Memorial Day Weekend, Birthdays and Baby Hannah!!!

I’m playing catch up yet again with all that has been going on. Where do the weeks go?! Here it is already Summer and the end of June. Again, I apologize that this is such a long post!
Starting with Memorial Day Weekend. That Saturday we enjoyed a picnic at our friend’s Nick and Angela’s house. Ellia got to play with Isabella who she hasn’t seen since New Years and also Simeon who is the son of our friends Anthony and Kendra. We got to also meet Simeon’s new sister Novena for the first time. What a cutie. Ellia loves babies so she was super excited. The kids had a blast chasing each other in the yard and just being silly kids.


Sunday was our first time at the pool. Ellia really didn’t want to stay in the baby pool this year and loves to go into the big pool to swim. She sees all the other kids going in the big pool so she just wants to be like them. That evening we had Nana, Papa, Aunt Kelly and Uncle Ron over for dinner. This may very well be the last time we entertain at our little place… sigh. Poor Kelly was anxiously awaiting the arrival of Baby Hannah. We went out for ice-cream and then took everyone to drive by our new place!

On Memorial Day, Ellia and I met up with Aunt Jen, Alex and Samantha in the morning to watch the Bethel Park Memorial Day parade. It just wasn’t the same now that the band and majorette director have retired that were there for what seems like forever since I was in school. The parade hasn’t been the same for a couple of years now without my grandfather proudly displaying his Marine Corps gear and marching by. But we remembered him and thought of all the years he did march and the legacy he has left to us with stories of his bravery for his country and family. Man was it surreal to watch my daughter watching the majorettes march by. I was feeling really old since I realized it has been over 10 years now since I marched in that uniform. The kids enjoyed waving to everyone and collecting the candy that was thrown to them. We tried to stick around for the Memorial Day service but it was 90 degrees out and the kids didn’t want to sit still. So we headed to Mimi and Papa’s house for lunch. The kids then took a dip in the little pool. It was a nice relaxing day spent with family. That evening Ellia played sidewalk chalk with Dada and got to go to the park. The weekend felt like a mini vacation.

The following weekend (June 4th) was Kelly’s due date and also Ellia had a birthday party to go to for her friend Harry at school who was turning 2! I took Nana with me to the party while the guys went golfing. It was so cute to see the kids play with each other outside of school.

We then met up with Aunt Kelly and Uncle Ron to get baby Hannah out and about. We had dinner at the Waterfront and then walked around to shop. Ellia enjoyed throwing pennies into the fountains we passed. Poor Kelly! That little Hannah just was not ready to come out! Sunday we headed to the pool again and Ellia tried out her new floaters. She also enjoys painting the sidewalk area with pool water. It is amazing how entertaining a bucket and paint brush can be.

Thank goodness we didn’t have to wait for baby Hannah too long… or did we! Kelly started having consistent contractions on Monday afternoon and headed over to Magee. Her water had started to break and so they kept her there. We all headed over to the hospital that evening in anticipation. Ellia was so excited and kept herself busy in the waiting room coloring pictures for Hannah. Unfortunately, little Hannah was not about to make an appearance that night. We headed home (with a disappointed Ellia) and needless to say didn’t get much sleep since we were awaiting Nana or Papa’s call to say the baby was here. The next day, still no Hannah. Kelly had been in really early labor on Monday and they would have sent her home if her water hadn’t started to break. So June 7th (Korey’s 21st Birthday) little Ms. Hannah showed up at 11:36am, 6lbs, 12oz and 21 inches long! Again, unfortunately, Ellia wasn’t able to meet Hannah right away but I will post later on when she did! Hannah is just beautiful. Hair like her Daddy and looks like her Mommy. We are so very proud of Mama Kelly. What a true little blessing Hannah is.

After all that with little sleep and exhaustion from emotions running ramped, we headed that evening to Station Square to celebrate Korey’s 21st Birthday at Joe’s Crab Shack. Can you believe he didn’t even get carded? Well WE made sure they carded him! Totally embarrassing Korey, but that is what family is for. Again, I felt old as I remembered that when I met Kevin, Korey was only 10 years old!!! Ellia and Magerie loved the dancing fountains, watching the trains go by and the rides that were around the square.

It was a crazy but wonderful day on all accounts! I will have to get moving on all the other things happening too. So keep your eye out for post about Ellia meeting Hannah, Mimi’s birthday, Magerie and Garrett’s birthday parties and Fathers Day. We are getting too close to the 4th of July too. I got to get a move on it. Oh and we are closing on the house next week as well! Exciting stuff always happening. Praising the Lord for his many blessings.

“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18