On the Homefront

Mr. and Mrs. de la Pena

Bridget and Ray tied the know this past Saturday surrounded by immediate family and close friends.  The liturgy was beautiful and the joy of the couple was palpable.  In this picture they are wearing traditional wedding leis that Ray’s parents brought from Hawaii.  These pictures only capture a few special moments of this amazing day.

Stephanie, Julia, Lori and Gina

My lovely friend Gina hosted a long overdue get together for some girlfriends this past Sunday.  It has been too long since we have all gotten together.! It was the perfect afternoon for cookies and coffee and chatty- cold, wet and rainy outside.

Julia and Gina's adorable son, Tommy

Julia and Tommy, Stephanie and Monica

Jennifer, Lori and Karen

Aunt Jennifer wanted to bring in the big 3-0 with a bang so she planned a big trip to Philadelphia for the Army/Navy Game.  We were lucky enough that she and Uncle Dave flew through DC so we could have a morning to celebrate with her.  (Her actual birthday is November 19th, but this was her weekend to celebrate!).  These are photos of her belated birthday brunch at our home.

But we wanted to say Happy Thanksgiving!

Umm... do you see Lori or Karen in this photo?

Post race- tired, but happy!

Lori's first turkey

Tim and Fr. Brendan digest their dinner

Aunt Karen and Big Anthony

Grandpa

Uncle George and Aunt Janelle

Tim and Lori

Avalee

Monica

Pop and Brendan

Myriam and Therese

Grandma decorates gingerbread houses with the kids

Thank you to everyone for a wonderful Thanksgiving!  We loved having guests- this is the first year since we got married that we have not traveled for this holiday.   We loved having family and friends here and we hope to repeat the festivities next year!

The happily engaged couple- Anthony and Karen

While hiking in Great Falls on Sunday morning, Anthony surprised Karen with a beautiful ring and romantic proposal.

She said yes!

The toast

They came over Sunday afternoon to share the good news.  Luckily, we had bubbly ready to pop!  Jennifer and Dave were still in town, so we all celebrated with champagne, wine, dinner and delicious cake made by my dear husband.  (He said he made it for my birthday, but I decided it was an all occasion cake!).

The happy bride-to-be holds Monica

Big Anthony (with Therese on his shoulders)

Kirsten and John Marcolin (Godparents), Lori, Tim, the girls and Fr. James and Fr. Brendan

On Saturday, October 23rd, Fr. James Moore baptized Monica Rose McGovern.  She is officially a member of the Church and free from Original Sin.  Fr. James is a close friend of ours- he went to Notre Dame with my older sister is now a Dominican priest. We are so happy that he will be in Washington, DC, for the next four years while pursuing a doctorate in liturgical music at Catholic University.  Fr. Brendan is a priest from the Archdiocese of Chicago who attended Catholic University with Tim and I.  He is also in Washington, DC, for a few years before returning to Chicago.  We were so blessed to have them both celebrate the sacrament for Monica.  Our good friends, John and Kirsten Marcolin, are Monica’s Godparents.  They are an amazing couple raising seven beautiful children who inspire us, pray for us and with us on this journey of marriage, parenthood and a sacramental life.  We are so grateful to all who came and celebrated with us!

Happy parents

Fr. James, Fr. Brendan and Monica

Receiving the chrism

Fr. Brendan with Monica

Fr. James with Monica

Fr. James annoints Monica

Joy!