Tough times

Its been a very rough couple months. I am sure everyone knows my father, Fiona and Gavin's grandfather passed away at the end of July. It was sudden. It was very sad. It was stressful. All those emotions and more. It has been rough to say the least. We have been working to clean up at my dads. For whoever didn't know my father, he was an exceptional craftsman. Fine woodworking, furniture, handmade clothing are among the things he made.. we learned he also made guns and punched tin.. made books, painted pictures... and more. Also he was a super friend. The past few months I have met people upon people coming to his house because they are interested in his handmade goods. People have come from miles away.. driven 2 + hours, sometimes longer.. because they wanted something my dad made. People I have never met have helped me sort thru his belongings, sitting with me at the table to reminisce about the good old days. Helping me unearth treasure after treasure along the way. I have taken great comfort in the love and adoration his friends had for him. He is extremely missed. I learned so much more about my dad, things I never knew. Oh, I wish I had known these things while he was alive. I wish I had one more chance to talk to him.. and tell him how cool his stuff is. I could go on (another blog post another time). Matt and myself have been keeping a lot of his stuff.. but also finding wonderful loving new homes for a lot of his stuff.. Here are just a few of his wonderful items in my possession..

table and chest with one of his fat lamps on top

My secretary - a gift to me when I bought my first house

spice chest

Fiona's chair

The kids are doing great.. Gavin has 4 teeth.. sleeping pretty good and eating like a champ!
Fiona is a great big sister.. her vocabulary grows every day. She loves to simg and is so happy. They miss "POPS" Fiona prays for "Pops in heaven" most every night.
Here are some pictures of our past few months..

giving Gavin snuggles

Hanging out with Hannah and Holly

Kisses for Gavin

with Grandpop

she is so cool

shucking corn with Daddy

Happy Gavin

Holding Gavin watching morning cartoons

post tub

Swinging fun

washing some clothes at the Goschenhoppen Folk Fest

Peaches and Ice Cream

Fiona loves her Daddy

And Fiona loves her corn

Claude is also doing well.. he misses his "POPS" too..

swimming with his girl Hannah

enjoying the park

relaxing

playing with Hannah

sweet Holly girl relaxing in the yard

Hannah diving in to her pool

did someone say "cookie"

June 2015

Things are moving right along here at the Ricci house. Gavin is in his room but not sleeping thru the night yet. Why does this stage seem to last forever in the moment? He must be a hungry boy because he gets up usually twice between 7pm and 6am. We love him regardless. He will be 4 months in 2 weeks, I can't wait to try some cereal and see if food stays with him longer.
Fiona is great, she is loving life and loving people. She had a bout with a double ear infection, but you would hardly know it! She is so loving and easy going. She is enjoying Faith Christian, but in 2 weeks Gavin and Fiona will have their own "Nanny" Our dear friend Tiffany is going to be watching them full time. I can't wait to see all the fun they'll have. Fiona will head back to Faith for Pre K in 2 years.. but for know we are excited for the kids to get some quality more personal time. Claude is still doing great, he loves to go visit his girlfriend Hannah. Marcus and myself, well we feel like we are in a whirlwind. We need sleep, pray for us!
Here are the latest pictures, enjoy!

Having fun at her cousin's first birthday

Eating some watermelon at Uncle John's picnin

Chillin'

Happy boy

Fiona and Gavin loving each other

riding the carousel at the Please Touch Museum

Smiling with her cute hairdo

Gavin talking to Mommy

Fiona swimming

a grassy pool

Clowning around during dinner

Mommy and Gavin relaxing at Amy's pool

Claude with Hannah and Holly, swimming on a beautiful Sunday

Lucky dog

tired dog

things happen so fast

Gavin has arrived! Tomorrow he will be 4 weeks old! Time flies! He came into this world quickly and with laughter. Gavin is a good baby, although he wants to feed every 3 hours around the clock. He is pretty quiet and relaxed. Gavin was born on Wednesday March 4, at 7:52pm. Gavin was 7lbs 3oz and 19 inches long. We all love him. Fiona loves to read, her vocabulary is certainly expanding, she is a very sweet little girl. Claude is enjoying life, ready to go for a car ride any chance he gets. Here are the latest pictures.

 GAVIN MARCUS

right after birth

getting weighed

and measured

Daddy holding his son

our beautiful boy

almost ready to come home

Claude and Fiona meeting their brother

inspecting her brother

Claude standing guard

wide awake

his first tubby

in deep thought

 

 

 

 

 

FIONA RUTH

playing the drums

hugging her Claude

reading some books

CLAUDE