Patterson Reunion

We had a family reunion last Saturday at my mom's house. This is her mom's side of the family (Patterson). It was a great day with way too much yummy food. Everyone stayed around to watch the Buckeyes win against Michigan State. The boys played outside w/the two other kids. They are my distant cousin's kids so I'm not sure what relation that makes them to each other. Let's just call them cousins- but I'm sure someone knows the correct terminology. We were so glad the weather was sunny and made for a great day outdoors.

The boys & Ellie had a good time w/ Uncle Brian. They made these pine trees a "forest" and kept hiding from everyone in there.




Taking a rest in the truck


We missed all those that couldn't be there.

Fall 2008

It has been busy around here again. Tad started a new trial Oct. 1st. We're hoping it will be over in time for trick or treat next week so he can go w/ the boys. It hasn't been as rough of a schedule as last winter. We were able to get down to visit my grandparents before it started. Here are a few pictures of the boys with their great-grandparents MeMaw & PaPaw


The boys love spending their days outside with this crisp autumn weather. It seems all they want to do is go outside. You'll notice the boys are supporting their Buckeye clothes. It was a Saturday and that seems to be typical attire around here. They are hilarious about the Buckeyes. When they are watching the game w/ us they keep cheering "Go Buckeyes" and throw their arms in the air. Now when they are giving highlights on the news or talk about the next week game they catch it on tv and do the same thing. We watch the news at lunch and they crack me up b/c when the football update comes on w/ coach Tressel talking about the upcoming game and practice they start yelling- "Mom- its the Buckeyes. Yes- Go Buckeyes" It was cute the first day,..now it just cracks me up they do it everytime. I guess we're teaching them something.

Brotherly Love


Connor

This past weekend we were able to start the leaf raking process. We just have to get them to the curb and the city takes them from there. That is always a chore in itself. We seem to get more than our share living next to the woods preserve.
The leaf pile was taller than they were. They loved it!!
Peyton (red shirt) Connor (stripe)





Peyton showering Connor w/ leaves- Connor didn't think that was too fun

Tad took down a tree in our backyard. It made for a great stack of firewood we'll be able to use this winter. Here are a few pictures. The boys tying ropes around the tree.

Summer Wrap-Up, 1st Haircuts, and New Ohio Friends

It is hard to believe summer is coming to an end. We had a very fun filled summer, especially when we thought Tad would be tied up with trial preparations. We miss our time at the beach and the pool but have good memories for the photo albums. The boys love being outside. Here in our backyard is where we spend most of our days or evenings. They will run around forever until you tell them it is time to go inside.

The boys first experience with a sprinkler...at the end of the summer.


We now have my brother living back here and that is wonderful. Tad and Brian have already spent one Saturday on the boat fishing. This past weekend they enjoyed a guys night out downtown catching a movie. I think it is good for both of them. We always love to have cookouts. Our backyard is our favorite place during the warm months. One weekend when my grandparents were in town we hosted dinner and celebrated Brian being back.

The boys wanted to show Uncle Brian their Roller Coaster

Peyton

Connor- being cheesy for the camera

We loved having a 3 day weekend w/ Tad. We really had no big Labor Day weekend plans but we cheered on the BUCKEYES Saturday with their opening game. The boys got their first haircuts and did a pretty good job sitting still for the barber. Yes at 2 yrs and 9 mo. they finally had enough hair for a cut...and we really only needed the sides and the top trimmed. We bought a new dishwasher- never a fun task. Unfortunately the trial Tad is working on next kicks up this week. It is slated for Oct. 1st so these next few weeks will be crazy hours for him.
Connor- (Peyton volunteered him to go first)

Connor not so sure about the clippers at the end

Peyton- he didn't keep the cape on for long

We are so excited that one of our best friends, Leslie and her family moved to Ohio!!! We have plans to see them often. We already went there this week and in one hour we can get door to door. I love it!! Her children are so precious. It will certainly help to have her here especially when 2 trials are going to consume Tad's time until the first of the year.

Next post- a beach re-cap. It is taking forever to go through all the pictures we took....

Beach Boys

We just got back from a great trip to Calabash, N.C. with my sister's family and my mom. It was a great week and lots of fun to have all the kids together. It was the first time to have the boys at the beach. We got home late Sunday night and I've been trying to get everything unpacked and washed up. I finally had time to upload some of these pictures. There are more to share so I'll work on that later and write more about our trip during naptime today.

Congrats Uncle Brian

We are so excited my brother Brian is moving home. The kids can't wait. They don't understand that he isn't coming until this weekend. My brother has been working for Deloitte since he graduated college and living in Dallas. We were happy for his career but hated that he was so far away. Now we have both!!! He was ready for a change and got 2 great job offers here in Columbus. We're not surprised. He took a job w/ a private equity company in Downtown Columbus and we are all so excited for him. This is a great opportunity for anyone at his age, and especially with this company. It is even more of a blessing that he can do this for his career but it is located around family. He is really excited about all this has to offer and we are counting down the days for him to be here. This weekend my dad is flying down to help him move home and they should arrive on Sunday. Way to go Uncle Brian!! Your nephews are jumping up and down. Now if we could work on getting my sister back from Florida we'd all be here. We won't give up on that idea either. Who'd think Brian and I would both be back from the South? Guess you never know where you're headed.

July seems to be going quick and Facebook

July seems to come and go each year so quickly. I guess b/c we get into our summer routine by then and also fill our days with family visiting and friends for playdates at the pool and parks. We were so lucky to have my brother home for almost 2 weeks. The boys love their Uncle Brian. They wouldn't leave him alone every time he was around. We had a cookout with my parents and Brian at our place and then went to see fireworks too. Last year the boys loved them so we thought this year we'd get closer and actually go down to where they let them off instead of just staying in our neighborhood. Not exactly the best idea. They were scared at the first one. We had to turn it into a game calling them rockets shooting up into the sky. Still I think Tad and I did more talking to the boys to calm them down than actually watching the fireworks but it was still fun to be with family. We are leaving for the beach in a couple weeks and Tad's work schedule freed up a bit that he can go along now too. We'll be meeting my sister and her family there. The cousins are going to have so much fun in the sand. Connor and Peyton would live outside if you let them. They love the sandbox, the parks, and playgrounds. I hope we have good weather and can take lots of pictures. That is about all that is going on here. Just playing and swimming these days.

One more thing. Tad and I joined facebook this past weekend. We love it. We have both found so many people from the past on it. We actually fired up the laptop so we both could get on the computers at the same time. I know we're nerds but that's ok. We're having fun.

June 26 - Four years ago

We were blessed with the most beautiful day for an outside wedding and reception July 26, 2004. The following two years brought about changes - selling a condo, buying a house, having twin boys, selling an SUV, buying an Odyssey. Now we are enjoying blessings of being a healthy family of four, living close to family, and experiencing life with toddlers. Our vehicle/entertainment/vacation/dining out schedule has changed dramatically to the "kid friendly" options but we wouldn't change it for anything. Tad did surprise me though with a fun night out. He arranged for my mom to come stay with the boys and we went for a night around town. We had a lovely dinner in a "real restaurant", saw a movie, went to grab dessert on a patio, and stayed at the new Hilton for the night. The next morning we went out for breakfast before returning to our reality waiting on us. Thanks Tad for being a great husband. Happy Anniversary!

Branson Fashion Show

Check out these hottest trends modeled by Connor, Peyton, Jacob & Austin. Special guest appearance by Vern & Clark. Threads supplied by Fashion Designer Aunt Stephanie.

Little Lamb Peyton


Viking Connor

Superhero Batman/Superman Austin

Darth Jacob

Puff the Magic Peyton

Zorro

Peyton as Mickey Cowboy Style

Austin the Dancing Dragon

Buzz Lightyear

Buzz befriends Sitting Bull


It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

Peyton's flashy goggles

BRAVO team leader Connor



Special appearances on the runway

Wild Wild West

Bigger Lamb