Niñas, niñas

Hello again and welcome to Day 2 of re-introductions.  Today, we are featuring Doyle Dames #2 and 3.  Below is Grace of the many names.  I call her Maggie G, Baby G, Gracie and Graciela (Graciela is my personal favorite).  She is a rough and tumble, spunky 5.5 year old.  I think it's fair to say that she is responsible for the development of most of our especially creative parenting/ survival efforts.  She has a great sense of humor that her sisters don't always appreciate.  She loves to be outside and enjoys animals of any kind.  She has recently started asking some interesting and slightly random questions.  My favorites center around the amount of gas in the car, whether we need gas, what would happen if we ran out of gas etc.  She also wants to know when I'm going to take her to Paris (not sure where that came from).  I'm trying to steer her toward Ireland or Spain but who knows--maybe we'll make it to all three.

The bottom of Grace's Easter dress.  Technically, it's an Italian scene but it reminded me of her dream of going to Paris so we'll pretend.  Chris voted against matching dresses this year so they all had their own unique dress for the first time ever.

Amelia Rose "Mia", age 8.  The picture above was my favorite of her birthday photos.  Mia is a quiet, sensitive kid.  She has been telling us for awhile that she plans to be a nun and has been asking me about the different orders.  (Grace wanted to be a nun for awhile as well but has decided she doesn't want to live too far from us--we'll see how long that lasts).  Mia is a spiritual kid who readily participates when we say the rosary and always has a list of intentions ready at the end of the day.  She is thoughtful and generous and loves it when she can spend time one on one with big sis' Madeleine.

A few bonus photos of precious moments in VA.

At the top of the Woodstock tower.  It was a gorgeous day.  We saw hang gliders, blue skies, spring flowers and Camp Kreitzer from the top.  Grace got nervous on the drive up as she looked at the sheer drop on one side of the road and I had respect once again for my crazy siblings who have done the "Tower Run" more than once.

Photo by Mia on the walk back from the tower

Me and G

My little brother, David, soccer coach extraordinaire.

Chris had a great time helping him out at this practice.

Finally, best buddies, Lauren and Sophie.  We are at my sister Tara's right now and the two of them are inseparable.  Despite appearances, they have a lot in common.

OK that's all for now.  Ciao.