Elena and Pat have been blessed with so many great friends. Their friends Shannon and Jessica came to visit the other day and Jessica passed along these beautiful pictures of John Paul.

7 YEARS OLD!

Brian & Collin turned 7 years old on the 13th! On Saturday they had a birthday party with a magician.  Here are some photos I snagged off Claire's cell phone:

An Auntie Visit

Claire & Monica came down from NJ/NY to spend the day with John Paul and Elena.

John Paul was officially baptized (Pat baptized him last week) and confirmed into the Catholic Church today.  He also got to hang out with his older siblings (except Ben who is too young to be in the NICU)

John Paul Kilner

The view from John Paul's room is the National Basilica of Immaculate Conception. What a comfort to have the Blessed Mother in view at all times!

Elena and John Paul

John Paul Kilner was born at 3:30pm on December 6, 2011.  John Paul weighed 8lbs 14oz at birth!  The big boy had a hard time coming out and his arm was broken in the process. Unfortunately, his troubles haven't stopped there.  He is having difficulties in mobility as well as breathing.  He is in the excellent care now of Children's Hospital.  Pat & Elena appreciate everyone's prayers and support.  John Paul was named after Blessed John Paul (Pope John Paul II) and we are asking everyone to pray to him for his intercession.

O Blessed Trinity,

We thank You for having graced the Church with Pope John Paul II and for allowing the tenderness of your Fatherly care, the glory of the cross of Christ, and the splendor of the Holy Spirit, to shine through him.

Trusting fully in Your infinite mercy and in the maternal intercession of Mary, he has given us a living image of Jesus the Good Shepherd and has shown us that holiness is the necessary measure of ordinary Christian life and is the way of achieving eternal communion with you.

Grant us, by his intercession, and according to Your will, that baby John Paul Kilner be restored to good health, hoping that he will soon be numbered among your saints.

Amen

Lucy's 5th Birthday

Kilner Halloween

Kilner with Vitz family: Ben is "Obi-Wan Kenobi", Madie is the tiger, Liam the skelton, and the ghost is Joe

Carney Halloween

Boler Halloween

Surprise!

Despite still looking 35, Mom did in fact turn 60 years old year and we her kids decided to surprise her with a little birthday bash.

The setup: Elena & I "bought" her and Dad tickets to a classical music concert at Strathmore Mansion.  She believe it.  So she and Dad had to swing by Elena's house to pick up the tickets on the way to the concert.

Waiting were close friends and almost all of her siblings.  The biggest surprise was the our Uncle, Father John, just so happened to be in town from Rome and was able to make the party. He hadn't told her that he would be in town.  And our awesome Aunt Liz hopped on a plane from Chicago to make the part for her big sis, all the Wauck sisters were together!

We had a great time.  Mom was very much surprised.  Food was yummy and Claire gave a humorous and funny toast.  Mom called all of her kids a bunch of liars, but I think she was happy we bluffed anyway :)

I stupidly forgot my flash for my camera in my haste to fill my car with a ton of things so I took very few photos but here are the highlights: