Jacksonville

Last weekend we took a quick trip to Jacksonville to visit Bill's mom and grandmother and Uncle Charles.  As usual, we had a wonderful time playing with new games and toys from Mama. Most popular were Mama's new electronic organ and some noisy musical toys recommended by Aunt Paulette. They were very cute, but imagine 8 little people playing with them incessantly. The singamajigs learned about "time-out" during the 4 days we spent soaking up the heat and the sun.

Dominic enjoyed sitting with Uncle Charles

Grandma and James

Great-grand #8 was less photogenic than his brother

Dominic and Mama!

What is that Singamajig?
If you would like to know, we can send you one.

Children's children are a crown to the aged.

                                                  --Prov. 17:6

We can see where the kids got so much personality

Introducing Solids

A typical reaction to any kind of food

Dominic is now 7 months old and has started to show an interest in solids.  Or he has an interest in grabbing them and trying to get them into his mouth.  His usual reaction after that is violent gagging and .... 

Like all babies, though, he does love to orally explore anything left on the floor and he never seems to mind what he finds there. So, I came up with a  system for introducing new foods.  We are going to throw food on the floor around the dining room table--only one new food per week!--and let him try them that way.  So far he has been introduced to Cheetos, grass, and crayon packaging with perfect success.

End of an Era

Me:  This is a "Twinkie."

Anthony: Oooooh, I've seen one in a picture.

The kids' only reference for Twinkies was this image from Wall-E

Individual shots

Regarding the serial posting: today Blogger and my computer are communicating so I'm taking advantage of it.  Thomas asked if I would please also post his birthday picture from 6 months ago (or how about camp from over a year ago), but I think we'll wait just a bit longer on that....

The birthday girl!  Tired but game to show off her Christmas dress.

Thomas

Charles

Cecilia

Maria

Joseph

James

Anthony

Dominic, 6 months!

Bill and I went running for 6 minutes and
he decided to sit up for the first and only time so far.

And, yes,  he chose to learn to crawl at Adoration. 

Also a single occurrence. 

With Pop on Christmas Day

Happy little back-wrapped baby

This is why we don't do a group Christmas picture

Ok, pretty good guys.  Next time, Joseph, you smile, ok?

And look at the camera.
You know what, how about we do a crazy one to loosen up?

Dominic! Do you call that 'crazy'?
Ok, guys back to normal.

Sigh.  I guess I did say 'normal'.