Paul's 5th Birthday

These are a myriad of photos from the last few weeks including Paul's soccer game and birthday parties.

Coach Redfern getting the team ready to play.

Paul in action.

Daddy and Uncle Chris really look alike when Uncle Chris wears Daddy's clothes.

Kate took a liking to Mr. Jesse.

Making an appetizer.

Working hard on the cake with Aunt Megan. (note the lack of an "H")

The final cake for birthday number 5

2 peas in a pod

Daddy had to go to Chicago the next day so Uncle Chris was on LEGO duty.

helping Aunt Katherine with her hair

Getting Eli and Mater settled into their new home.

Paul's gift from Mom and Dad - a golf bag and clubs.

Monkey see - Monkey Do

More smiles at Gram and BB's

Gram and BB got Paul a new big bike for turning 5.

Last but not least - everyone lending a helping hand with Tom the Turkey.

Kaitlyn's 2nd birthday Pictures

I'm trying something new- there were so many fun pictures from Kaitlyn's birthday party and weekend with our family, that I made them into an album which you can view..... let me know what you think!

Click here for my Walmart Digital Photo Center photos.

Happy 4th Birthday, Paul!

We spent yesterday afternoon and evening celebrating little Paul's fourth birthday. He had several of his own friends over for dinner (and playing and cake), and our house was certainly lively- but we all had tons of fun.

After last year's John Deere tractor cake, this year the Redfern-Cornock baking and decorating crew (Paul, Katherine and myself) created a fire truck cake.... here it is:

Paul was soooooo excited to have his friends come over... he waited, relatively patiently, by the door for them to arrive. Of course Kaitlyn had to come see what he was up to and keep him company (she was a great sport all weekend).

Hanging out in the downstairs play room... (there were fire trucks and firemen to color, foam pumpkins to decorate and eventually "pin the face parts on the pumpkin") The kids (and me who got stuck on the wrong side of the table!) having dinner....The other kids' table- which served wine and beer. (Ryan is actually in one of the kids' fold-up chairs!)Time for cake! He blew out the candle on the 2nd or 3rd try.Looking at the wonderful pictures from Uncle Chris and Aunt Megan's wedding with Aunt Megan and Gram. He was fascinated by them.

Today Paul got to open some of his other presents- and there were many great gifts!! He first opened an awesome remote control train from Aunt Megan and Uncle Chris (and a set of gloves and a hat... which you'll see Kaitlyn took over- and wore for quite a while this morning!).

Kaitlyn also got a hold of Aunt Katherine's blackberry and may have accidentally called 911... we're not sure... she was also able to 'unlock' they keyboard...

A chainsaw from Uncle Ryan and Lauren (to which Kaitlyn yelled "yeah, Paul" since he was so happy- and had to get her goggles since Paul had gotten work goggles!). Some great building sets and a 'town road map' from Aunt Katherine- they built the police station together:

Relaxing with Daddy while watching some football.
Playing outside tonight... while Paul trimmed some of our front bushes..

And since neither of the kids understood the concept of daylight savings time this morning and woke up bright and early, it's time for bed! More to come from the official birthday on Tuesday.

Happy 1st Birthday, Kaitlyn!

A year ago this evening, Kaitlyn Anne entered the world- and our lives have never been the same. She is full of smiles and has brought even more love into our house (as well as a few grey hairs onto my head!).
We had a wonderful birthday party on Sunday for her. Paul and I commented to each other that it was so special to be able to watch her enjoy everyone's company and see Paul III's total love for his little sister. He picked out a barn shape/animal sorter for her last Thursday and waited very patiently (as patiently as a 3-year old can!) to give it to her... he lasted until first thing Sunday morning, so at least he made it to the day of her birthday party- not the good morning hair on P3:
A few highlights from the birthday celebration...
Relaxing with mom before the big event:
Getting ready to open some presents:

The four of us:
The party gang:
Kaitlyn's first cake- she loved it... and was digging in her high chair for the pieces she spilled (not that she's shoving it in her mouth while daddy is cutting the second piece):
Where'd it go?:
Aunt Katherine got Kate a ball popper- a HUGE hit (for young and old- make sure you check out Paul III's face on the one picture):
Trying on some new clothes:
And modeling many of her new items: Playing with Godmother Aunt Katherine:
Being silly with Pop Pop:

Tonight we went to Friendly's with Gram for a birthday dinner- during which Kaitlyn stole 3 french fries by reaching over to Gram's plate... which Paul III joked was 'not good manners.'

Kaitlyn's Baptism

On Saturday we celebrated Kaitlyn's baptism at the College chapel. Uncle Ryan and Aunt Katherine were the godparents and we we went back to the Redfern house afterwards for dinner, cake, and ice cream. Paul was a wonderful big brother and Kaitlyn cried just a couple of times.

Easter in NJ

We had a great trip to see Nana, PopPop, Uncle Chris and Uncle Ryan this weekend in NJ. Everyone was a good traveler (whew!) and we got home safely Sunday afternoon to finish watching the Masters.Paul enjoyed many Easter egg hunts, both inside and out. There was a trail of eggs from his room to his easter basket on Sunday morning, although he picked up whatever eggs he saw first!
There was also a fair amount of "uncle torture"- Uncle Ryan was rolled across the front yard at one point.We even got to spend a special Easter dinner with Aunt Mary Ellen, Uncle Bill, Katherine and Megan.