Happy 3rd Birthday Liam!

Liam is 3! He had a great birthday. We began the day opening gifts from us and his brothers. A lot of Buzz Lightyear and a fun ride able motorcycle. Liam's been into motorcycles for since he was one and could hear them a mile away. After a little play time and we headed to the zoo. Liam stated "It's my birthday so it's my decision." as he led us through the zoo. We saw the lions, gorillas, bears, the new Madagascar and lemur exhibit, took a ride on the skyfari and ended with a trip (minus mommy) through the kingdom of the nights to find alligators. We rested at home for a little while before meeting Gramma, Papa, Aunt Lindsey, and Uncle Brendan at Olive Garden for dinner. While we waited for our food Liam opened a few presents where he got a blue elephant from Aunt Lindsey which he LOVES, and from Gramma and Papa he got his own IPod Touch. After he opened the touch he said "I really did want this" with a huge smile from ear to ear. We are looking forward to the family party for all the boys on Sunday and for all the family to see our new house.

Our New Home

It is finally official we have a new house! We moved on May 24th but did not sign for the house until June 8th. Until those papers were signed we have been hesitant to discuss the move too much. Feeling we may jinx something since the first time around we had such bad luck just two days before the closing. Looks like things are changing and we finally have some good luck because we are now the owners of a beautiful two story four bedroom house. With LOTS of space that we are all enjoying. Greg and I are getting through the boxes and turning the house into our home. The boys have loved digging into boxes of toys they have not seen since last August. Colin said it's like a big Christmas. We are very lucky the house does not need anything right away of course there are somethings I want to do such as paint the Tristan and Colin's room and Liam's room. It will come in time. For now we are enjoying meeting new neighbors and getting things organized. Here are a few pictures from before the stuff got moved in. I will post more soon.

Memorial Day

For as long as I can remember we would go with Grandma Towey to pay our respects to family members on Memorial Day. We would begin at Forest Lawn where we would dig up a bunch iries to be replanted at someones house, then we (usually Greg, Brendan, or Lindsey) would find the vases while Tristan and Colin would go get the water a chore they LOVED to do. Grandma would get bunches of peonies and whatever other flowers were available in the garden to make boquets for the vases once they were found. After we stopped by both areas at Forest Lawn we'd jump on the interstate and head to Grandpa Ed's plot. Where we would clean off the stone and leave a boquet of flowers too. This was an important tradition for Grandma and I know she often worried that when she passed noone would continue it. We all reassured her many times that we would continue the Memorial Day tradition and this year we did just that.
Lindsey, Brendan, Gramma,Papa and the five of us visited the cemeteary Monday and did what we have done over the years. Except this year we visited Grandma Towey's grave rather than her being along side of us and the irises were not as thick as in the years past. There was only enough to put some at Grandma's stone. Which I believe she would be very happy about. As always Tristan and Colin were great helpers getting water and taking care of the stones. There is just a sense of respect and caring for others when we are there.