Kilbane Happenings

OH MY GOODNESS! We are in for it! The freezing rain has started and I'm starting to worry that we will definitely be stuck in the house for the better part of the next 3 days. The forecasters are calling for up to 1" of ice now thru part of tuesday and then followed by anywhere from 6-12" of snow (depending on what part of the city you live in). To say that St. Louis has a bullseye on it is an understatement. Me and the kids are staying put and letting mother nature do its thing. I've printed off several Valentine craft ideas from a great website called All Kids Network - very few materials needed and great for keeping small hands busy and out of trouble! For everyone that is in the path of this this storm, please be safe if you have to be out and driving in it. I was in Cincinnait this past weekend celebrating my sister Molly's 30th birthday and had to come home a day early to beat the storm and so my driving partner (mom, he he he ) could catch a late flight ba...

We had a tragic loss hit our family last week. My dear, dear Uncle Dan (my dad's brother) passed away Monday January 17 after a long battle with heart disease. His heart was so full of love and passion for his family. We celebrated his life this past weekend in Cleveland, Ohio where hundreds gathered to pay their respects to a man who was an amazing husband to his bride, father to his children and doting grandfather to his 8 grandchildren. He also left behind 3 brothers that were his life-long best friends, 2 sisters and 13 nieces and nephews. Those who knew him, knew of his kind words and loving words for all he came in contact with. He could make anyone laugh and will keep us laughing as we remember him always and his joyful presence. All of my aunts, uncles, and cousins were able to make it to Cleveland, Ohio for the funeral. I was also able to reconnect (after too many long years and milestones missed) with some dear sorority sisters. We chatted just like it was old times and I...

On December 26, we traveled to Cleveland to celebrate Christmas with the Kilbane side of the family. We had such a great time sharing laughs, exchanging gifts and spending time together. The kids had a great time opening their gifts, Kaitlyn even got a special gift from "Mr. C" (from the movie Polar Express) and Brady was quite entertained with all the boxes, paper and the singing Rudolph. While we were there we visited the Cleveland History Museum...Kaitlyn was amazed at the size of the Dinosaurs! Carey had her first visit to Gene's Place (a restaurant Grandpa Kilbane likes in Parma) and we celebrate the new year in style with a kiddie party at Mapleside Apple Farm. Brian and I rung in 2011 at The Ritz-Carlton where they had an informal party in thier lounge. It was a great visit and we look forward to more visits in 2011! The Strongsville High School group's kids (Kilbane, Hauptman and Kuder)

This year was a very special Christmas in the Kilbane House. Kaitlyn has reached an age where Santa is no longer scary and she enjoyed seeing his and telling him what she wanted - which changed weekly, if not daily! Santa had to be quite creative this year since he couldn't bring her ALL that was on her list. I think she was quite happy with all the goodies she got which included Slinky Dog from the Toy Story movies, a miniature Rapunzel doll to join her other miniature princess dolls and the Magical Princess Castle (her BIG gift!) Brady wasn't sure what the heck was going on - he was very interested in the flying paper coming from Kaitlyn's direction. He got golf clubs, a basketball hoop, puzzles, an Elmo camera and a v-tech shapes and colors car. Next year, maybe he'll join his sister in all the excitement. Either way, there was lots of Christmas morning magic here today. Below is a small collage of what this morning looked like. I'll upload more when time allows!...

Our first BIG snow of 2010 comes on Christmas eve. It started snowing around 7am and didn't really let up most of the day. It got increasingly worse while we were at church and we almost didn't make it home (in case you didn't know, we live atop a HUGE hill...it was some rough going!). The kids had a great time playing in the snow - although Brady was content to just sit in the snow. Kaitlyn attempted to make a snow man and they each played on their playset in the backyard. It's still snowing now, so we may be back out in it tomorrow! Merry Christmas everyone...Enjoy! Kaitlyn liked throwing the snow at Mommy and Brady was content to either stand or sit in the snow - he has a hard time balancing and maneuvering in his snow suit and boots!

Kaitlyn had her class Christmas party on Wednesday. I was lucky enough to be able to attend and help out (I helped create and assemble the craft - a penguin picture ornament). They had such a great time and it was cute to see Kaitlyn with all her friends. Kaitlyn's Santa hat and craft baggie Getting ready to make the craft Getting the class picture taken - there were so many cameras, she didn't know where to look! Kaitlyn and 2 of her friends at school St. Paul Preschool class 2010-2011

Last night we decided to venture to Bellville, IL and check out the Way of Lights at the Our Lady of Snows National Shrine. It was a beautiful light display that was like nothing I have ever seen before. Usually, when you visit drive-thru light displays, there isn't much of a religious message or theme to the lights except for the constant - Nativity scene. This light display was completely devoted to the Christmas story - from the beginning with Michael the Archangel visitng Mary and Joseph and telling of the baby that was coming and that God sent him to bring love to everyone, to the middle where Mary and Joseph had to flee to Bethlehem and ride on a donkey and found no room at the Inn and had to stay in a stable where Baby Jesus was born and placed in a manger and was watched by the animals, shepherds and 3 wise men that came bearing gifts. It was a beautiful display with markings along the way with the bible verses from the story. They also had 2 different areas with animals fo...