Funny things my kids say...

The boys have been pretty funny lately, I want to write this before I forget.

Lately Finn starts most of his sentences as: "listen to this mom, this is going to make you laugh...." But the other day he said: "listen to this mom, this is going to make you think I really am Superman...."

Tonight we went out to eat to celebrate Sean's acceptance into ILE in Leavenworth. We told the boys the good news at dinner, while I was about to tell them where we were moving, Cullen interrupted and said "are we moving to China??!?" With a look of horror on his face.

We were all talking about all the great things the move will bring, how close to family we'll be, etc. then Finn chimed in with we'll be close to Gage Park too! :)

Then Cullen went onto say he is ready to move, we've been in Indiana for a long time. (Yikes, said like a true Army Brat!)

ESPN Gameday on campus

There was a HUGE crowd!

What the ESPN viewers were watching.  See Touchdown Jesus in their background? It was just behind us.

Watching the band play.  Touchdown Jesus in background.

Yay for gameday on campus!

Walking home to meet the babysitter... "Here come the Irish!"

Beautiful trees along Lake Saint Joseph.

The boys with Seamus Ahern.

ESPN setting up on Thursday night.

The main stage.

Last weekend was pretty exciting around here!  ESPN was on campus for College Gameday.  The last time they were on campus was in 2005 (when Sean went to his first ND football game)!  The boys loved all the activities on campus leading up to game time.  It wore them out for the babysitter.  It was a GREAT game with ND beating Stanford in overtime!  It was a crazy game, standing in rain boots and ponchos the WHOLE time... it was cold AND rained pretty much the entire game.

ND Firehouse Tour

For playgroup this week, I organized a visit to the Notre Dame Firehouse.  It was awesome!  The firemen were great, they showed us everything, and taught us about fire safety!  One suited up in full gear, the pulled the firetruck out and turned the lights on, showed us where they sleep, eat, watch tv, one went down the fireman's pole for us.  Then before we left, they gave each kid a hat and sticker.  Finn had the best day ever!

"Catholics vs Convicts" Game in Chi-Town

Ready to hit the road to Chicago...

hot cocoa!

Sean scored two tickets to the ND vs Miami game in Chicago.  He and Cullen had a great night of bonding!  Cullen enjoyed the night of just him and dad.  Sounds like it couldn't have been a better night for them, AND the Irish stomped Miami.

cheetahs

We just finished up Cullen's first "research" project.  He was excited to learn more about his favorite animal, the cheetah.  I love his artwork.  Notice the wildebeest, bird, and rabbit too?  Next he will have to present what he learned to his class next week, via the smart board.

fall

The colors are so beautiful!

 I'm trying to permanently etch this image to my mind.

Feeding the ducks.

Throwing rocks in the water.

It was almost 80* Thursday.  The boys and I headed to our favorite walk around Lake Saint Mary on campus after homework was done.  I had to drag the boys home for dinner, it was so perfect outside.  Those warm days are now behind us, the high is supposed to be around 50* (and cloudy!) for the unforeseeable future...

Mass at the Log Cabin Chapel

Our dinner view from the South Dining Hall's 2nd floor.

Log Cabin Chapel

Back in the middle of August, I was able to see the inside of the Log Cabin Chapel after the rosary.  Father O'Connor and Freida walked me up there to show me the inside.  It was amazing!  I thought it would be a great place to have the next MBA Community Mass.  I email Brian Lohr about it, and he directed me to Sister Petra (also an MBA student).

Sister Petra and I have been emailing quite a bit now.  She has asked me about joining in on the planning of the MBA family retreat in January, and invited me to attend Mass at her convent.  She also asked me to do a reading at the MBA Community Mass last Sunday.  I was nervous, but when will I have that opportunity again?  The reading went well and the Mass was packed!  All the seats were taken and there were many standing at the back.  Sister Petra emailed me that night to thank me for the suggestion, she said they have never had such a good turn out and she thinks it was because of the location.

After Mass, we all walked to the South Dining Hall for dinner.  It was crazy, with all the students and Sean and I trying to manage our tray and the boys'.  We were able to sit with Father Doyle (the priest assigned to the MBA program and ND Football team).  He enjoyed talking to the boys.  In fact during communion he asked Cullen to give him a "high five" and Cullen slapped his hand HARD, it was loud!  :)  Hahaha.  It was a great day and I have many great memories from it...