We're BACK!!!

Ok.... so it's been a little bit of a hectic winter at the McLaughlin house. We had a great holiday as seen in the photo's below. Santa was very good to the boys and we all had some very relaxing down time at home. Unfortunately, the day before we were all getting ready to head back to school and work, Connor got sick. He was diagnosed with an ear infection, strep throat and scarlet fever! Although he was put on antibiotics immediately, he got worse instead of better, with a fever that lasted ~9 days. Additional wacky symptoms also emerged, and we ended up taking him to the ER at CHOP (Children's Hospital of Philadelphia), where he was admitted. They thought initially that he had Kawasaki disease... but in the end that was ruled out and it was "complications of scarlet fever". He eventually made full recovery - but it was not a good way to start a new year! Our home computer was also sick with a virus - that wiped out my Photoshop software and had us offline for a while. Hence I have been quite delinquent with my blog!

So here are some photos from the past 3 months.

Above is Aunt Beth and Connor taking a snooze on Christmas Eve.

Connor and Liam on Christmas morning.... Liam got Guitar Hero!

Connor on Christmas morning opening his Wii Fit!

Aunt Beth opening a gag gift... a box, wrapped inside a box.... wrapped inside a box... you get the idea!

All 3 holiday McLaughlin boys above!

Liam turned 10 in January but unfortunately for him his birthday was right in the middle of his brother's illness. So we celebrated his big day several weeks later - at Dave & Busters. Below is Liam with his friends Dillon and Max.

Below is Liam and Nick.

Liam and John (with Nick pretending to hit Liam)

Liam has never been a fan of cake... so this is his big birthday cookie!

And here's our little Patrick also enjoying the party!

In February, Connor's class had their winder concert. It was a beach / water theme which is fun in February!

Here is Connor and his buds John, Bryan and Jake.

And here's John and Connor jammin' on Guitar Hero!

Another cute pic of Patrick - looking so very cool!

The boys and I went to the Franklin Institute on President's day.... below is Liam trying out a surfing machine.

So that's it from us for now. I will try to update again soon.... Happy SPRING!!!!