What were you doing at 9 p.m. on New Year's Eve?

The twelve of us were all home, in the little house, enjoying a quiet, peaceful evening.

Dad is enjoying the snacks that different children keep making in honor of New Year's Eve.

Dan is on the living room computer, writing a paper about Julius Caesar.

Patrick is on his basement computer after a 12 hour shift at work. Hopefully he will go to bed early and not ring in the New Year.`

Amy is on the living room couch, nursing a cold, and watching High School Musical 2.

Laura is in the girls' room, listening to something. It must be good if you go by the pretty smile.

Grace is also in the girls' room playing with Big Nutbrown Hare, from Guess How Much I Love You fame.

Mark looks like he was caught doing something suspicious, but he is just on my bed playing with monkey gears.

Matt is on the other side of the same bed (mine) watching something other than High School Musical 2, which is being shown on the living room tv.

Becky and I are making pepperoni bread for tomorrow's New Year's Day party.

Everyone is accounted for. I found the babies behind the chair in the living room. I am not sure what they are doing, but it looks as though Luke feels "caught".

New Year's Resolution

Sarah, over at Plainsong has offered her inspiration to us all as the New Year approaches. She calls it the Home Sweet Home Challenge, and what peace and joy we will bring to our homes as we work daily to achieve these wonderful goals.

Strive for these Goals
1. Invite the Blessed Mother to my home. . .daily, with a Memorare for the intention of asking her to visit me as she did her cousin, and to help me keep my eyes toward heaven.
2. Begin my day with a Morning Offering-to offer my all to God
3. Follow a simple organizational routine
4. Take on little things to help our household stay beautiful and joyful.
5. Write about household topics and link others' blogs who are motivational

The Rules:
1. Remember People are more important than things
2. Remember that messes look bigger than they are
3. Small things done in the home can add beauty
4. Stay real: we will never be perfect, especially with children around us
5. Keep a sense of humor
6. Forgive myself for imperfection and limitations, focusing on those things I do accomplish
7. Persevere

Friday Fun!

We met friends at the bowling alley yesterday for an afternoon of fun.

Gracie had to haul the big 6 pound ball around, give it a throw and then...

she waited.

SUCCESS!

Mark had an unusual form, but he got the job done.
This was the first time at a bowing alley for Mark and Grace, and it started in an exciting manner. We told the kids that they could warm up, so I found them the light balls, and when I was turned around, they both let the balls roll, down the same alley. At the same time, big boy Dan, let his practice ball go, his ball ran into the thing that knocks the extra pins down. Now, the owner of the alley came running out and suggested that these kids have a lesson on proper bowling etiquette. I was totally embarrassed.
Things went much more smoothly after they had a talking to.

Boys relaxing.

Laura's form.

Amy's form.

Danny's form. ( he only fell down once)

And the winner is-- I don't think we know--I don't believe anyone really knew how to keep score properly.

Our New Favorite Game

Santa brought this new card game to one of the s and I have to give it a great review. It is kind of like rummy but the difference is that there are ten different phases to complete, such as 2 sets of four, or 7 cards of one color. Everyone starts at "phase one" but as you play the game everyone is scattered throughout the 10 "phases". The person who successfully completes "phase 10" wins. It took us about 2 hours for five of us to finish the game.(that was with several babies' diaper changes and bottles)

We want to give this game "two up", especially me, whom you can see, won the game!

Wonderful, beautiful, aromatic homemade bread....

Today was Becky's first attemp at homemade bread, and it would be an understatement to say she succeeded.



It was so yummy, and one loaf was gone within 10 minutes of being removed from the oven.

Keep it up, Becky!!!

The traditional photo that answers the question...

"What would they rather play with, the stuff all over the floor, or the bucket all the stuff belongs in?"

Christmas With Ten Kids

(this time would be a.m.)

Danny, Grace, Amy, Luke and Mark

Matt

a mess

Kimberly

Grace

Luke, Grace, and Mark

Becky and Kimberly
Laura

Pat Jr ( the only one who had to work today)

Christmas Eve Gift Exchange

We enjoyed our annual family gift exchange. The kids traded names on Thanksgiving, and then picked out a gift for their special person.
Everyone wasn't ready,but Kim was ready with help from Pat,
and Grace was very happy with the choice Danny made for her.
All -in-all it was a complete success!

Christmas Eve-Eve....

also known as Christmas Adam (Adam comes before Eve).

I have a few photos to share of our Collins' Christmas party.

Kimberly loved her duckies,

and of course, whats a party without a horse and a sombrero.

The Collins' Family Party 2007

Our: We are ready to say the rosary photo...

I wanted to take a picture of the family gathered to say the evening rosary together. It doesn't happen very often that all 10 kids are here to recite the rosary.

It proved impossible to get a picture with everyone looking "o.k." so I decided to post all three of the photos.

Everyone looks wonderful in at least one of the pictures.

I also wanted to prove that the kids could all fit in the living room of the "little house" at the same time. Pat and I all also in the living room.
Being cozy is just wonderful!!!
I am sure Our Blessed Mother didn't mind!