Long Post with Lots of Pictures

These last few weeks have been pretty busy for our family. We had a wonderful Thanksgiving with extended family and then took the kids to a new waterpark that opened in Iowa, near where we were having Thanksgiving. It was nice to just relax and let the kids play. They took full advantage of the park's operating hours. One of their cousins who lives in Iowa met us there, so that gave Hannah someone to play with. The difference in Hannah and Meredith's ages have really started to show lately. They don't have much in common and find any and every reason to fight. Who knows what we will have on our hands when Lake gets old enough to join in. We also had a trip into St. Louis to visit family and friends. It was so nice to get together with everyone and the girls loved seeing their Aunt Jodi. I like where I live, but when I visit St. Louis I realize how much I miss it.

Lake was baptized this past Sunday. It was a really nice service. Our priest was pretty witty. He made the comment that we "didn't have the River Jordan, but we had Lake Jerome". This certainly entertained those who have thought his name was a bit unusual. His godparents are Mike and Amy Bartig, friends of ours from Kirksville. Josh and I thought long and hard about Lake's godparents and really wanted a couple that was strong in their faith and had good family values. The Bartig's certainly fit the bill! Josh's grandma, Lake's great-grandma was able to attend, which was really neat. Josh was really uncomfortable with the christening gown Lake is wearing, but we assured him it was okay. Josh's mom made the outfit for Lake after I couldn't find one here in Kirksville. He looked so cute and innocent in it, which I think Baptism is all about.

Hannah has been preparing for her First Reconcilliation, which she will receive this weekend. She will then start preparing for her First Communion.

Christmas is approaching soon and we are not even close to being ready. The tree is up and Josh made a gingerbread house with the girls. They thought this was really cool. There are a couple of presents wrapped, but that is about it. There are still more presents to be bought and wrapped, cookies to be made and cards to be sent out. Our community has really fallen on hard times and we are making an effort at school to help those who may go without a Christmas and the stories I hear get sadder and sadder. It has really made me reflect on and be thankful for everything that we have. It's hard to go buy things my kids don't even need when there are families who may not have enough food to eat over the holidays.

Fr. Chris baptizing Lake.

Pretty nice looking gingerbread house!

Can you believe Lake is almost four months old?

Meredith loves her little brother. Often too much.

Aunt Jodi and the girls had a great time raking leaves, if that's what you want to call it.