Winnie's First Food

We finally let homegirl taste something besides breast milk.  Fourth kid problems, I didn't feel too bad about bypassing the rice cereal and oatmeal and all that jazz - mainly because we have a butt load of applesauce from Sam's Club and if I had to go to the store, it wouldn't happen for another month or so.  She liked it, almost as much as her brothers liked feeding it to her.

Back at it!

Another flight in the books for the Farris family.  This time we flew to NYC and then headed up to Connecticut for my cousin Josh's wedding.  We had a lot of helpers, which was a plus.  We all slept in the same hotel room for 3 nights, which was not a plus.

We are coming for you, NYC! Yeehawww!

 

First things first, getting the van rental.  It was not at the airport.  This pretty much sealed the deal that we would not be joining everyone when they ventured into NYC for the day.  :)

We checked into the hotel and walked across the street for some late night easy dinner.  BFF, sharing a milk shake, and looking all cute, and being all loud.

Spotted Josh the morning of his big day! 'We gonna get Josh married!' as Theo would say.

Hit up the Norwalk kids museum to kill some time before the wedding.  It was really cool for all ages.  Theo, getting his picture taken for the Norwalk newspaper.  Everywhere he goes, paparazzi.

The wedding and reception was in Niki's grandmother's backyard.  It was gorgeous and super kid friendly.  WhoopWhoop!  Family pic - or not.

 Lee, Farris, Winslow - missed you Fowler Family!

Best date ever, ever.  Her dad is pretty cute too!

Josh and Niki with 'Josh and Niki' as they requested to be called.

Always need someone to get the party going on the dance floor.  Farris brothers never disappoint.

Late night pizza, they were 'sooo hungry' - as if their dad needed an excuse to order it.

Imagine my excitement when we realized how close the PEZ factory was to our hotel!?!  Why go explore the city when you can go here!

As they always say... 'when in Connecticut.'

We ended the day with a seafood dinner on the waterway.  Nash claimed they had the best PB&J ever, but I was the real winner.  That cookie was warm. 

On the way back, Winnie had her own seat.  And was an angel - the entire trip.  Her big brothers are all really hard right now.  Defiant, whiney a-holes most of the time.  They have their moments of sweet greatness and it is usually when they are helping with their baby sister.  She brings out the best smiles in all of us.

Queen Winnie!

Someone looks just like her brothers... only cuter. 

What happens on the bus...

"Look mom.  Money.  Some girls on the bus just give it to me.  I can't say no."

Theo's turn!

Finally! Theo's turn for his 'socca ball game.'  I mentioned to Theo way too early that I signed him up to play soccer.  Every single day since then he has asked if today was his game?  We have tried on our 'skeats and guards' numerous times and practiced in the back yard.  He was more than ready.  I am not going to break the news that this is just a once a week practice 'for fun.'  His coach can deal with that.  Home boy is ready for a game!

5 months!

5 months! As your brothers always say, 'You are the best girl ever! Ever! Ever!'  And you smile at them, because you know what's up.

Cheesing at my brothers!

For her 5 month present, we convinced the big guys to ride the bus home from school!  The only time Winnie throws a fit is in the carpool line - both of us.

It drops off  at the end of our street.  I love walking to pick them up and chatting about their day.  Theo still wants to get on the bus, so there is that little melt down.  

Winnie's Baptism

Winnie was baptized on Sunday.  She was an absolute angel and looked it too.  She wore the Christening gown that my Nana made me.  The boys have always been too big for it so I was exited that Winnie was able to squeeze in.  It was a hectic beautiful event, just like this life.   Jesus said, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." Matthew 19:14

My girl.  Thank-you God for choosing ME to be her mama.

Group shot.  We tried.  Loved having family there.  We celebrated with friends and family and some Q Shack at the park.

 Theo was having a day.

Thankfully I remembered my drawers.

Ahhh, the friendly threats begin.

Hey Hey everyone! We are STILL up here.

Nash, you shouldn't do that, but thanks. 

Papa

The best man, my Papa, passed away yesterday.  Heavens choir will sing a little sweeter for it.  I have never known someone to long for heaven as he did.  We will miss him so down here, but I cannot imagine how happy he is.  To reunite with Nana, sing in the choir, play a baby grand piano, run with the football team, catch fly balls in centerfield, play golf with his friends.  He lived life to the fullest and always, always, always wanted to know how you were doing and if you were ok.  As he would say, 'good Lord willing' we will meet again.

Great memories of his always combed white hair, particular cologne smell, scratching his back for money, cooking his dinner with Nana, visiting him a Frederick's Music Store, and singing "Lazy bones, sleepin in the sun..."

Theo's turn!

Finally!  Everyday since his big brothers started back school Theo has asked, 'I have school today?!'  His turn arrived and he walked right in without looking back, just like I knew he would.  The boy loves learning, playing and entertaining all of his classmates.  I hope they are ready for him.  And I am just as excited about a little 'girl time' 3 mornings a week!

nom nom nom

Get in my belly!  Sophie the giraffe is still going strong, 7 years later.  What is it with this thing?  I can't believe we still have it or that it survived sweet Greta.  She knew what toys were not hers but I often found her resting her nose right against this one.  Don't worry I washed it off with warm water.  Building up that immune system for the fall.

so long summer

We ended the last weekend of summer strong.  A post first football game fiesta, a neighborhood cookout, and a pool party.  I would have loved to venture to the beach or take one last trip but sometimes it is just easier to stay put.  Love where you live, and that we do.  Our first summer as a family of six was better than I could have imagined.

These guys and girls fared better than the mighty mighty tar heels.  Jackson was the ref.  He is still being a pretty good sport about having a sling arm.

Sunday-Funday cookout!

Riding Dirty.  Just from the neighborhood pool, don't worry.  We had to get that last swim in.

The break

Well, it was a strong 7 years of no broken bones around here.  I am impressed we made it this far.  Alas, Thursday evening Jackson was running from Theo down the hall, fell, and hit his arm in just the right spot.  I thought he was being extra whiney and made him go to sleep (whoops, keeping it honest here).  The next day it was still bothering him and what do you know, a broken arm bone.  He gets to rock a splint and sling for a week and then goes in for a cast.  So far it hasn't seemed to bother him much at all.  He is milking it for all the 'tech time' that he can.  We know this boy is not afraid to chill.

My brave little 7 year old, who looks 12 here?!

I am trying to keep him home and still as much as possible until he gets the hard cast.  Lucky Winnie got to watch her first football game with her biggest bro.  Lucky daddy got to take her other 2 bros to the game.  Whoop-whoop.  Please note, I got matching monogram shirts!  Who am I, first time for everything.