Callahan

I have been meaning to update my blog for a long time, just don't think of it.

Callahan is almost 1/2 way into his Junior year and doing great. It is time to start thinking about college. The boy is being recruited hard due to taking the SATs in 8th grade.

Many of the top schools have invited him to visit and to be honest he hasn't shown much interest yet.

The US coast Guard Academy contacted us a couple times and we scheduled a visit. They were coming to Navy Pier for their annual Christmas tree event for charity and were hosting an open house on the Coast Guard Ship Mackinaw

I figured it was time for him to see what is out there in the engineering field

ChristmasTreeShipHistory

Callahan agreed to check it out.

Well the boy was in his glory. Cal is an avid boater, gifted engineer- can build or fix anything and has a passion for engines.

The Mackinaw is an ice cutter on Lake Michigan....like a giant big boy toy

It was really cool and Cal loved everything about being on the ship and

 now has interest in the Academy...it has a top tier engineering program. It is also nearly impossible to get in to. It has a 16% acceptance rate...only accepts the top of the top academically and physically. You have to have a strong background in Math and Science which Cal has. He joined the health club is working out hard

We will continue to check out all Engineering Schools but in the meantime its nice to see him excited about his future

Asking Katie to Homecoming 2014

Callahan missed the entire week of school due to a horrible virus. By Thursday he decided it was time to ask Katie to homecoming-2 days away. He planned it out a while ago but just wasn't bouncing back. So my sweet sick boy, 100+ tea candles, roses and candy went to Katies house and set it all up.

It went off perfectly, Katie was super surprised. They have been dating almost 2 1/2 years so she knew they were going to HC together, but with Cal sick she wasn't expecting a special asking! Cal is a true romantic and still makes things special.

Jerry, Katie's dad was drying to use his blow torch...men and gadgets.

We all hid in the backyard waiting for Katie to get home from 

choir.

again...Cutest couple ever!!!!

Two blissful years

Callahan and Katie are celebrating their 2 year anniversary today.

Hard to believe they have been together since the age of 13

To celebrate they are having dinner at Wildfire in Oak Brook, then seeing a movie. They even have their own chauffeur . No, TJ isnt joining them for dinner or the movie

Callahan turns 15

Cal age 2

Callahan Patrick McGinty turned 15 years old om March 16, 2014.

This sturdy little boy is now a 6 foot tall 135 lb Freshman. Cal was such a cute devilish and clever little boy.

He is more sweet than devilish these days with a cute and spunky red haired Irish girlfriend  of almost 2 years named Katie. Their birthday's are just 2 days apart. 

Callahan is still a creepy genius...I say creepy because he knows everything about everything. It's just not right.

My sweet Callahan made the Freshman volleyball team at GEHS. He has his 1st game next week. they practice M-F 3-6pm and Sat mornings 8-12

Happy Birthday my little man...words can't convey how much I love you.

Always stay sweet little man

the Week leading up to Christmas-My Boys

The last week has been busy. TJ had a Christmas promotional shoot for Family Values. They made cards for seniors to be delivered to retirement homes and read to the residents

 Karrick had his annual Christmas sing at school. For the 5th year in a row Karrick is front and center...the peanut row

We made gingerbread houses and decorated our tree. Our amazing Concord fir fills our house with the smell of citrus and pine....just amazing!

I even cut off some branches and sent them home with Katie for her mom. She loved them and brought some to work. Crazy tree..love it

My Cal and katie. Cals been out with his buddies a lot...sledding and attending an all nighter game night. 
He took the SAT last weekend

 Karrick's dance classes are in full swing...7 a week all hip hop. He loves to freestyle around the house. We have our first competition in March in Madison WI

 The TJ got new head shots with Socko this week, he looked adorable and Im hoping the picture are just as adorable. After the shoot we stopped in at Lily's Talent Agency to pick up TJ's paycheck and the print agent says "Oh my. you're so tall I love it" Do you want to do live (runway) shows?" A giant YES! came out of TJ's mouth. That is exactly what you want to hear from your agent. This was the first time we met this agent as TJ does mostly on camera stuff

 A cute picture of all the hip Hop boys

We are all looking forward to the next 2 weeks of Christmas break

My sweet Callahan and Katie

Callahan had a plan to ask Katie to Homecoming, but one thing after another all week prevented it from happening. Today was the day, but TJ had to work (filming) then by the time we got home it was raining, then it was dark.

Cal decided to just do it in the dark. He walked to the nearby 48 acre park and waited while I picked Katie up. We went to the park with a story of dropping something off at Karrick's buddy's house. I parked at the last house that butts up to the park. I asked Katie to walk with me. About 50 feet in the pitch dark park Cal was standing all dressed up holding Roses and Candy. such a simple idea but it was fabulous. Totally took Katie by surprise...she cried, Cal had the biggest smile and my pitch dark pictures turned out great

These 2 are just adorable and Katie's giant Bow was a perfect touch for the photos

Cal and Katie walked the block and a half home together in the dark

My Cal and Katiebug

We had the pleasure of Katie's company the last 3 weekends in Whitewater with us. She is just a delight to be around, totally down to earth and fun.

Her and cal were total troopers when it came to me and my camera. All pictures were spur of the moment. I even invited myself on thier nature walk to collect flowers for Katie's crown for the Renassaince Faire. I love a girl that won't gripe because she doesn't have make-up on

  

 These pictures below were shot in Vivid mode. They turned out super cute, I wasn't sure how they would look becasue Im not a fan of the over use of the saturation button. I think they look natural with a giant pop

Never under estimate the power of a pick-up truck

Nightly board games that went on for hours