What a week!
Sorry it has been a while since I updated, we have been very busy this week! Last Saturday Joseph, Olivia and I went to Madison to celebrate St. Patrick's with Nana, Papa, Uncle Brian, Uncle Benjamin and Rachel. While we were on the road to Madison Bryan and Eileen went to the Pius track meet to work the jump pit. Eileen had a great time with her dad working, jumping and then of course out to lunch after. While Bryan and Eileen were working hard Nana was watching Olivia and Joseph for me so I could go to Brian's house to watch the Xavier/Ohio St. game with him and Uncle Benjamin. I don't know how many of you saw the game but it was a devastating loss in overtime, but still nice to be able to watch the game with the boys. After the game we enjoyed at traditional American-Irish dinner at Nana and Papa's house.
The next day we went to Ada and Emmet's first birthday party, the twins are 1! Joseph didn't really care that there was a party going on he just had fun with all the great toys!

Emmet and his Uncle Greg watching Joseph play with his toys

Eileen and Olivia "helping" Ada and Emmet open their birthday gifts

Ada and Emmet getting ready for cake

When we returned home on Monday the basement renovation began! Bryan's friend Rick came over and helped Bryan with the layout for a bathroom in the basement and that evening Bryan cut into the floor! He spent the next day cutting and digging out our basement floor and that afternoon Rick came back and hooked up all the piping. It is so refreshing to know that there are people out there willing to do things for others just out of the kindness of their hearts and not for any self gain. Rick took hours away from his family and his own free time to help us and wouldn't accept anything from us (I guess Bryan will have to supply a winning softball season, they play on the same team!).
On Friday Brian came in to celebrate Joseph's birthday on his birthday, and of course to help us with the basement. When Brian got here Bryan put him right to work, they went to the store to buy supplies and then they headed for the basement to mix the concrete, to fill in the whole Bryan had cut for the plumbing. We are now plumbed for a basement bathroom and the finishing can begin! Hours later the concrete had been poured and it was time for a party break.

We opened gifts, we gave Joseph a Dr. Seuss "Oh, the places you'll go" print for his room and his annual gift from us is a complete boxed set of baseball cards. This like the girls Waterford is a rather unexciting gift for a child but we hope in the future they come to appreciate the gift.
Joseph loved the tissue paper!

His wooden fire truck from Uncle Brian

Joseph really wanted to get at the cake, and yes that afternoon he had no time for pants!

Joseph ended up really enjoying his banana cake, he was a mess when he was done!

Want a taste?

Joseph playing with his new firetruck on the kitchen floor after we cleaned him up

After the party the boys went to get themselves some dinner and then back to the basement to begin the framing! They were working long after I went to bed and were able to get part of a wall framed, most importantly Bryan learned how to frame a wall properly.

Joseph saying good-by and thank you to Uncle Brian Saturday morning

Saturday afternoon we had Joseph's Baseball Birthday Party. We were so lucky the weather was perfect so the older kids were able to run around outside while the babies stayed inside with the ladies. There was lots to eat, we went through 6 pounds of nacho cheese and 4 pounds of chips! Plus all the brats hot dogs, cotton candy, licorice ropes, cracker jacks, popcorn, sunflower seeds, etc... oh yea, we did also have some healthy foods fruit, vegetables and milk.

Joseph opening his gifts, people were so generous now we really need to finish the basement so we have a place to use all of these great new toys!

Joseph "blowing" out his candle

Luis and his mini-me Diego

Yes, another birthday cake!

On Sunday Nana and Papa came in to celebrate Joseph's birthday with him. They came bright and early so they sat with us as the kids had their breakfast. They gave Joseph his birthday gifts but he was not very interested in opening them, thank goodness his sisters were there to help him. It was such a beautiful day (79) we had to spend it outside, so we all went to the park.
Nana feeding Joseph his cereal with molasses and Eileen doing her "Eileen the Banana Head" bit, Thank you Dora!

Joseph showing off his new toys from the Schuks

Trying to get Joseph to open his gifts from Nana and Papa

Like son like father, since Joseph was chewing on his sweatshirt Bryan had to also.

Joseph enjoying the sunshine

Eileen showing everyone how she can go across the monkey bars

Olivia riding on Eileen's bike.

Eileen showing us her basketball skills, not quite sure what Olivia's issue is!

We are now ready for a nice quite week, no parties, no cutting into the floor, just getting back into the regular swing of things. Thank you everyone for helping us celebrate Joseph's first birthday, it was so wonderful to see everyone.
Well we have one more beautiful day in the forecast so we are off to play outside!