Now Announcing...

So I'm a little late (ok, like 8 monthes late) with sending out birth announcements for RG (as her Daddy and I affectionatley call her), but if you haven't seen it yet, here she is, in all of her strategically covered glory (Yes, I am sure she will hate me for this when she gets older).

Ho Ho Hooo-nooo...

Yes, I'm a little late (just like my christmas cards) but,

Happiest of Holidays

to you and yours from me and mine. I leave you with some fabulous photos from our photo shoot with our pal Shelby. Check out her blog, we made the holiday posting (www.shelbyleigh.com/blog). Cheers,

Kat, Dave, Keegan, Joey, Rowan, Riley

"It's my birthday, now where is my cake?!"

Happiest 4th to our Rowan Kate! We celebrated Rowan's birthday at our house with lots of friends. In total, I had 17 kids running wild in my house, most of which were little girls. Our garden girl/ladybug theme was a hit! We made crowns, bug masks and colored to keep the munchkins tied up while wine kept the mommies sane. Thank you so much to guests who made the afternoon a blast! Including Erin and her troop, my neighbor Karen and her two girls, as well as Aunt Dani, Alexis and Katie. Etta and Amelia, Bents and Isabel, and Jenn and her kids who have become very welcome staples here in the OO house were also in attendance!

And the leaves go down...

On Sunday morning, I woke up to my already wide awake 3 and 6 year old singing in the living room (in their underwear no less) about fall. As far as I know it was completely made up and the only part I really understood was the chorus "And the Leaves go down" (and at that point, they jump up and fall down - ring-around-the-rosy-style). So in honor of their fall song and dance, here are some pictures updated pictures of the kids!

(Rowan at our Church's Fall Festival)

(Keegan tries to put on a scary face...a handsome one at that)

(Riley is smiley)

(The littler O'Tooles)

Playing catch up...

Its been a little while since I posted...ok, a LONG while, but with school, church, karate and sports, I feel as if I am infinitley playing catch up. So I bid adieu to summer, as we start to embrace the Fall. (Yes, I am well aware that it is already the middle of October). Cheers everyone!

Happy Birthday Joseph!

From happy baby to lovable toddler to my clever little Kindergarten graduate...Happy Birthday to one of the toughest, most amazing kids ever. I love you Joseph Colin O'Toole. Happy 6th Birthday!

Rowan

Just a couple of cute pics, I snapped of Rowan during a couple of our summer adventures.

(At the pool)

(At the park)

(Fingerpainting at a friend's birthday party)

Splish, splash!

Bathing suits...check! Flip flops...check! Towels and Sunscreen...check! The world's largest tote bag full of snacks, diapers and pool toys...check! Heading off to the pool is one of the kids' favorite summer activites. Keegan is a fearless (to the point of scaring Mom) practically self-taught swimmer; Joey is recent graduate of the baby pool; Rowan is my little bathing beauty; and Riley who got into the water for the first time recently all love the time we spend with our friends and family at the local pools. (Not to mention, Mommy LOVES the post pool quiet time.)

We all scream for ICE CREAM!

Ok, so it may not be the healthiest thing in the world, but having ice cream in the summer time is an OO Family staple. So bring it on Mr. Ice Cream Truck Driver!!

Happy 4 monthes Riley!

So our Squeaker is now 4 monthes and probably in one of the cutest stages ever. She's sleeps through on most nights, rolls over (then gets stuck) and sleeps on her side. Perpetually smiling, cooing, giggling (squeaking) and drooling, our snugglebug truly amazes me.

Summer, summer, summertime...

Swimming. Birthday parties. Pizza Night. Watching Movies. Riding Bikes. Playing Catch. Building castles in the sand. Sliding on the flumes at Chesapeake Beach Water Park. Hiking. Reading at the Library. Chasing the dog. Karate lessons. Swim Class. Eating Ice Cream. Cook-outs in the backyard. Walks to the Park. Fun at the Playground. Fireworks. Friends. Family.

Ahhhh...June has flown by and we are now wading through July. (Its hard to believe that we've been in our house for a year now!) Summer has kept us busy and the kids are reaping the rewards of no homework, no schedule and fully enjoying summer vacation bliss.

Smiley Riley

Happy 2 monthes to our Squeaker, who along with a clean bill of health also received 3 shots today. Poor thing! She's almost 10lbs (well, 9lbs 15 oz to be exact) now and growing out of her newborn clothes. She smiling, can hold her head up, coos and is quite the little wiggle worm.

I'm one lucky momma.

Happiest Momma's Day!

Its a bit belated but Happy Mother's Day to all the mommies out there - to all of my kick-butt mommy pals, my soccer and lax mommas, my cousins, aunties/titas, lolas (especially to my Lola Helen), but most of all to my wonderful mother-in-law and my very own amazing and beautiful mom. This year for Mother's Day, I really wanted to get some family pictures done - and some how the kids, the weather and the location created for some amazing photos and an amazing time. Our pics were done by the very talented Shelby (http://www.shelbyleigh.com/). Even though we were super late for our session, she managed to take some gorgeous pics of my newly expanded family. We even made her blog! Check out the link to the right (and email me for the password).

Happy Easter!

From our family to yours...

Here comes Peter Cottontail....

Joey's kindergarten class put on the play "Peter Rabbit". He was originally cast to play a turnip (yes, a turnip, as in the vegetable, turnip), but because he memorized the lines for the part of Mr. McGregor, his teacher went ahead and let him play the part! (Apparently, he was reciting the lines all day, every day, even during class time). The performance was absolutely adorable (the stuff you totally look forward to as a parent). His friend Isabel (I worked with her mom when I was teaching at Meade) was the narrator and his buddy Robert was cast as the turnip. Check out the clip below for Joey's 'theatrical' debut....

Riley's Fan Club...

So I thought that with your fourth child you wouldn't get much attention, but I guess having your fourth means you've accomplished some sort of baby-making milestone. Riley's had a whole lot of visitors come to see her...not to mention all of the generous gifts, the beautiful flowers, cards and balloons (even that one that plays music)! She's a pretty popular gal for being only 5 days old (and incredibly loved). Some pics...more to follow! And for those of you who have been keeping up, her bilirubin rates are down...making for a very happy mommy!

Proud big bro and sis...Joey and Rowan (Keegan is still 'not sure' about her)

Nana and Rowan at the hospital

Grandmom and Riley

The most amazing lacrosse players I've ever met.

Welcome Riley!

Riley Grace Onrubia O'Toole
Born March 27, 2009 at 3:08am
7lbs 4oz, 19 inches
Annapolis, Maryland

Fort McHenry

For a little O'Toole male bonding time, Dave, Grandad and boys took a quick trip out to Ft. McHenry in Baltimore. The boys enjoyed the time exploring the fort, playing on the heavy artillery, and watching a reenactment.

Hello spring!...or not...

We all know what Puxatawny Phil predicted for the upcoming season, but a couple of warm days made us the slightest bit hopeful for warmer days. Scooters, big wheels and lacrosse sticks made for an excellent afternoon in the 60 degree weather!

So what happened to January?

January came and went as quickly as our first true snowfall this year. And if this is any indication of what I can expect for the rest of the year, I've definitley got my work cut out for me! Aside from the routine of school, work, and everything in between, plus getting ready for lacrosse season (me and the boys) and getting ready for baby #4, we did have an opportunity to celebrate Dave's birthday!

We decided to take an overnight trip to Gettysburg, PA as a little present for Daddy's 31st. Combining Dave's love for history, creating a learning experience for the kids and getting much needed 'family' time with off-season, bargain prices and coupons, we were able to have a pretty awesome time with a budget that would rival dinner for two at a fancy restaurant! A few pics from some of the fun we had...


The boy in the bubble? Keegan getting 'into' a bubble at the Please Touch Museum in downtown Gettysburg, Pa. Below, my little artists work on their next masterpiece.

Joey and Rowan ham it up after hitting the hotel pool (it was indoors, of course). Below, Joey amongst the bears at the Boyds Bear Factory Store.

We also had a small birthday at home for him as well, complete with Filipino food (one of Dave's faves) and a 'tank' theme. The kids, of course, decorated the cake themselves (with their toys), and put up their own decorations. The kids picked a 'tank' theme for their dad (which was after I nixed the bombs and guns theme...they truly know their father...the only thing that would've been more accurate is if they suggested BOOBS, of course, this I'm sure will come much later with the boys).