for so long, I've come to appreciate that whole "miraculousness" of childbirth. No doubt in my mind that every birth has a healthy dose of that grace. Praise GOD their's was blissfully normal...as it should be.
Oh, Daniel and Amanda...life will change. And, I know you've heard that like a bazillion times. But it's so darn true. A new chapter. A new life. If I could bundle all the bits of advice people have given us, package it and send it your way, I would. But, that's called life experience and best lived, rather than heard. Just know you have our love, our prayers and our kids' germs. They can't wait to really love on Ava. I'll make sure they're sanitized first :-)
And, because I'm kindof a sap these days...Daniel, I'm quite proud to be your big sister. You and Amanda just looked so happy when I walked in that room tonight. Amanda, so confidently nursing that baby. You, making sure they had everything they needed. It reminded me of how precious and new life is, the first time around. I love that you gave me the best hug ever. I found myself looking forward to Ava and Luke being good buddies. Her, making sure he doesn't fall for a really icky girl. Him, protecting her from all the icky boys. Dadhood is the best and no doubt you will come to cherish Amanda's role in her vocation of motherhood. Watching her care for Ava will most definitely bring tears to your eyes and your prayer life to its knees. Amanda, seeing Daniel dote on a daughter will allow you to appreciate, on a whole other level, the relationship between a father and daughter. (insert squeal of excitement here) I am SO excited for the chapter. It looks like you are, too.
I will post some fantabulous pictures later in the week. Promise. Here's a peek from Amanda.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Happy Birthday to my Favorite Brother
Ok, so he's my ONLY brother - bah, details.
D, you are amazing. You're funny. You're sensitive. You're a total goofball. You're an amazingly devout Catholic. I love them all.
If God had given me thousands of brothers in which to choose, you would've been my only pick...without a doubt. It's been a total joy to watch you come into your own these past few years. My "baby" brother is growing up. You got hitched, you bought a house, you're about to be a dad. A dad!
These few measly sentences hardly capture how much I love and respect who you are and who you are becoming.
How lucky am I to be your big sister? I love you more...
Friday, May 29, 2009
Now for some good news
I thought sharing some fun pics from ALG's 4th birthday might brighten the blog this week - and my day :-)Because of the pending move, we weren't sure what state the house (and we!) would be in come Anna-Laura's birthday. This one was all my mom's idea and it was brilliant. Nana, Aunt Amanda, ALG and I met for a morning of shopping and pampering. It was awesome. Clearly, the birthday girl felt treated right.
If you live in Austin, you must visit Polkadots, a cupcake factory. Shannon, thanks for getting us addicted. We wanted to find a cute cake and we stumbled upon this one...I'd go so far to say it's the cutest stinkin' cake I've ever seen. But, then again, you haven't seen what else this bakery can do. Anna-Laura lu-uved it.
This photo just cracks me up. She was waiting at the table, not so patiently, for all of us to gather 'round and start the singing. I mean, cake IS why one has a birthday party, is it not?
My brother, the photojournalist, took most of these. He's our official birthday photographer. Par usual, he's not in any of them. Daniel, at Clare's birthday, I'm taking one of you, deal? And, you get payback when it's your kiddo's turn at the candles!
This photo just cracks me up. She was waiting at the table, not so patiently, for all of us to gather 'round and start the singing. I mean, cake IS why one has a birthday party, is it not?
My brother, the photojournalist, took most of these. He's our official birthday photographer. Par usual, he's not in any of them. Daniel, at Clare's birthday, I'm taking one of you, deal? And, you get payback when it's your kiddo's turn at the candles!
Notice the festive "Merry Christmas" plates? Yes, this is what happens when you spend more time hunting the perfect cake and totally space on the plates and napkins. 4 kids. Pregnancy brain. Whatever.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Hip, Hip Hooray!
Another baby is on the way!!! Clearly, we are not the culprits this time (you've already heard our fantastic news), but another little Farnum IS on the way. My brother, Daniel, and his lovely wife, Amanda, are expecting bambino number one December 13. Can you say excited?!
Their news came a couple of weeks ago and I think my brother's feet finally hit the ground this weekend. He and Amanda have permanent grins on their faces. Love that.
Scott's brother and his wife broke us into being "Aunt Kathryn and Uncle Scott," but this time around it's a little different. It's my little brother who is about to be a dad, okay my younger brother. He is 6' tall.
These two babies Amanda and I are carrying will share a special bond, I hope - being nearly the same age and growing up near one another. I wish I could bottle up all the amazing things that Scott and I have experienced and hand the package with gleeful excitement over to them, but I can't. Some things in life you just have to experience. Parenthood is at the top of that list.
So, to Daniel and Amanda, here's to your great new adventure...the best one you'll ever take.
Their news came a couple of weeks ago and I think my brother's feet finally hit the ground this weekend. He and Amanda have permanent grins on their faces. Love that.
Scott's brother and his wife broke us into being "Aunt Kathryn and Uncle Scott," but this time around it's a little different. It's my little brother who is about to be a dad, okay my younger brother. He is 6' tall.
These two babies Amanda and I are carrying will share a special bond, I hope - being nearly the same age and growing up near one another. I wish I could bottle up all the amazing things that Scott and I have experienced and hand the package with gleeful excitement over to them, but I can't. Some things in life you just have to experience. Parenthood is at the top of that list.
So, to Daniel and Amanda, here's to your great new adventure...the best one you'll ever take.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
First Communion!
Is that the face of a proud little boy, or what? Saturday evening, we journeyed up to the parish for Will's First Communion. Now, as a convert, I had my first communion, along with confirmation, about an hour before my wedding. My fancy white dress with a veil, proud parents and nervous energy were for a totally different sacrament! To be on the other end, the convert Mom whose son was making his First Communion, was a rush of emotions. It's difficult to eloquently express the pride, the love, the joy and the twinge of sadness Scott and I experienced on Saturday. But, I'm gonna give 'er a whirl.
The family arrived early for pictures and a very special Godmom joined the bunch. La, it was an HONOR having you here. Thank you for bringing your sweet spirit and Fr. Kevin's joy along with you. We certainly felt his presence and we are thankful you both are a permanent part of our family. Granny, we hope the day brought back some sweet memories for you as you reflected on Scott's First Communion. Mom and Dad, thank you for being such supportive grandparents, being truly present - physically and spiritually - for all these moments. Cory and Jennifer, we know an illness with Master Alex kept you from being here in person, but we felt the prayers. Daniel and Amanda, you have no idea how happy we were to see both of you there. I know life was meant to take you to Louisiana on Saturday, Aunt Amanda, but having you here meant more than you know. Daniel, thanks for the squeeze when I saw Will step up on that altar...
As happy as these three were to see Will on his big day, I think they might've been more motivated by the promise of cake at the reception if they made good choices. Hey, we're not above bribery.
Will and his buddes, Evan and Connor.
Is it me or do these guys look like they're 80 and discussing last night's game?
So sweet, so innocent and a wee bit mischevious. Love that.
The whole gang.
I know, stop with the cuteness, right?
One very happy second grader.
The tie. Always the tie. Dad had to do some straightening.
I think Dad was a little jealous Clare got the first sip and not him.
Clare was the hug bunny at the party afterwards.
Will, it is my prayer that you will someday know the happiness we experienced on your special day. First Communion is more than the sharp blazer, dashing tie, big smile and praying hands. It's about something much more - the beginning of a beautiful relationship with God. When I joined the Catholic church 13 years ago (wow, has it been that long?), the Eucharist is what drew me to consider the conversion. Experiencing Jesus himself, not merely a symbol, in that bread of life has brought me peace. Peace in knowing that everyday we make mistakes, but there is always forgiveness and always love.
When your Dad and I watched you make those steps confidently up the altar to receive the Eucharist, we were overwhelmed with God's presence. I think I gasped for a breath because it was so beautiful. YOU were beautiful. HE was beautiful. That moment will forever be etched in my mind.
I'm so proud to be your mom.
I'm so proud to be your mom.
Friday, February 6, 2009
The Dark Knight Parties
Yes, TWO weeks ago we celebrated the big day for John Paul. Can you tell I'm behind in the photo department? He started talking about this year's birthday party exactly two days after his birthday last year - no lie. The kid has obsessed about his party. Gee, wonder where he gets that from. Weird.
Anyhoo, the black-caped crusader invaded our house and the kids had a blast. We made bat planes (which I thought they would love because they could decorate them...silly me, these are BOYS, we had planes flying all over the house), played Bat Collector outside and did a little "Riddler" clue game that led us to cake and ice cream sandwiches. John Paul loved being the center of attention and I stood in disbelief that his funny self would be in Kindergarten this fall. Oh, and in case you're wondering, we've already started talking about next year's party...The Joker. We'll see how it all pans out. Mom still has 3 more parties to go before summer!!
As a sidenote, I just have to say, I love birthdays. I've never understood why other people don't feel the same. It's the day you started life people, what's not to celebrate??!! So, without further adieu, proof of the fun...
Getting "happy birthday's" from Uncle Cory & Aunt Jennifer
Oh, and lest you think I skimped on the QOTW this week, here it is:
"Mom, I'm so lucky I get to have TWO parties this year!"John Paul, commenting on how he celebrated at school, on his actual birthday, and on Saturday at the Batman party.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
