Titus Olympics

This summer we wanted to do something with just the Titus siblings and their spouses...something where we could hang out without any little interruptions  (if you know what I mean...wink, wink).  That is when we came up with Titus Olympics.  We all put in suggestions on games we wanted to play and split into teams for some friendly competition.

We played soccer, ultimate frisbee, and tennis raquet baseball at Cool Creek park, grabbed some lunch, then headed to my parents' house for bocce  ball, wheelbarrow races, egg toss, and volleyball.

Team Yellow: Olivia, Sam, and Sydney (20 wks. preggo)

Team Orange: Alexandria, Paul, and Jack

Team Blue: Alex, Luke, and Amanda

Team Pink: Madeline, Max, and Me

We were also called the injured team because we all hurt ourselves  

Almost everyone was able to participate, except Nicholas who wasn't able to come home from Spain, and Jonathan and Mollie weren't able to come the whole day, but did join us later in the day.  Everyone was a good sport...especially Sydney, who was 20 weeks pregnant, and still got right in there with the rest of us!

Playing bocce ball

Alexandria's beautiful follow-through

After games, we decided to have a little fun in the pool.  Max set up his camera and we did a group jumping shot into the pool.  It took a couple of times to get it just right.

Going

Going

Gone!

What a blast!!!  Can't wait for next year!!!

Birthday Baby

My sweet little Ella Bella turned one on July 16th.  She is getting more and more independent each day...which means she needs me less and less...sniff.  This time around has been more emotional for me.  I must be getting sentimental in my old age.  Not sure if it's because I realize how fast they grow up or because she has been so sweet that I just want to hold onto those days forever, knowing it won't always be that way. 

But, she was as cute as can be on her big day.  She loved her birthday balloons, but kept getting tangled up in them.  They would just follow her wherever she went.

We actually had some special visitors to help celebrate Ella's birthday...Sr. Mary Catherine and Sr. Martha Ann came down at the end of their home visit to stay with us for a night...we were sad Sr. Mary Rita wasn't able to come with them.  

We had Ella's birthday dinner the night before her actual birthday to allow enough time to celebrate, since the sisters had to leave by 6pm the next night.  

After a delicious dinner of burgers and brats, everyone was ready for the real celebration...the cake.  I love keeping with my family's tradition of making a small cake on the baby's first birthday.  There was such anticipation by the 'big' girls on how Ella might react to her cake.  Rose wanted to be the one to smash her hand in it if she didn't get messy enough herself.

The whole time we sang "Happy Birthday" to Ella, she did not take her eyes off that cake.

As soon as we handed over the goods, this child went wild.

She knew exactly what to do with that cake.  She gave us such a good laugh, that our abs hurt afterwards.  I love that she kept looking at us like, "what are you guys laughing at?!"  This will definitely be a memorable first birthday cake eating experience!

The next day, after we went to mass...the sisters are like celebrities here in Louisville since we don't get to see sisters very often...we spent the day just hanging out together.  It was so nice to have the sisters with us!  

It was a hot day that day, so we set up the sprinkler and the little blow-up pool in the backyard for the girls to cool off with.  

I don't know if we have used the blow up pool since the summer of 2010, so it was like a new toy to the girls.  They had a blast!  We enjoyed watching them laugh and play together for hours.

We couldn't find the air pump, so we had to use our rusty lungs :)

It was a wonderful visit and as always, seemed to go too fast.

Hugs!

Happy Half Birthday to Ava!

Looking back through all my blog posts, I realized I do not have any posts about Ava's last 2 birthdays (I think I at least sent pictures)!  Since today is her half birthday, I thought I would do a double birthday post about her last two celebrations.

For Ava's 3rd birthday, we had 3 celebrations.  She and I had a joint celebration in Carmel with my family.

We had a little family celebration on her actual birthday.

And we had a small party with two of her girlfriends at a "jumpy place" (as we call it at our house) called Pump it Up, then we went to her favorite restaurant, McDonalds, for lunch and ice cream.

She loved having the day  be all about her!

This year on Ava's 4th birthday, we went to the McCarthy's house in the afternoon to play and have cupcakes with friends, then we had a small celebration with just our family that evening.

For her party this year she chose to go to Chuck E Cheese.  We bought a birthday package and let her invite 2 friends along with her sisters.  Although the kids had a blast, it was a nightmare for the adults...as I think I have already told most of you.

We had been to Chuck E Cheese a couple of times before and it was never that bad.  But we usually went during the week around lunch time when most of the kids were in school. 

Ava's party was on a Sunday night, however the schools were off the next day.  It was packed the night of her party, so keeping track of 5 little kids was rather difficult.  I didn't think the employees were very organized and felt like I was running around like a chicken with it's head cut off!  

  I told the girls after this experience that we would not be having any more birthday parties at Chuck E Cheese.  Now I understand why my mom always hated that place!

At least the birthday girl had a great time.  That is all that really matters!

We love our little "Ava Booboo," as Paul calls her, and love to see our shy little girl shine on her special days!

Hugs!