Fathers's Day

Father's Day this year was very special. No only did we get to spend it with my Gramp, but also Papa Jon- all the way from Portland!! We went to church and out to a yummy brunch. The rest of the day was spent vegging out and it was awesome!

3 AMAZING Dads!

(L to R)

Conor, Gramp, and Papa Jon

Grandma Deb and Molly

Russ and Nani Donsie

Me and Libby

Silly Ally boo

Relaxing McNulty style.. always ready to hit the pool! ;)

Happy belated Father's Day to all you awesome dad's out there! I hope it was a good one.

Sorry I'm so behind.. we've been having way too much fun around here!!!

You Know It's Summer In Sactown When....

We're swimming and BBQ'n at Auntie Barbs!

The kiddos and I spent Friday having fun with Auntie Barb. It was a perfect day!

Auntie Barb and the kids

Quad Train

(L to R)

Ally, Molly, Russ, Libby

I'm not quiet ready to let them swim in Barb's deep end without floaties yet. They do great kicking and stroking. But, with 4 of them... the deep end makes my blood pressure rise! Our pool, at the gym, is 3 ft. deep and the best place from them to practice their skills. But, they had a blast floating around in their rings (only $1 at Bel Air!)!

Race ya!

(L to R)

Molly, Libby, Ally, Russ

Molly

Libby

Ally

Russ

Ally

Molly

Russ

Libs

Something about this seems vaguely familiar...

IN THE WOMB ORDER

*EXACTLY how they were in my tummy-weird- they did this on their own*

(L to R)

Russ (bottom), Ally & Libby (squished), & Molly (lounging on top)

AND, as always, sun block was applied liberally and often. Click here for more info.

Papa Jon and Grandma Deb drove into town Saturday for a week or so! We are so happy to have them and had a WONDERFUL Father's Day. I hope all you dads did too!

Today..... we're off on an adventure!

Happy Monday everyone!

Primate. Soulmate.

The many faces of Miss Elizabeth
&
Her beloved Earl

Libby is a seriously goofy and loving child. She's also VERY VERY shy. She marches to the beat of her own drum and always will. It's part of her charm. It comes as no surprise that the object of her affection is, one horribly ugly, and VERY old monkey.

It all began in Portland, early August of 2007. We were in town for a wedding. Conor and I were enjoying all the festivities of the weekend while the kids played with their favorite McNulty's! It was such a wonderful trip, and I remember it every time I look at Lib's tattered monkey, Earl.

So where did Mr. Earl come from? Well, that's a really good question. No one knows for sure. He was found in the basement of the McNulty's house along with lots of other toys that Papa Jon has saved over the decades! For Libby it was love at first site. The rest of us cringed. We could NOT figure out the attraction. The little dude had to be older than Conor. His fur was scratchy and his stuffing was hard and unforgiving. In fact, he didn't seem to have any redeeming qualities. None. Yet, Libby saw past all that and fell madly in love with the monkey inside the ugly mug. God love her. He has not left her side for nearly 3 years. No joke.

So how did our little monkey get his name? Well, that's the funny part. Conor's grandfather was named Earl and he felt the it was fitting (Conor names everything-cars and toys included). The name stuck and he's been a part of our family ever since. Conor's grandmother, Muzzie, is funny about it. I once asked her if the monkey's name bothered her. She smiled sweetly and said... "You know what they say... if you say their name they are never forgotten!" Well, if that's the case, Grandpa Earl's memory is alive and well in the McNulty house and never far from Libby loving arms.

Here's a few fun pics of Earl over the years. I could not stop laughing when I was working on this post. I did a face recognition in Picasa and he is EVERYWHERE! He's made it into ever family picture we've ever taken and many many more.................

Baby Libby and Earl- the only one who could calm her down!

Who needs a mattress when you've got Earl?

Family Vacations & Hotel Rooms

The Park

Cuddling on the sofa

Group photos

Pro Photos!

This one, taken by the AWESOME Torry James, cracks me up. It just goes to show how important Earl is in our family because Molly is the one holding him!

Don't forget Earl!

"It's okay Earl, mommy says you've had too many baths this week, I'll be back soon!"

The 4th of July- Earl sporting a swim suit

The Zoo
(I just mended that NASTY tail of his!)

Hanging out

Mommy is even a bit attached
- more like PARANOID that we may lose him! ;)

Penny and Earl

-Our Princess is even fond of the little dude! She doesn't even try to chew his face off like the rest of the stuff animals in the house. ;)

The other kiddos have their own objects of affection as well. Molly will not sit on the sofa or crawl into bed without her "mommy pretty." It's the blanket my mom knit for me while I was pregnant and on bed rest. This blanket was with me the entire journey, including the hospital. Molly claimed it as her own when she was about a year old. My mom is currently making her a new one, I wonder if she'll be willing to give up the old one!?!

Mo Mo & her mommy pretty

Around the same time Grandma Deb and Aunt Erin made the kids these WONDERFUL fleece blankets. Russ and Ally became quickly attached and have not spent a night without them in three years. They are also referred to as their "pretty's." We've tried to find a more MANLY name for Russ's but nothing sticks. LOL.. oh well!

Ally Boo Boo

Russell Man

I must admit, they come by these attachments naturally. I had my "boppy," a tattered old satin blanket, longer than I am willing to admit! Please tell me I'm not alone on that one?! Anyone? ;) Anyone?!!

Happy Monday everyone! I hope you had a great weekend.

Long live comfort items!

Cup Fever Is In Full Effect...

You might have heard...but there's a small sporting event that begins this Friday. Four years ago, only Molly was home to enjoy the opening games - so we're looking forward to this year and watching as a family. To date, reactions and levels of anticipation have been mixed:


The kids were fired up after receiving their official USA home kits from Uncle Erik a few weeks back. And by "fired up," we're referring to the bickering over whose jersey is whose (yes, they're identical, and no, that doesn't matter in this house for some reason...) and battle for who gets to sleep with the Dora soccer ball at night. It's a start, right?

Gen is not a sports fan. Yet, she was excited after hearing names like Kaka, Ronaldo, & Drogba thrown around. She was more than bummed after realizing they weren't new character names for the next Twilight book. Funny, though.... she seemed oddly relieved after a quick google search.... She may turn out to be a fan yet!


As for myself, cup fever is in full effect with only a few days to go. Looking forward to less sleep than usual (you have to watch the games LIVE - it's a tradition...) and enjoying it with the gang. Even the Grafs might get into it this year.

Some fun pix with the kids below. Hope you all enjoy the Cup coverage, and go USA!!!

-Conor

The triple meg - a rare feat.

Let's Go Fly A Kite

Let's go fly a kite Up to the highest height!

Let's go fly a kite and send it soaring
Up through the atmosphere
Up where the air is clear
Oh, let's go fly a kite!

I cannot get this song outta my head! Did I get it stuck in yours now too? Muahahahahaha! ;)

Soooo WHY is that tune ringing in my ear? Auntie Barb and I took the kids down to Ancil Hoffman park for a picnic today and some good old fashioned kite flying. The weather/wind was perfect and we all had a great time.

Brown bagging it!

(L to R)

Russ, Ally, Molly and Libby

Auntie Barb

Russell Man

Miss Molly

Little B

Ally Boo

-Really DID NOT want to fly her kite.. was afraid she would lose it. We DID eventually get it in the air but she was much happier to see it on the ground. She kills me.

Watching our BIG kids run around the open field was eye opening. I kept having flash backs to a few years ago, right after they started walking. When I got home I looked up this post (from Conor) and cannot believe how much they have changed. It's the same place but our kiddos are SO different. I love having this blog for that very reason! Aww yes, the nostalgic Gen is back, I guess my hormones are working again. ;)

"I wish, I wish, I wish... I could freeze my babies in time!"

-Mommy

I hope your all having a great week!



Ps: If you read the old post and your wondering... YES, Libby still DOES NOT go ANYWHERE with out Earl, her monkey. He's been part of the family since way back when. We've all grown to love the ugly little guy.