It's alive!

Yes, this blog still exists.  For those who haven't been 'splained to about why this blog stands so neglected, it's the fault of all our Apple devices. Pretty much every photo around here is shot with an iPhone or iPad, and transferring those pictures to the blog is too much for my old Apple laptop, which can take 10 seconds to load for each click it receives. That, plus Blogger seems to be outdated. There aren't any options for directly transferring photos from Apple devices to Blogger, that I know of. If I'm wrong, please tell me! I'd love to keep this blog going instead of solely posting photos to iPhoto photo sharing (which the Cooks can see, but the Farrs can't!). Anyway, on to some pics taken with my good old-fashioned camera.

Maria cuddling St. Gabriel on his baptism day!

What not to do with a Spanish omelet.

Jumping forward six months to Christmas, which was absolutely lovely. Aunt Nat and Uncle George, Lola and Lolo all joined the fun Christmas Eve and Christmas morning. Happy birthday baby Jesus!

Lil' Irish. Thanks Uncle George!

Princess Rose, thanks to Aunt Hilary!

Our new 16-person tent, which we're planning on taking outside eventually :) Thanks Lolo and Lola!

Beautiful Christmas morning, waiting to go to Mass.

A surprise from a neighbor Christmas morning. So sweet!

Peep-eye!

Aunt Kate and Uncle Jeff's "Fairy Garden" is a success!

Visit to Train Exhibit at U.S. Botanical Gardens (where Grandmommy's art is hanging!) A couple days after Thanksgiving, when Teresa broke her thumb. Ah, memories :)

Merry Christmas!

This and that

Happy New Year! It's hard to believe we're well into January, with a snow storm looming around the corner. We celebrated Dave's 33rd birthday on the 14th, and continued the celebration over the weekend with a fun visit from Lolo and Lola and by seeing Star Wars up close. By up close I mean in the front row, looking directly up, because we managed to get there a little late and the theater was full except for the front row. I will say that since it was less of a visual experience I was forced to actually concentrate on the plot and scenes more than I would have. I would rate it a solid "good".

David got his first barbershop haircut. Dave said the woman not only shaved his little neck stubble with shaving cream and a flat-edged razor, but she also wrapped our little guy's head with a hot towel and massaged his neck. Oh to have been there. David seems only to remember that she gave him a mint.

In the kitchen, we've been having fun with Jeff and Kate's Christmas present: a sous-vide cooker and a vacuum sealer (see sous-vide carrots above). Thanks guys!

Off to read books to the littles. I'll post an update Monday when we find out the gender of baby Cook at my 20 week sonogram.  Any predictions? I can take bets...

The trees (and a quasi-announcement)

Not a great picture, but gives you a sense of the tree out front. The little white orb close to the top is a work in progress, according to Dave. Getting it closer to the top will take Herculean strength, but all in the name of perfection, right?

Loving the tree in this space, not to mention the pine scent, which seems to be morning sickness-friendly. I guess I haven't officially announced I'm pregnant on the blog yet, so here it is! Baby Cook is due June 10th.  Likely everyone reading this already knows, but just in case there's someone who doesn't.  We're counting down to week 16, when the nausea usually abates for me. In an effort not to waste suffering, though, let me know your prayer intentions and I'll keep them in mind over the toilet bowl!

Christmas Recap Part II

Rose pretending to be a shy little violet before Christmas Eve Mass.

Cookies and milk on the mantle, carrots outside- check.

"O sole mioooo..." Christmas dinner at the Farrs, with live music.

Yay! Grandmommy's nouveau Christmas tree is always a surprise and a joy. 

Aunt Missy and the Grinch

Aunts Nat and Missy in front of the New Mexico chili lights- not quite Christmas without them.

One of Grandmommy's many incredible, handmade Christmas gifts: a hand-painted dough nativity.

Christmas haircut. Bye!

Merry Christmas!

Family photo sans David Jr., who was in a snit nearby, refusing to be part of the merriment.

Natalie, taking the picture: "David! I have a candy cane in my pocket!" Genius.

The best picture of the four of them turned out with Aunt Natalie, fittingly.

Happy birthday Jesus! We're a little shaky and very full of sugar! 

Aunt Kate's gift to me: a cute pair of Toms. Love them!

A labor of love, as Lola would say.

"Can I open one???"

Fried rice and chocolate...seems about right.

The girls spent most of Christmas Eve with Dave helping to decorate the church.  You see the lovely product of much hard work on the part of many! It was a quiet, recollected Christmas Eve, which the dark, rainy weather seemed to encourage. After dinner, A Charlie Brown Christmas, and cookies, milk and carrots set out for St. Nicholas and his entourage, they were in bed far past their usual bedtime. I thought they might sleep in. Oh, silly Mommy. They woke up shortly before 5 am... thank you, husband, for getting up soon after. We've all enjoyed separate nap times (the adults, that is!) squeezed in between Christmas day excitement and present opening. Aunt Natalie is watching Frozen with them downstairs at the moment. We're waiting in anticipation for Lolo and Lola to come join the celebration of our Lord's birth. May the peace, hope and courage of the season permeate everyone's family and home!

Holiday recap

We spent Christmas with Lolo and Lola in Cleveland. After the initial (expected) busyness of the days surrounding Christmas proper, we were able to settle in and relax over coffee, puzzles, delicious Christmas sweets and many good meals. Thanks for hosting us dear Lolos!

They stayed like this, David lying in her lap playing with his train, for about five minutes. So.cute.

Lola's Christmas craft: flower arrangements. I got to make one too. 

Cinnamon is good for you, right? Good, because we're made out of these cinnamon rolls.

Lamb for dinner, plum pudding for dessert. Full disclosure: stomach ache for bedtime.

Leaving for Greenhouse Tavern in Cleveland. Thanks Jeff and Kate!!

Then on to Grandmommy and Pop pop for a delightful New Years' Eve soiree. Late night Scrabble and popcorn after the little ones (myself included :)) went to bed made for a fun evening. To be surrounded by family was comforting and stress-relieving after struggling through a week of insomnia. I think I speak for all mommies when I say to be taken care of by one's own mommy and daddy takes on indescribable value after one becomes a mommy oneself. :)

Frankie has been itching to use the new cupcake baking set Uncle Jeff and Aunt Kate sent her. We got busy today:

Pink just seemed appropriate.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all!

Christmas cookies

Chef Frankie with Sous Chef Teresa, not licking fingers of course! Giving it the old college try at least...

Christmas 2011

David Jr.'s first tie!

Getting ready for Mass on Christmas Eve.

Highlight of Christmas morning for David: a goldfish container filled with aforementioned crackers.

Dave's cousin Ailea in the Philippines sent Frankie and Teresa beautiful dresses, scarves and sandals.

Then on to Grandmommy and Pop-pop's house for delicious meals, presents and family fun.

Hope everyone is enjoying a Merry Christmas!