St. Jude Sprout

Elijah's Sunday Morning Breakfast

So Jeff has bought the kids donuts for breakfast on Sunday morning because it's a hectic day for us and I've been feeling under the weather. Elijah is very excited and digs in. I walk into the hall to do Alethea's hair and walk back into the kitchen to see "little Jeff/little George" pouring over the church directory while he finishes the final crumbs of breakfast.


"Now who's in charge of the cookie committee again?"

"Oops, I almost missed that sprinkle."


"Hmm. Interesting. Mom, did you
know that there are 25 Vandermydes listed in
this directory?"

The McIlrath-Doolittles

Ian has Strep throat so Jeff and I watched an "oldie but goodie" with him while he was home from school, one of Jeff's favorites from childhood: Dr. Doolittle. What fun to talk with the animals! As I was downloading the last several weeks of photos off of my memory card today I was struck by a common theme from the long, dark winter months of January and February--ANIMALS, specifically our dogs. I realized how much joy Isabella and Memphis really bring our kids. Eli specifically has a very special bond. He seems to even have his own very special language with them. Both he and Ali are true little "Doolittles." Here are a few pictures to prove it.





Eli is the St. Bernard Tamer!!



Alethea piles on the pillows to make
Memphis a "cave" and then jumps on!


Snuggling up to watch "The WonderPets"

Fun in the SNOW!!

Look at all the snow!!!

Snowbathing beauties
Ian shows off the beginning of his fort
Eli's first chance to play in the snow--mostly he just wanted get his mittens off and have everyone to chase him around.

Karissa's 9th Birthday

Karissa's 9th Birthday was so much fun!!

She came home to flowers from the Hooks--thank you, thank you, thank you!!

Then, a "Lil Kinz" from the siblings and her long wanted Electric Guitar--she can't wait to get to her next guitar lesson now.

Karissa poses with her "Groovy Girl" Birthday Cake

An Squire "Mini" Electric Guitar--just what every budding Rock & Roller wants for her 9th Birthday!!!

Check out the Guitar from mommy and daddy and the awesome amp from Gramm and Grandpa George! Ian's already finding new ways to plug his ears :-)!!

Enjoying some of the last nice fall days

Just a few quick pics from our evening on Wednesday. It was just too beautiful to stay inside so when the big kids got home from school, we walked to French Creek park so the kids could play. We all enjoyed the fresh air. Alethea was a big girl and walked the whole way. I wanted to badly to get some nice family pictures in the leaves out back, but it was already getting dark when we got home so this is what we managed. Alethea is making faces because Karissa and Ian just lost teeth and she is sticking out her tongue to show her "loose tooth." Yes, there is never a dull moment at the McIlrath house!!

Eli the Chicken and Daddy

The McIlraths cousins are ready to Trick-or-Treat

I've decided to enter the world of blogging. I am hoping this will be a good way for faraway relatives to watch the little Macs grow--that's you Heidi and Mom and Dad Mac. Since today is the day after Halloween I'll post a couple of pics from our fun night last night. The Steve McIlraths visit made it especially fun. Even baby Eli had a great time. We had a chicken (Eli), a doctor, ahem Dr. Sima (Alethea), a Thing from Fantastic Four (Ian), a Ninja Warrior (Karissa), a fireman (Sammy), a Fairy Princess (Makayla) and a Geologist (Alexis). What a night! Now to keep the kids out of their candy bags!!