So, when Mom goes to town, the chipmunks come out.

Only, these guys weren't really interested in eating the pecans...

(Don't worry, I really have the situation completely under control)

Franciscan Travels

Behold the journal of two weary travelers, and because they are weary it is scattered, misspelled, out of order, sideways, and quite wong e i rong dong. I have discovered a beautiful place in Franciscan, full of good and strange people, just the kind I like.

Carmen and I (thank you speech class professor) were able to visit Jam over Easter weekend and participate in many Triduum celebrations. We have come back with many inside jokes (Free Coffee!!), and a renewed spirit, you might say. I was able to see Matthew Rudolph, and I talked to Jenny Bender and Mark Bentz, who is a God-filled seminarian well on his way to holy priesthood. We cooked feasts, became either psychiatrists or mentally ill, watched "Horton Hears a Who" and a home video, danced, prayed, and more, some of which is captured below.

Thanks for the awesome visit Von Steuben Family!

Here lies a brilliant shot of a large chunk of the Franciscan Campus.

Yvonne, Regina, Jaime, and Carmen all dressed up for Easter Vigil Mass - sorry it is a little dark.

And yes, Jason, we happened to pass Skyline Chili! I was so excited, but unfortunately, I think it was closed. Is there just one Skyline Chili, or is it a chain? Either way, I took a picture to prove that I had been there. Francis, I thought of you lots over Easter and I love you! And I love my Reyes nephews! And I love you all!

Schmickling and Psychiatrist

In order to get Jaime to smile for some pictures, you apparently have to schmickle her.
(Kyle, Jaime, and Yvonne)
See Katherine, I am faithful even in the midst of trials.

The Tomb of the Unborn Child - a beautiful memorial and prayer spot with an eternal flame. In the tomb are several aborted babies that were recovered from dumpsters.

Our undeclared mascot for the trip

The above shots all came during the game "psychiatrist" which was some of the most fun ever. People in this game tend to look stumped or gleefully in possession of a secret.

Like Jaime happens to be in possession of a certian secret that has a connection between her, Sam and a Pantry... No, I shall never forgive you.

Okay, I forgive you. Love you.

I apologize for making anyone watching this have a neck cramp. Apparently I still have to figure out what position the camera needs to be in to produce a straight video. Anyone know how to rotate a video clip?

Kyle and Jaime - keep up the good work, but please to not get dropped on the head.

The Great St. Louis Arc welcomed us to our over-halfway-home point, and we were lucky enough to have a clear day to see it on. When we saw it on the way to Franciscan, the top was shrouded in cloud. Our amazing Easter Feast that the girls put on. It truly is amazing what they can do in their tiny hall kitchen with their borrowed dishes and recycled silverware.
Jam and Yvonne looking very stuffed.
Jaime. It is interesting that the eggs are pointing opposite directions.
Steve with his household egg. Hmm, shiny.

Strange ...
















brothers......

The knights are advancing....
Friends and foes might be lurking behind every corner..

There seems to be an ever constant war being waged in our house. It is full of battles between the meanest and the greenest. Capt. Pohn Jollie and Sir Andrew sometimes fight together, and other times against each other.

The setting up of troops is elaborate, well-planned, and usually takes a looong time.

Aerial shots of the battle:

So what happens when Mom cuts old jammies into rags?

It is so hard being the youngest.

The Battles We Fight

The armies slowly advance toward eachother on the great plains of Stained Carpet, one side consisting of noble knights and steeds, while the other is full of Persians and Indians. Each side is a formidable enemy. Soon they will be pitted against each other in battle, a battle that may change the fate of the world. Who will emerge the victor?

Whoever John Paul wants!

Check out my Slide Show!

Boogies

Here's just to let all of you away from home know........
That we haven't changed much.

The Almost Perfect Gentleman

Who says little boys can't have tea parties? Donny Joe, your Uncle is ready for you to bring your tea-tools so you two can be tea-totalers over Christmas break.

PS. Sorry - it is far from perfect. It has no sound, and the lighting is really bad. I'll work on that.

Andrew's 14th Birthday!

Wow! Can you believe this guy is 14?! I can - he looks every inch of it. Here he is posing with Papa Benedicto, which is probably the nearest he'll get for a couple of years. Sniffle, lucky Jamie. Anyway, at least he is all set for a future World Youth Day, rigged out with a big picture of Pope Benedict, Scythian for those hours of standing and waiting, and his trusty radio hat to tune him into the EWTN Radio so he can hear what the Pope is saying - loud and clear!

You can't blow out candles if you don't have a little bit ó Pohn Jollie spit to go with it!Happy Birthday Drew!

While I'm at it, some Fall Break pics for the older girls' viewing pleasure

Pohn Jollie, waiting for his birthday to come.

After the birthday (with cool expression belying none of his satisfaction). It's a mommy dragon, can you tell?

With faces like these, I figured we could just leave the ice cream scoop inside.



Our finished creation.

Steubie U

Jamie's lab, home to her lab-cat.

An in-the-dorm dining room. I coveted it. I can't wait to graduate so I can cook again.

A new in-dorm chapel.

Jamie's little room. It has Jamie written all over it, simple and fresh and bright: very stylish for a freshman's room.

We must be sisters . . .