babies and a baby shower

First, a picture of my babies...
As we were checking out at the grocery yesterday, an elderly man behind us told Grace, "I have a little girl just like you! She's almost 50." How sweet! So yes, these two are both still my babies. They are waiting for the Irish Italian Parade at St. Thomas and came dressed for the occasion with their festival t-shirts. Marion doesn't totally trust Grace to hold her steady, so this picture was a feat!

Julia, Allison, Jennifer, Suzanne and Diana

Along with some of my childhood friends, I co-hosted a baby shower at my home for Jennifer. Her first baby is due the first week of May! We had a great time, I have known these girls forever!

marion's baptism

Our little Marion was baptized on November 15 during the 10:15 mass at St.Thomas Catholic Church! She wore the same gown that big sister Grace wore three years ago for her own Baptism! Little MayMay has two sets of godparents, my brother Daniel and my sister in law Barbara, along with our friends Mandi and Josh. Here is the invitation, courtesy of her godmother...
Isn't it precious!! (Obviously, our names weren't off center at the bottom, I just photoshopped our last name off for the sake of the internets!!)

Marion's sweet christening necklace was a gift from Mandi and Josh.

Grace and Lindsey

Can you see the candle in this picture?? I decorated it myself! It has crystals that make a cross and Marion's monogram!

Father Tommy

MayMay's cake

irish italian parade and festival

This morning we took the girls to St.Thomas' annual Irish Italian Parade. It was both girls' first parade and we had so much fun! Grace got tons of beads, doubloons, moon pies, and even some cabbage and potatoes! One car had a girl in a green gown riding in it; I pointed out the "princess" to Grace. After the parade, I explained to her that many of the kids in the parade went to Sacred Heart, and that when she starts school, she'll be able to ride in a float and throw prizes too. She quickly answered, "I want to ride in the one with the princess!"

These glasses were courtesy of the Saenger Theater's Buddy Holly float.

Marion was even awake for some of the party!

...but she didn't last long!

Grace used my Mardi Gras bag that I got when I was her age! I'll make her one of her own for next year!

Later in the day, we went to 4 o'clock mass and then to the Irish Italian Festival. It was really an awful day out - rained all day - but the kids still had fun in the kiddie area...

Grace with her friend Meredith after getting their faces painted.

Grace in her "cooker hat" that she wrote her name on!