Mallory and Josh dancing in the family room.

We went sledding and had a lot of fun on the hill. Josh does not prefer sledding. He says "too bumpy, it hurts my mouth."( I think he bit his tongue the first time down, and it soured him on the experience.)Mallory surveying the hill.

Erin giving us the high sign.

Bryan

Mallory and Yours truly... We had the fast sled

Ron's birthday. He chose the birthday homemade blueberry pie instead of cake.

Looking over his gift from the girls.

My too handsome men all ready for school.

ENJOY WINTER!

Funny Story.... We were having a conversation at the dinner table about the doctor who helped John Wilkes Booth after the assassination of Abe Lincoln.I believe this conversation began after an American Idol contestant with the last name Mudd was discussed. Such is dinner conversation at the Debono household, but I digress... We were talking about how he jumped to the stage following the assassination. Ron mentioned that he remembered he was reported to have said something in Latin before he ran but Ron could not remember what it was. Mallory pipes up " I know what he said in Latin: OUCH!" This makes much more sense to me (and apparently her) than "Sic semper tyrannis!" Latin for "Thus always to tyrants"

Hope everyone had a great valentines day. We had a really good day! First of all, Bryan had a soccer game at 7:30AM. While he was gone, we got things together to make special valentine cookies. The kids each got a little stuffed animal and a bit of candy which seemed to make them happy once a little trading was accomplished. We made our special cookies and decorated them, and hung out most of the day. We went to church where Erin sung with the youth choir. She had a solo to begin mass, and did great. I t was a bit of a learning experience for her because she missed one word in the song, and it made her really nervous. She does not usually feel nervous when singing so it was a new experience. It was a very safe way to learn that nerves don't kill you and mistakes don't kill you. Her choir director is really nice, and made her feel better, and as the mom and dad, we were very proud of her!

Erin getting ready for church. Can you see her in 6 years?

Ron and I are usually low key on Valentine's day, sometimes we have a date night and celebrate. We always do give each other cards. This year we had a date night at home! Josh and the girls set the table in the afternoon complete with flowers and candles. We fed the "staff" and then they became our servers. It was their idea, and what a blast! We cooked all the food, and they put aprons on and name tags. They sat us at our table and presented us with the menu for Debono La Magnifik (that is the name of the Restaurant). We were serve by our fine wait staff and our wine steward Bryan(with suit coat and tie and fake mustache). We ate steak with all the right side dishes and the kids gave us an uninterrupted dinner was our finest gift.Ron and the Staff of the four star restaurant, Debono La Magnifik Our Table The Menu opens to reveal the items to be served.Our wine steward. He spoke with an accent.

LOOK AT ME NOW!

Josh had his pediatric cardiology appointment today, and it went great! They said his cardiac function is good and the next appointment is 1 year! They answered our questions and were suitably impressed with Josh. He is 42 inches tall and 38 pounds. He has grown 6 inches in height since we brought him home! WOW! Seeing the cardiologist is a stressful day for me. I think it is a mild version of Post traumatic stress ...I worry without good reason. Josh Rocks, and as the very traumatic time after we came home gets to be more past than present, it gets a lot easier. Josh certainly is a different kid.

I was going through my disk and I found this older picture of my sisters and my dad and me. I love this picture. my family is really something special. I love you guys.

He organizes his cars like Bryan used too! Brothers at heart!

More Shots of Josh's birthday.

Mallory was making blueberry muffins, and Erin joined her for the photo op.

Here are some pictures from last week. We did some baking, and played in the

snow and shoveled. The dogs are always facing outward... The wheaton terrier is my mom's and dad's... (See, she is doing great, but she misses you as we do!) It has been a bit of a tough winter here. The snow and cold have been snowier and colder than usual.

Anyone can tell this is a rousing version of "happy birthday to you" Josh's favorite song especially when he is he guest of honor.He really enjoyed his birthday this year. He has a level of awareness that makes it much different than last year, now that he is a big four year old as of January 8. He has a genuine appreciation for celebration and gifts. It is so fun. That night when he went to bed, instead of his usual songs he asked me to sing "happy birthday" again...