Birthday party- this and that

Today we went out to the farm to celebrate Marc and Julia's 13th and 11th birthdays respectively.  We decided not to have a big party this year.  We had a wonderful evening and started out by fishing!

Charlie was the winner- he caught six fish!

This is the biggest brim we've seen in this lake- good job Charliebear!

Marc and Julia caught 4 and 3 respectively. 

Tucker only caught one, but he was thrilled when he did!

Marky is able to take the fish off the hook by himself.  :)

After fishing we cooked out steaks and had a great supper.  Then it was time for birthday cake!  Poppy bought the cake and did a great job.  Tucker saw the pack of 24 candles and said, "Oh!  12 and 12 is 24 so if you move one that makes 13 and 11- we have the perfect number of candles!!!!" 

First we sang to sweet Sissy-

Then we sang to Markyboy!

They got to open their presents from BB and Poppy.  (We will give them their presents from us on their actual birthdays this week) Marc got two nice polo/shorts outfits. 

Julia got two beautiful dresses and leggings. 

Then we went outside to play.  Julia and Tucker rode bikes while Charlie rode the Gator. Then we took a golf cart ride through the neighborhood and talked with the neighbors.  :)

A perfect day at the farm!

-------------------------------------------

In other news.  :)  Big Marc went to Albany, NY, for a case this week.  He saw some beautiful churches- we love to see church architecture and try to find beautiful churches everywhere we go. 


This one is St. Peter's Episcopal- I love the flags and the floor. 

This is St. Mary's-

This is the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception-

What a gorgeous altar!

This stained glass depicts the Last Judgment-

Speaking of church- here are a few Sunday pictures.  We have a new beautiful altar in the church courtyard.  It honors St. Joseph.  Marc was getting dressed to altar serve so he missed the pictures. 

Speaking of the altar, today all the statues and crucifixes were draped as we move deeper into Lent.  It was very somber. 

I have some purple wreaths on the front doors in a nod to Lent and some sweet bird has made her home here in the top of the left wreath. 

We hope she will lay eggs soon. 

We went to the park on Friday afternoon.  Tucker came running by and I noticed his shoes!!!

He said, "Don't worry Mommy- I will dust them off when we get home."  (Note:  Using a stiff dish brush, detergent and hot water Daddy got them perfectly clean!)

Sissy managed to stay clean at the park and even put flowers in her hair. 

Marky was teaching everyone how to row correctly as he was the coxswain. 

Julia and Tucker loved the ferrets at the pet store. 

Marc was teaching the boys how to use Tucker's camera.  It touches my heart to see them working together.