candygraham

Halloween 2011

2011-11-06T13:07:00.001-08:00

Here we are... The Big Bad Wolf, the Woodsman, Grandma and Little Red Riding Hood!

Here is our Halloween backwards:)

Graham drinking hot cider after trick or treating

Kaleb pushing Ida, Simone, Elsa and Graham at Amy's house, before we ate her amazing food!

Penny and Graham ready to head out! I had to paint Graham's face and it was a lot harder than Marty made it look.

Graham and his best bud Owen. We met up outside the carriage house, which our ward had turned into Halloween Central with scones, cider, etc! They also made the pond a haunted swamp with dry ice! Spoooooky!

On Halloween day we had lunch at Daddy's work!

Graham's Preschool Class

Trunk or Treat Night
Graham get it! I wish I could get it!

Making spiders!

Miss Smiles!

What a tiny little cutie she is!

Howling into the night!

Happy Halloween!

Painting a very cool wolf face

Graham smeared it around because it was itching! I should have know not to paint a kids face who doesn't even like to get his hands wet:)

They are cute together!

Until next year!

Look What Came Yesterday...

2011-09-23T20:08:00.000-07:00

Our railing!
Oh so pretty:)
Now Graham can finally sleep upstairs and I'm moving the little night-nurser out of my room!

Penelope's Baby Blessing

2011-09-15T20:17:00.000-07:00

Penny's blessing day was a special day for our family! We had a lot of family come to celebrate with us! Marty gave a beautiful blessing and it was a wonderful meeting. Marty and I felt the contrast between Graham's blessing day and Penny's. I was still so sick on Graham's and I felt pretty darn great on Penny's! think that is why I wanted to celebrate with Penny's and I was grateful for everyone's help in getting the house ready and food prepared! Everything was delicious and when it was all done we even got a nap!

Here are a few photos from the day!
You can see a little bit of the staircase and attic in some of the pictures!
I still promise to post more someday soon... but it isn't even finished yet anyway!

Penelope Kay Patch
Delicious!
Happy!
Lovey!
Perfect in every way!
We love her!

Birth Photos!

2011-09-14T09:16:00.000-07:00

Our wonderful doula, Claire Stanley, took some photos of the birth for us! I will spare you the "R" rated one and keep some personal pride, but here are some special ones!

Please take note of my silky blanket in the photos. So funny to me! That things has been through a lot with me.
Backpacking in Europe to Natural Childbirth. It's up to the task!

Also I do smile in some of the photos but those are a wee bit graphic for the blog:)

Amazing!!!

I can't believe our little Penny girl is 5 months old!
She is the happiest girl in this world.
We love her to pieces!

Here's a sneak peak to my next post!
I know your smiling too!

Father's Day Photo Suprise

2011-08-18T09:14:00.000-07:00

Well hello again,

I have had this post saved as a draft for weeks now because I was having trouble uploading the photos, but I decided to post what was working and go from here...

So these are some cute pictures of Penny and Graham from a photo shoot we did with Sara Bateman. Here is the link to her photography blog to see more photos. Just scroll down a bit to "Patch Preview." Sara was so great and it was a really funny evening. I was trying to surprise Marty with some photos of us for Father's Day. I was sure it was going to be fine because Marty hadn't been home until 2 or 3 in the morning every day for WEEKS! But of course he shows up during the photo session (5pm!) and Sara and I were IDIOTS! We were acting like we were just getting together because she wanted to see the house, etc. Her camera was sitting on the couch! In the end we spilled the beans because he kept hanging around. It was a little deflating, but in the end the pictures turned out great and Marty loved them when I gave him some framed prints on Father's Day. Thanks Sara for the beautiful shots! Such keepsakes!

Media Appearances :(

2011-08-16T19:45:00.000-07:00

So I've completely been avoiding putting these links on my blog over the last few days. This whole experience has been so interesting! Marty and I have been trying to be really compliant to what the ad agency and Rocky Mountain Power wants us to do, but let me say we are not professional tv personalities. I know they don't expect us to be, but it makes me have a greater appreciation for all those beautiful people in front of the camera who are witty, quick and at ease. We definitely are not that! But we did an ok job and hopefully the tv interviews are over. We did another one for ABC, but I don't have the link. Here is the link for the FOX 13 interview we did a few mornings ago. Click Here.

We also did an interview for the Salt Lake Tribune. A disclaimer about the picture... I look awful:/ Everyone else looks cute which is good, but I know you all wouldn't want an ugly picture of you circulating around town. (My sister said it is definitely not my best) I bought the print version for a keep sake at Barnes and Noble... fun memory finding your family in the newspaper. So here is the link for it. Click Here.

It has been a little hard for me because everyone hasn't been so nice about the contest. There have been people that have said the money should have gone to more deserving families and other mean things. And I lay there at night coming up with what I should have said if I was quicker, etc. I hate it! I was super sensitive about it last week because I didn't want people saying mean things about Marty or me or our family in general. I know I can't control what other people say about us, but it is never fun to have people be critical to your face or in the media (which is entirely out of your control.) I can't imagine being torn apart by the media for actually doing something wrong... crazy!

Anyhoo, we are so excited and grateful and we actually went to Lowes the other night to just look around at appliances. It was really fun just to even imagine them replacing all of our old gems.

So I'm off to bed while you all watch some pretty embarrassing clips of us!

Here's to energy efficiency... remember to turn off the lights and unplug your appliances:)

Such Dorks:)

2011-08-08T16:28:00.000-07:00

Haha! I just watch our clip and am totally laughing!

If you want to see our two minutes of tv time

Click Here

Tomorrow we are on Fox 13 some time between 8:20 and 9:20

KUTV Channel 2

2011-08-07T20:24:00.000-07:00

Friends and family we will be on KUTV Channel 2 tomorrow morning around 7:20 to talk about our video and being energy efficient. Tune in to see us if you'd like! We're nervous and I don't know what to wear :/

We Won!

2011-08-04T12:09:00.001-07:00

We cannot even believe it... but we won the grand prize for the Rocky Mountain Power video contest! It is unreal and we can hardly contain our excitement! We found out while we were in Lake Powell. We had spotty reception, but I got a message on my voice mail from a woman at RMP to call her back. Marty and I jumped in the boat to try and get better reception in the channel. We finally got a hold of her and she shared the good news... WE WON! We took this picture right after we hung up and stopped jumping up and down! We were dieing!

We still don't know a lot about how it works, but it sounds like they set up an account at Lowes and we can buy energy efficient items for our house. We think we will get new appliances because that would be great! :)

We are being interview by Katie Drake for the Salt Lake Tribune tonight and on Monday and Tuesday we have to go on some morning shows. I think one is FOX 13 for sure. So it is all pretty crazy, but so exciting! We are so incredibly grateful that we found out about the contest and entered. It is such a blessing!

Here is the link to the Rocky Mountain Power page about our video! Here and more here.

Thank you everyone for voting! Our friends actually won the viewers' choice award and we are so happy for them! Marty and I have never won anything before so we are really shocked by this, but are loving it too!

Before and After... Video Contest

2011-07-13T12:29:00.000-07:00

(see film contest below!)

I'm back and the asbestos didn't kill us off! So I should start off by stating my inconsistent blogging nature is do to lack of time and energy and not my desire to blog! I know I said I would post all these pictures of the attic remodel and I will, but I've definitely been a bit stressed out with the new baby, the attic and my sweet husband working around the clock! Things are looking up though! Penny is so sweet. She is eating well and sleeping pretty well... about a 5-6 hour stretch. She smiles all the time and is rolling to her side. She grabs her feet and eats her fists. Her eyes are definitely blue and she is balding a bit in the back. Graham is adjusting okay. He is "The Boss" around here and depending on the day and my energy level, he visits time-out a few times a day. He loves Penny and rubs her head and says, "She is sooooo cute!" He is a great helper and brings me diapers and Penny's binky when I ask. We recently discovered he is also allergic to fish which is such a bummer. So that means he is allergic to nuts, eggs and fish. He has been swimming a lot this summer and can jump off the side and swim back to the stairs. He thinks he is awesome and so do I!

The attic is about 90% done. We still need the railing for the stairs, shelving in the closets, door hardware and the bathroom cabinet, but we are close! I'm looking at furniture and that is fun, but also a bit overwhelming. I like a lot of different styles so it is hard for me to make up my mind. But I'm enjoying the process!

Marty has been working on Turning Point... his television series all day and night lately. You can watch the pilot episode here. (If that didn't work, go to byutv.org and go under "Shows" on the second page) It is an amazing show that we are proud to be involved in. Enjoy!

I've been feeling pretty good. Last week with both of our families in town I got extra run down. I started feeling "potsy" and knew I need to calm down. (And my doctor gave me a nice lecture about how I don't bounce back like normal people) I'm doing a little better today because I have no where to go and nothing I have to do. I'm tired, but happy. So life is good, really good actually!

FILM CONTEST

So lastly, we found out about a film contest last minute and so we enter last minute! It is for Rocky Mountain Power and is about being energy smart... Wattsmart! Will you pretty, please watch our video and vote for us. If you vote, you could win $500 to Lowes! If we win we could win $10,000 in energy efficient appliances and such. There are also runners-up for $2500 and $2000 for viewers choice. Our stove is from the 1970's and we are borrowing a washer and dryer so it could really help:) It is a cute video about our house and family trying to become energy efficient. I think you will like the before and afters!

Watch and Vote here!

Thanks friends and family! We love you!

Jess and Marty

Asbestos

2011-04-25T10:03:00.000-07:00

(Image from the internet:))

Well, it is true. The moment I saw those popcorn ceilings (almost two years ago) in the house I knew they were going to be a problem. Last week we took a piece to be tested before we have the ceilings removed and sure enough it has ASBESTOS! If you don't know about asbestos... in a nutshell it can cause cancer in high doses and over long periods of time. But if the material is in good shape, it is not dangerous and can be left intact. Well, we already disturbed the ceilings when we cut through for air conditioning so we really didn't know what to do because the cost and involvement of its removal is huge!

But I believe I found my answer from a very nice man at the the Salt Lake City Health Department. He said we can take care of the ceilings ourselves by either painting them and sealing them in... or covering them with sheet rock. Because it isn't dangerous unless it is flaking off, etc. So we are exciting there is in a solution that will be safe for our family.

Anyone ever dealt with asbestos in popcorn ceilings?
.
.
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The sheet rocking of the attic is being finished today and I'll post pictures soon!
It is looking good!

Big Brother

2011-04-19T09:24:00.000-07:00

Penelope's Birth Story

2011-04-10T06:45:00.000-07:00

"Sunday morning, March 27th, I woke up at 6am!"
I woke up because I had an achy feeling in my uterus and I remembered that same feeling from a previous day, October 17th, 2007... Graham's birth day. I had been having contractions (strong ones) for days and weird sharp pains "down south" for days as well. I kept thinking that it was getting close, but I didn't know when. All week my Mom had been saying that this weekend would be a great time to have the baby even though it was a week early. So Sunday morning I got up and got Graham and I ready for church with Marty going to meetings with the idea that this might be the day. We got to church and I had to stop at times to breath through the contractions and everyone kept telling me to go home. haha! I figured it better to be distracted by people and motion than sit home and worry about how the day was going to pan out. So I stayed at church! Marty and I walked the garden grounds until it got too cold and then we went back inside for Sacrament Meeting. When I was sitting down it was okay, but when I stood up the contractions were pretty strong. After church I put Graham down for his nap and then tried to take a nap myself. As I tried to sleep I timed my contractions and they were still 10 minutes apart. I knew I didn't want to labor all day and end up having the baby in the middle of the night because I didn't want to be too exhausted! So after naps and Marty got home from his church meetings we started to walk the hills by our home. This totally worked! My contractions went from 10 mins apart to 5 mins apart to 3 mins apart. When we got home my parents were there and Randi and Rich had taken Graham away so I could be home with little distractions. The contractions were really building and we started to use the techniques we practiced in class. The hypnosis, the position changes, and mostly the breathing. I got in the tub at my home and that seemed to really help. We called my doula, Claire, and she said whenever you want to go to the hospital you can, but to remember it is harder once you get there to avoid interventions. So we stayed home a little longer and my Mom and Marty traded off helping me through the contractions and then we decided to get in the car. We got to the University of Utah Hospital and took advantage of their valet parking! I walked a ways to get to the OB Emergency where they check you in and admit you. I think it was a little much, because when I got there I started to throw up and there was some rushing around to help get me settled. I was dilated to a 5 and they got my IV started in case of emergency. I didn't want fluids because of my POTS. Large amounts of fluid can shock the vessels and I didn't want to do anything I could avoid. The nurses were amazing at the U! They were so good about the natural birth. I told them (well my Mom told them) about my birth with Graham and they were on board with no epidural. I had lots of hands on me helping me through! Once we got to our labor room we walked around the halls for a bit. Marty and my Mom were kind of dragging me around as I put one foot in front of the other. But after each contraction I could still talk and kind of smile. About an hour after we arrived (around 9:00) they checked me again and I was a 6. I told the nurse that we should set a goal (does that sound like me or what?) to have the baby by 12:30. I was started to doubt my strength. We called Claire, our Doula, and she was on her way. My nurse, started the bathtub in the bathroom and I decided to try it out. This is where it really started to get funny as I look back. I had been so determined to be modest in my labor. I had read all these books and thought it was so weird that all these woman were totally naked during their births. So I bought cute labor dresses, brought a swimsuit, etc. Well I now know why those woman were naked... it is because YOU DO NOT CARE! You are just trying to endure the pain and who cares if you are 9 months pregnant in front of strangers... nude!

Okay, so where was I... in the tub trying to keep moving and breathing. Marty was scratching my back with this tickler thing and my nurse was bringing me cold wash clothes. Marty was amazing! He was so supportive and never left my side. He kept with the plan and tried to help read all my hypnosis things or tell me stories or poems. He was so positive and never let me see any fear. I love him! When Claire arrived it was probably between 10 and 10:30pm. I'm not totally sure. But after a few minutes of her reading affirmations, etc... my water broke in the tub. I felt a pop and felt a rush of fluid and that is when my Mom said I went primal. I tried to move around or breath put there was no break between the contractions. They kept coming stronger and stronger and stronger. I started to yell and all I can remember is Claire saying breath that baby out! Which makes me laugh now, but it wasn't so funny then. I felt like the pain was so strong that it was pushing me under the water. I was yelling that I was drowning! And then I felt the baby drop down and it felt like she was going to come out there in the tub. I screamed, "I need to push... I feel her head!!" I heard the nurse yell out in the hall, we need a doctor in here! (As I'm writing this I'm totally crying, because at that moment I knew we were so close and could I make the rest of the way!) After that someone told me to get out of the tub. I remember opening my eyes for a second and looking for the bed. I took two steps out of the tub and jumped into the bed. I turned on my side and was just yelling and screaming! I was a total Amazon Woman! Even now when I close my eyes I can still hear my yelling:) Who knew I would be so vocal:) So there I am on my side with no doctor, but plenty of nurses and residents. They said to push and I pushed twice for my life! I felt her head and then her shoulders and she was born! My baby girl was here and I didn't die! They handed her to me and I was in complete shock with the emotions and joy of it all. I just kept saying, "I did it!" "I can't believe I did it!" Marty was holding tight to me (did I mention how much I love him!?) and the room was so happy. It felt so different than my first birth I can't quite explain it. I tore a bit so they had to numb me and stitch me up, but I will spare you those details (if I haven't already given enough detail). The nurses waited to do the eye cream so I could see Penny's eyes. I just looked at her tiny self and couldn't believe she was finally here. She was so special right from the start. It has been so wonderful over the last few weeks to take care of her. I kind of feel like it is a first baby all over again. I never really got to just hold Graham because I was too weak, I never changed his diapers, bathed him or burped him. I'm so grateful for all the people that did do that for Graham when I couldn't. But I'm thrilled that I can be the one to do this for Penny!

Everyone keeps asking me how I'm doing with my POTS so I'll put down a little bit here. I feel okay. I definitely still have the Tachycardia, weakness, and fatigue. But it is no where near where it was with Graham. After Penny, I was very weak the first few days, so they decided to give me blood. It made all the difference. I had lost quite a bit and my hematocrit was low making my POTS worse. The blood helped me be strong enough to at least get up and get moving around. I'm still taking all my medication for my heart and blood pressure. I'm trying to take good care of my self, but that is hard when the one thing you really need is sleep and that is the one thing that is so hard to get!

I want to thank everyone who helped get this baby here! Our prayers were heard and I know the Lord knew just what I could handle and delivered:) I truly feel like everything I wanted to happen, happened. I feel so grateful and indebted to a loving Heavenly Father who knows us personally. And I'm so grateful to be a wife and mother. Our family of FOUR carries on!

Love you all!

Jess

Baby Girl

2011-04-09T18:15:00.000-07:00

This is my Penny! She is a doll baby that I couldn't be more delighted with. She is eating well, (although we have nicknamed her Penny Piranha because she has quite a bite!), settles and soothes easily, poops like a champ, and sleeps like a newborn should, only waking for a feeding every 3 hours!

Life has been very crazy since her birth. She arrived a week early and it will be her two week birthday tomorrow. I can't believe it! I have been hiding at my Mom's house to get out of the noise and dust of construction and Marty is trying to keep things going in SLC. I want to write about her birth, but I need some time to sit down and put it down right. All I can say is, "I did it! I did it! I did it!" and I'm so proud of myself. I was worried and had been thinking about the birth of my second child since the birth of my first, 3 1/2 years ago. So to have Penelope here safe and sound and to be on the other side of a GIANT question mark is more of a blessing than you can know. I'm so grateful and feel it a sacred experience that fulfilled the prayer of my life; just the start of this baby girls birth story!

I love you all and appreciate the calls, texts, emails and visits. To know you have a village standing in waiting is humbling and the kindness is overwhelming. Thank you!

Enjoy a few photos of Penny from last weeks visit to the pond! Check back soon for the lively tale of me screaming my lungs out and the daily journey through the breastfeeding blues:)

Loves!

Penelope Kay Patch

2011-03-28T16:26:00.000-07:00

Beautiful little Penny was born Sunday, March 27 at 10:28pm. She weighs 7 pounds and 1 ounce, and she measures 19.75 inches. Jessica conquered natural labor and was strong; army strong. She will post the exciting and tumultuous birthing details soon! Until then both Mom and Baby are great!

Progress

2011-03-23T13:04:00.000-07:00

March 2, 2011

To show you where the stairs are going off the kitchen! People have been confused:)

March 3, 2011

A new favorite spot for Graham to sit!

March 5, 2011

Vacuuming all our food after some wild dust and demolition!

March 20, 2011

Trying to expose the brick on the stairway. I really, really want it to work, but it doesn't come off really easily so we will see. We have a few ideas!

Graham's Room

View from Graham's Room

Bathroom Framed

Tub in place

Plumbing in for sink and toilet

More plumbing

Main floor is down!

Little white attic tub

Nursery wall is dry walled

Skylights and kits
8 in total we think!

Today has been a crazy day again! I'm going to kill Graham currently so I put him in his room and closed the door. I didn't want to do anything drastic so I've let him and me cool off. :)
The funny part is about 10 minutes ago he stopped calling for "Mommy!" and started calling for "Worker!" Marty thought it was hilarious!

My baby progress is that I'm two centimeters dilated and 80% effaced!
So things are going good!
Due Date April 3, 2011
I hope I go all the way!

Treasures

2011-03-22T12:25:00.000-07:00

As the men have been working upstairs in our attic they have found some true treasures! These items have been buried in the insulation. They were all found separately on different days, so I pretty much live for what they will find each day!
1. A letter from Elburg in Prussia
February 10, 1903
2. 1897 Webster Dictionary with handwritten addresses in back
3.1883 encased Indian penny
4. Wooden clothes pin
5. An infant bootie
6. Antique bird feeder

For those that are interested here is a bit from the letter...

"My beloved Mother,

There is little news today that I was tempted to send merely a card. But a card is a poor stick of a thing to say anything on especially when the receiver is expecting to hear something. So I will write a letter today just to keep up the deception a little longer, or for this time at least."

You want more?!

There is a lot of beautiful writing in the letter that I can't help but salivate over! It is like my own mystery! ( I also recently read The Forgotten Garden, which isn't helping) These buried treasures were in the attic and I don't know who they belong to, but you can bet I will find out! The letter talks about a Bishop Emery. There is an Emery family in our ward now that I'm curious if they have record of there family living in the neighborhood in the early 1900s. This home was build in 1913 and there have been three owners to my knowledge. Patch Family, Roscher Family and ???! I'm going to find out and I'll let you know! If you have any advice on how to go about my detective work I would appreciate the direction. I just know I'm not going to the state street pawn shop next to Big Deluxe Tattoo! :)

38 Weeks

2011-03-20T20:10:00.000-07:00

(38 weeks)

I can't believe this baby is coming just around the corner! I've been thinking about what my Mom said to me the other day... having a baby is like the Second Coming... you know it is coming, but just don't know when! This made me smile and think... I need to be prepared for both:)

The above photo is from today. In my Sunday comfy garb I went upstairs to take some pictures. As you can see I am getting larger and our attic is not moving much faster! Well, actually lots has been going on. Figuring out the bathroom, electrical and air conditioning has taken a lot of time. This next week should really move I hope. But as you can see we aren't "almost done"! So today my parents and Suzy came up to our house and helped get a bunch of stuff ready for the baby. We have to set up a temporary nursery in Graham's room, but I'm so thrilled that we at least know where everything is now. We got the clothes ready, diapers and wipes out, breastfeeding loot together and all in a place where it is accessible in this giant construction zone.

* So I have two special thanks for this week!
First, my sister Suzy!
Earlier this week I went to pick up my parents from the SLC airport and there Suzy was sitting next to them. I was confused and so, so happy! My helper had returned to Utah. My prayers had been answered. I seriously had been trying to figure out how I was going to do everything I needed to do this past week and not put myself into labor. She has been amazing and I can't thank her enough!

Second, my father in law, Brian!
This man is selfless! He has done so much for both Marty and I on this renovation. He is constantly coming to Salt Lake to look things over with us, give us ideas, work through problems, etc. And if he isn't up here with us, he is on the phone with us. I call him all the time with questions and he calls me to see if I'm surviving. It means more than he knows. Also, this past week he made me a treasure chest for Graham's preschool. I'm in charge of putting together a class project and trying to get it done before the baby has been tough. So Brian came to my rescue and I don't even know how many hours he spent building it, but it is beautiful and sitting in the shed for me to take to school in the morning. I love you Brian and think you are amazing! Thank you!

Below are some photos from the morning routine lately. We hide in our bedroom from the workers until it is time for preschool or whatever else is going on that day. So pardon the mess, but oh I love Graham in these shots!

(35 weeks)

Attic photos... Enjoy our mess!

2011-03-10T21:44:00.000-08:00

Attic Before we moved in

I cannot rotate the above picture... so please turn your head and walk down the stairs out the little door to the main floor

Looking up the existing/ original staircase

The Process begins

Looking from the kitchen up the new staircase

New staircase with cookbook shelf wall, pantry, storage closets torn out

Standing from the mudroom door looking back up

From underneath
From the side hallway... straight ahead used to be linen closet and closets from inside Graham's room

Some old, old flooring that was discovered underneath multiple layers

The framing has started upstairs

Looking North... the hole is the staircase

Looking down the staircase

Below is the beginning framing off of Graham's Room upstairs.
More was done today so check back soon:)

Motherhood

2011-03-09T22:00:00.001-08:00

So Marty is at work tonight late and I have access to a hard drive of photos. I know I should post pictures of the attic or the house because they really are fun, but I found these two photos and I can't stop thinking about them. The top photo is of Graham and I before church during the summer. I found out I was pregnant that day and I think I will forever love that photo because of it! I remember thinking, "Here we go!" Not knowing what was is store was scary and exciting. There has been lots of sickness between now and then, and some unknowns up ahead, but it is all worth it.

I think that brings me to the second picture of my Mom and Graham. Getting pregnant and having babies wasn't easy for her and I admire her so much for having 5 of us! The struggles and trials are really worth it in the end I think. I feel how much she loves me and how much she loves Graham and I can't help but ponder the wonder of Motherhood. How much you can really love unconditionally another person. It is even different that loving a sibling or a close friend, a mother's love for her child is a heavenly gift. It makes me understand a little bit of our Heavenly Parent's love for us. Truly an all encompassing love!

My Mom is going to help me with my upcoming birth and I know it will be special. We have had our "discussions" about me using a doula, doing this naturally and Marty's role, but she is with me! I know when the going gets rough there is no one who has my true well being in mind like my Mom. She would do anything for her children! She told me the other day the happiest days of her life was when she had a child. I know she is telling the truth:) I can't wait to bring this baby girl into our family soon! (Well actually I can wait until the attic is done!) I'm grateful for my Mother's example of loving her babies. Love you Mom!

Due Date

2011-03-08T20:22:00.000-08:00

Well I can't actually believe I'm posting, but I'm 36 1/2 weeks pregnant and I feel like my life is in fast forward! I know with the baby approaching (Due date is April 3rd) that I want to document the fun things that have been going on in our little Patch family.

I have been feeling better the last while and I think I've let that momentum carry us into some large projects. After much deliberation, prayer and fasting Marty and I decided to...
finish our attic! This may or may not sound huge to you all, but it sounds huge to us! This will be a new bedroom for Graham, playroom, art room, and bathroom. We have had some delays getting started (we started two weeks ago), but we have 3 1/2 weeks until this baby is coming and we are on a tight schedule:) I don't want to let this time fly by and forget the process so I'm going to post pictures regularly to help us remember how crazy we are!

But first come with me back to January and let me show you some of our fun adventures!

Mexico 2011
Puerto Vallarta
La Jolla de Mismaloya

This is a favorite spot of ours! With some sky miles, xmas gifts from parents, babysitting from sister Suzy - can we say thank you enough to everyone- we were able to take a 7 day "Babymoon" before this next baby girl arrives.

We had so much fun reading, relaxing, eating, sleeping late, napping and being together!

It was heaven on earth!

Whale watching tour in a very small boat!

30 weeks pregnant!
I love these pictures Marty took of me because I look so happy... which I am! I'm so happy to be pregnant! I can't wait for this baby girl and even though I'm nervous about my health and doing the birth naturally I know that I can do it!

And the bikini shot is for when I'm 50 and will love to see that round belly growing:)
And for Marty because he likes skin!

Graham jumping off the diving board at swimming lessons!
He is getting to be such a good swimmer and he absolutely loves it! His teacher is named Rachelle and he listens to her better than he listens to me. He is not totally independent yet but getting really close! Can't wait for Nanny's pool this summer!

Snow!
We have had so much fun with the snow this winter. I think Graham could kick the snow or stomp the snow for hours. It must be a boy thing. He and I made this sad snowman a while back and it made me laugh. His eyes and dimples are made of chocolate covered pomegranates! A very gourmet frosty!

Marty's 800b Scout
Well if anyone knows my family (the Sumsions) or Marty's family (the Patches) you will know we have a lot of International Scouts between us! I'm not really sure what it is about these old cars, but the men I'm close with are obsessed!!
Marty has been looking for a long time for the one he wanted. We have owned three, wait four, different scouts during the process. Actually, there is another one behind those garage doors! haha! This one is a little rough, but when it is all done it will be so fun to take the top off and go for rides up in the mountains and get ice creams cones in the summer. That is my girl version of fun! I think Marty has different plans:) I grew up going to Fish Lake and riding in the back of a Scout so I hope to give my kids those same memories.

Flu

2010-11-27T17:30:00.000-08:00

I did get the flu. Today. Let's hope it doesn't last as long as Graham's.

Signs of the Season

2010-11-24T19:54:00.000-08:00

We finally hung this frame on the wall! This little beauty has been a neglected project of mine for months. With the help of Andrea, my illustrator teacher and sister in law, we designed this poster for my kitchen. The quote came from my mother in law, Tayva, who got it from Shakespeare. It all came together so nicely and printed so cheaply and just sat. It sat for a long time until I decided to make it our Family Home Evening lesson (which by the way we have now done 4 weeks in a row! Wahoo!) So Marty and Graham got a hammer and nail and the frame was up in minutes! I'm really happy with how it turned out! And how apropo, just in time for the grand feast where we will do, "nothing but sit and sit, and eat and eat!"

Graham has had the stomach flu (total nightmare!) so I've been praying all week that I wouldn't get it so I could enjoy Thanksgiving. Tayva's turkey is so, so, so good and it has been on my mind for months. Call me crazy, but so many things make me so nauseated, that the thought of the turkey can help me get through the day!

So let's just pray that the flu doesn't hit in the middle of the night tonight, because I think I would cry! No, I know I would cry.
I hope you have a nice holiday with family and friends.
Many happy eats!

Love

2010-11-04T19:24:00.000-07:00

Here is my little three year old baby. I know he isn't a baby anymore, especially with another baby on the way, but he melts my heart just the same. We have been having so much home time together the last few months that I am just cherishing. He is so full of love and happiness. Every time I am sick and need to run to the bathroom he follows close behind. He puts his hand on my shoulder and follows the escapade with something that makes me smile. For example, "Good job Mom! You did it!" or "I help you Mom!" or "You okay Mom?... Yes I'm okay... Okay, let's play!" or my favorite "I help you Mom. Let me flush."

I just love Graham and Marty so much. And I'm excited to love another baby soon. I was recently reminded of something a great woman said about love. My dear friend Jane Ann lost her husband last week after a short battle with pancreatic cancer. It was very hard and very painful. When I went to the viewing on Friday night and hugged her I remembered something that has crossed my mind at different times over the last few years. To start can I say, Jane Ann is full of love. One Sunday several years ago she bore a heartfelt testimony about love. She is the mother to many boys and the grandmother to even more grandchildren. She talked about the beauty of love. She said these profound words.
Love doesn't divide. Love multiplies.

With all the people in this world I love, Jane Ann included, I am so grateful that my love for them doesn't need to divide. It can multiply exponentially if necessary.

So here is to you! My family, friends and good people everywhere;
I love you!

Mustachio

2010-11-02T20:01:00.000-07:00

Thanks Nicole for the photos!

Halloween

2010-11-01T20:42:00.000-07:00

We had such a wonderful Halloween this year! We made time to do some fun things like carve pumpkins, make an apple pie and dress up our home and ourselves!

Marty made me take these photos myself so let's pretend they are really good:)

Just a few shots of the Halloween decor...

A few photos of some recent additions to the place! A new mirror, pillows, photo wall and tv cabinet!

An accomplishment worth recording! I learned to use my sewing machine! I made two pillows (the skull and owl are one pillow) and the black and white stripe pillow and runner for year round use. Thanks to Randi for helping me sew and for Nicole and the other DIY girls for the screen printing night! I loved how they turned out.

Our last minute Halloween Costumes that turned out so fun! This is a not so flattering photo of us both but I had to document that our PEZ boxes held up even after the rainy trick or treating! Graham had already taken his dinosaur off, but he had a blast saying "trick or treat" at each door!

And as a grand finale to a great week here is my pie! Marty's mom makes the most delicious apple pie and I've always been intimidated to make it! But this year I did it! Marty did the final touches and added a heart. I'm not sure if it is for his love for the pie or for me! Let's say both! We enjoyed it for days!

Hope your holiday was fun too!

Loves!

It was a Partay!!

2010-10-20T20:26:00.001-07:00

Enjoy some of the pics from Graham's Party in reverse. There were so many photos and I wish I was more of an editor, but I'm happy to have the photos. I love how many cute shots Marty got of the kids. They look great in their Halloween costumes and I'm glad Graham left his dino costume on even for a bit.

It was such a fun party to plan and carry out! I loved how the cake turned out and also the meringue dino bones. They were just as easy as my sis in law said they would be :) Thanks to all my family for helping pull it off! (Randi, Andrea, my patient Mama, and my dear mother in law who has been recovering from shingles). And thanks to everyone who came! It was a blast.

It was such a fun day and a special memory for my little boyfriend. He is still talking about his dinosaur party! I can't believe how far we've come together in the last three years. Somehow amongst the chaos of life's struggles he manages to still love me. And I must say that he pretty much worships Marty. Tonight when putting him to sleep, Graham said to me in his tiniest voice, "I just really miss my Daddy!" (tear!) Daddy has been working quite a bit the last while and I know he and Graham would love to spend more time together. Hopefully that will happen soon enough!

Night, night friends and fam! I'm off to take my anti-nausea for a good nights rest! For those that wonder, the nausea is getting a hair better (knock on wood). I haven't thrown up in two days:) I'm 16 1/2 weeks. Heart looks good and baby looks good. Almost to half way, hooray!

Graham is 3

2010-10-18T08:26:00.000-07:00

My little man turned three yesterday! We had a fun weekend celebrating with friends and family. We had a dino-mite party on Saturday and then yesterday was full of playing with new toys and good food to eat!

Graham is a delight to everyone around him. He has a contagious smile and personality to spare. He loves dinosaurs, trains, cars, building forts or towers and he especially loves art. He can draw such good pictures of people, with their round circular bodies, big smiles and long limbs. They make me smile. He loves reading stories and is such a smart little boy.

He is still not potty-trained, but I'm hoping that will come soon. He has a strong will and pretty much everything needs to be his idea.

I can't wait to see what this next year will bring for Graham! We love you and Happy Birthday!

It's a ...

2010-10-05T08:11:00.001-07:00

GIRL!!!!

It is true! I could not be more excited!
Yesterday I was talking to several friends who could not believe I wasn't going to go to the fetal studio and find out the gender. By the end of the day I had been talked into it and made an appointment. I was so nervous on the way there! We got to the mall and realized we were at the wrong mall. I called and they said we could still come, but we might have to wait!
I was so happy they would still take us.

During the ultrasound the baby was moving all over the place. We could see her arms and legs kicking around and she even sucked her thumb. Heart beat, brain, stomach and kidneys all there!

Graham was so funny! We said, "Graham you are going to have a sister!" and he "...and a brother!" Nope. A little confused! Just a sister.

We are so excited! I can't wait to decorate the nursery and buy pink clothes and bows!

Summer Swimming and Good News!

2010-09-30T09:55:00.001-07:00

The good news is...

I've got another little baby swimming around inside!
I'm almost 14 weeks!
Due April 3, 2011

We are very excited! I've been quite sick, but hoping that the nausea and vomiting will
end soon and make the POTS (my constant companion of Tachycardia) a little more manageable!

I hope to post pictures of the house soon because I've had lots of requests!
It is looking beautiful!

Stay tuned!
(if anyone is still checking :))

Loves!

Concrete

2010-07-01T19:50:00.000-07:00

This is a picture of our front yard from last week!
They removed 100,000 pounds of concrete from our yard!

The man that built our house had unlimited amounts of concrete (or so we guess) and he built everything very sturdy. We torn down the cinder block fences in the front, removed the wishing well and extinct water feature in the back, a very large dog run and an uneven cement patio (if you can call it a patio!)

We are very happy with it all gone, but now we are trying to deal with our torn up yard!
We have been working on sprinklers, as I mentioned before, and still need to finish the painting.

Every night I turn on the sprinklers, one zone at a time, with my manual key/pole/rod.
It takes me about 1 and 1/2 hours to go through all the zones.
Last night I was laughing to myself because I'm sure Rich and Randi were in the basement thinking... why does she keep going outside!
Finally at 1045 I went outside to turn off the water to the swamp cooler.
So if you are wondering what I'm up to these beautiful summer evenings,
I'm attending to waters of the house!

2010-06-30T21:23:00.000-07:00

It was a crazy day!

Last night I went with some friends to Eclipse!
It was so much better than the other ones that I can't wait to see it again!

Did you see it? Did you like it?

Chesapeake Bay

2010-06-29T13:05:00.001-07:00

These are photos from my marvelous weekend in Delaware for Brett's Graduation. Marty stayed home with Graham and I went all by myself back east. I had so much fun it is hard to explain it! Let's just say I had ZERO responsibilities! I didn't even carry a purse!

We went boating on the beautiful Chesapeake Bay in Brett's beautiful boat!
We had lunch just off the water and I ate Maryland Blue Crabs for the first time!
Brett and I split that platter!
McKay was a sport and kept wanting to try them!

It was a perfect weekend and I wish I would have taken more photos!
But like I said I wasn't carry much the whole weekend!

I'm so proud of Brett for graduating from Wharton!
He is my hero!

Zoo

2010-06-29T12:51:00.001-07:00

We have been having so much fun at the Zoo this summer!
If you ever want to go, call us and we would love to join you!

A Birthday Bundt!

2010-06-28T12:50:00.001-07:00

It was such a fun evening celebrating with my Mom, family and friends. I didn't get many pictures and I regret not getting a photo of the final dessert. It was a bundt cake, made with vanilla pudding mix and four eggs- very dense and delicious! Then strawberries and a cream sauce made with sour cream, powdered sugar, lemon zest and lemon juice. My mouth is still salivating!

My mom's brother Mike and sister Nancy were there!
(We missed her youngest sister Jody!)

It was a great night and my Dad was happy we stayed to clean up! :)

This coming week should be a blast we have lots of family coming in to celebrate my Mom's Bday and the fourth!

ps. Thanks to Meg L for the decorations! They were perfect!

Saturday Slaves and Birthdays!

2010-06-26T20:31:00.001-07:00

This is not our yard, nor did I take the photo

Marty and I have just sat down after what feels like the longest day of our lives!
We have worked and worked and worked!
Marty fixed our broken sprinklers today, but the crazy thing is after all that work our yard is still all torn up from last weeks mega concrete removal.

I've never really seen Marty so worn down. The poor man collapsed at the top of the stairs and didn't move for twenty minutes. I had to provide him with load of food before he had the energy or desire to get up.

I worked myself to exhaustion inside. I made a serious organizing mess earlier in the week that I've been paying for big time!

My dear Mama and sis Suz took Graham for us all day. They went swimming in "Nanny's" pool twice, rode in the wagon, played with bubbles, fed the dog, etc. A much better day that staying home with Mom and Dad.

Speaking of my wonderful mother, she is turning 60 tomorrow! I can't believe it! She looks so young and is so beautiful! She is a such a wonderful mother, grandma and friend. We can't wait to spend the day with you tomorrow!

We love you Mama Jan!

Happy Father's Day!

2010-06-20T16:27:00.000-07:00

Just watching Dancing with the Stars a while back!

Marty is a pretty amazing man in many areas; especially his fatherly duties with Graham. They have such a strong bond and adore each other. When Graham was born and I was so sick, Marty would just hold Graham on his chest day and night! He still loves to cuddle him and hold him close. They love to play and I'm so grateful we moved to Salt Lake so Marty can spend more time with Graham! I know Graham and Marty love it too!

Happy Father's Day babe!

Graham and I love you!

Paint!

2010-06-10T20:34:00.001-07:00

To quote my father in law... "What a week I'm having!"

We are in the middle of painting the exterior of our house and it is causing me to be pulled in many directions. I have been to every paint store in the Salt Lake Valley (well just Sherwin Williams, Benjamin Moore, Home Depot and Lowes!) But imagine taking Graham into a place with colorful cards that he wants to collect. I seriously think I spent half my visit putting all the cards back. Well actually my last stop I just put him back in the car when I was done and ran back in the store to clean up.

Above are two of the colors we are using. They are certain. The Martha Stewart "Cement Gray" and the bottom right corner, "Dark Cavern" It is the third color, the light color, that is making me lose sleep. I have been back and forth but I think that is should be the Benjamin Moore, Thunder. (Tayva you are probably reading this and thinking... they changed again!)

I have to wake up tomorrow morning bright and early to get more paint. But to be totally honest I'm so tired! (Do I write about being tired a lot on here?!) Today I left two different stores and forgot the thing I purchased! I used to be a with-it kind of gal!

What happened to me?!

Remodeling.

5th Anniversary! Hooray!

2010-05-05T07:23:00.000-07:00

05. 05. 05

5 fun gifts for my sweetie!
+
5 different colors of Calla Lilies for me!
+
A Cinco de Mayo sombrero
for Graham!
=

A Happy 5th Anniversary!

ps. We haven't even opened all the gifts yet because when we got home from dessert Graham awoke and was possessed by an evil spirit and we couldn't get him to calm until 1am! I think we are going to spend a weekend away in a few weeks! Anyone want to babysit the angel?

Harp Recital Finito!

2010-05-03T22:08:00.001-07:00

I just got home from our Spring Harp Recital. It is always so stressful to get everyone there and keep them stress free and confident. (If I could do all of those things I would have magical powers and be the best harp teacher in all the land!) Everyone played great and we took this picture at the end to document.

Down in front is Zahria, then Candace is the blond, the belted beauty is Kalani and Courtney is in the back hiding her pregnant belly... soon to be mother of three.

I love all my students and really enjoy teaching. But on nights like this I'm so glad the recital is over. Now I just have the big Harp Festival on Saturday and there will be a much needed break after that!

Brian, this photo is for you! To show my wide-mouthed excitement that the recital is over!!

ps. When I got home I found some Cadbury chocolate. Yum! I had several squares and then read they have 1.5 grams of fat PER square. I think I had ten squares. You do the math. Nice bedtime snack!!

3 Saturdays Ago

2010-05-03T13:31:00.000-07:00

(sista, sista)

Suz had been asking me to go skiing with her all winter and it took a lot of planning to go. I had to sleep at my parents so they could watch Graham (Marty was working) and gather all my ski stuff (???) and be ready to go by 830 (the mornings are my hardest). But we did it! We made it out the door with a hodge-podge of ski accessories and breakfast in our bellies.

I had nice skis and boots, but everything else was hilarious. I could not find my ski bag with all my stuff in it ANYWHERE! So I was stuck with other winter wears. For example, I found gloves, red ones and my Mom said, "Aren't those from 7th grade? "
Yes Mom... they are from 7th grade.

My hat was cute, but not functional. See those holes? It got super windy up top and Suz gave me her gaiter for my head. I would have died with out it! I also had a real issue with my pants. I grabbed the ski pant LINERS not the actual pants. So they were waterproof which was good, but there were pockets on the sides that had no zipper, no Velcro, no mechanism of closure at all. So it was just a single layer against the elements. I got some safety pins and closed them shut, but that was a flappy closure. In the end, I was saved by tape; packing tape. A nice tight seal and I was off having a wonderful day. Not cold a bit.

But the whole day I just couldn't believe myself. My Dad had taught me better than that.

Be prepared!

Be sure you have all the proper equipment. You can always take off a layer if your too hot. If your head is warm, your body will be too!

It was so funny. All these tiny little things that I know so well kept popping into my head the whole day and I couldn't believe I had forgotten.

Maybe it is because I only ski once a year, but lesson RE-learned!
Be prepared!

ps. Suz and I had an amazing time! We skied most of the day and ate a delicious lunch (my favorite part of the day) and shared a big brownie! Love you Suz and thanks for the invite!

pps. Suz was overly prepared and she shared. Thanks Suz!

Sick Day

2010-05-02T09:01:00.000-07:00

(This isn't right?!?)

Graham and I are home from church. We are both sick. We have both been trying to get better for two weeks and it seems to keep coming back or never leaving. Graham has been wheezing pretty bad and the doctor think he has Asthma. I know it is pretty common, but I feel bad for the little man because he has the triphecta... Eczema, Allergies and Asthma. The doc said they do usually grow out of it, but when he gets a virus or allergies it seems to go straight to his lungs. He has had this cough that has now turned into Bronchitis. So we decided to stay home to say the least.

Me on the other hand I've been trying to hang on. About two weeks ago I came down with a cold, sore throat, etc. But then while I was teaching harp I started to have a POTS episode. My arms and hands went numb. I couldn't use my fingers. My heart was beating funny and fast. My lips started to tingle. I was scared. I haven't felt that way in a really long time. I deal with my normal day to day issues with POTS- the tachycardia, fatigue, dizziness and general desire to feel better, but this was different. I left book club that night after trying to keep going all day and pretend it was going to get better. I drove to my in-laws and they helped me contact my doctor and drove Graham and I back to Salt Lake. I hope they know how much that meant to me. I love them!

So I started to rest and get over the virus. It seems that whenever I'm sick my POTS is worse. The doctor told me it would be and I know it to be true. Then I got reprimanded by my sweet doctor. He told me I'm doing too much and that I need to slow down. He said I "think" I can do a lot, but my body is still fragile.

I'm almost glad for the excuse to take it easy. I have not been feeling great and this allows me to justify my favorite thing... a nap! I promised Dr. W that I would slow down and not skip my pills (oops).

Well... this week has been so busy. I've almost had to drive to Provo every day to help my harp students prepare for Harp Festival next week. I think I over did it. I have a bad sore throat and I decided to follow the doctors orders and take it easy today. Wish us well!

Graham and I are watching Shrek! Happy Sabbath!

Date Night

2010-04-14T08:04:00.001-07:00

Marty and I are trying to go on a weekly date night. We decided this week Tuesday would be best because babysitters are easier to come by! We have been wanting to see Young Victoria for months, but things just have come up and we missed the show. It has been just down the road at the Broadway, but last night the only theater that had it playing was in West Valley! So we made a night of it! We went out to Hobby Lobby (a glorified Michael's) and browsed the aisles. I needed to pick up a few things for the bathroom revamp and Marty was such a good husband to admire the plethora of crafts, home goods, seasonal decor and so on! After we left the far west of Hobby Lobby we drove in a few miles to our designated theater! It was great! It was "Stimulus Tuesday" so we got dollar popcorn and dollar drinks! And we may or may not have downed nachos and jalapenos! We were the only two in the whole theater! Marty kept talking really loud and making me laugh!

Now to the film. We love our costume dramas but I dare say this was a TEN! We had heard it was good and I promise you it is! Worth driving to West Valley to see it in the theater! It was filmed beautiful! Emily Blunt and Rupert Friend were perfectly cast and the feelings of love it portrays are emotional, heart warming and familiar. The only thing negative about the film, was its length. It was too short! Could have been an hour longer! After we left I told Marty I was born in the wrong century and int he wrong country! This was my kind of genres!

Candygraham gives it 4 stars! I'll see it again with you if you need someone to go to West Valley with! It is a bit sketchy out there!

A Toddler's Toughest Decision

2010-04-13T15:08:00.000-07:00

I walked in the room and stopped to listen to what Graham was saying to himself....

G: "Milk or Juice?"

(pause)

G: "Juice or Milk?"

(pause)

(Grab his cup of milk off the floor)

G "MILK!!!"

(Turns and smile)

Disneyland 2010

2010-04-12T12:25:00.000-07:00

Here are a few photos of our fun trip to Disneyland with Meg, Chris, Noah, Nick and Ava! We love Disneyland! We had an amazing day. The longest line we waited in was only 20 mins. We ate a lot of good food... including the best corndog of my life! (I love corndogs if you wanted to know!) Graham had fun, but didn't understand about waiting in line. We put a backpack leash on him to keep him from running away from us (the boy is fast) and when we were in line he would escape between everyone's legs and we would have to drag him back! So sad, but also funny! He loves Mickey and Minny and is still talking about going into their houses. One day is never enough for me to take it all in! I want to go back...maybe the fall? Halloween is suppose to be really fun? Enjoy the photos!

Stomping Grounds

2010-04-06T19:38:00.000-07:00

A few Sundays ago Marty and I decided to take Graham and walk around Temple Square. It was a perfect afternoon and we let Graham run up and down the steps of the conference center. It was perfect to release his energy before bed! Marty took a few photos of our adventure!

We love living in Salt Lake and are having so much fun exploring our new neighborhood!

Do you like my green outfit? Green pants- Green coat- Green shoes!

Snow!

2010-04-06T11:58:00.000-07:00

It has really snowed here today and I felt it was appropriate to post these photos of a snowy day two months ago! We did another photo shoot for my-harp-student's-uncle. We are all for it! Free family photos! A few turned out cute, but Marty and I both don't look great in hats! Marty says it makes his head looks small and his face look fat. I look bald!

Happy April Snow!

2010-03-04T21:13:00.000-08:00

The Original Bowl Hat!

Reverence?

2010-03-02T21:06:00.000-08:00

How do you teach your child to be reverent in Church?
Well apparently I'm failing, because this video that Rich
captured is just too perfect!
He kept doing this all during sacrament meeting!

Yesterday was also an interesting day with Graham.
I had big plans to clean and organize my house but
Graham had different plans. Like destruction... dum, dum, dum!!

Graham
1. Drew on my fluffy green pillow with marker
2. Spilled bleach in the laundry room (it was a small leak, but still)
3. Poured milk into the coal cars of all his train, which spilled on the train table
4. Painted, with water color, on the wood floor
5. Destuffed one of my other fluffy green pillows
6. Spit milk all over his rocker
7. Put the recorder (musical instrument) in the toilet
8. Hit Mom in the nose
9. Wrote, with pen, on my newly dry cleaned and pressed (first time in 5 years) duvet cover.
10. Went to bed

You ask, where was his mother?

I was right by him the whole day!!!

ps. The Pen on the duvet cover was a killer! It took my 45 minutes with rubbing alcohol and q-tips!

Pure Delight!

2010-02-28T16:23:00.000-08:00

Graham eating his favorite food... Spaghetti! While Daddy was gone this weekend on a scouting camp out Graham was my main man. We cuddled long and ate cookies and milk before bed! It was a treat for me to have him all to myself!

(Because when Marty is around he only has eyes for his Dad!)

Where's Graham?

2010-02-16T21:03:00.000-08:00

On my freshly made bed!

Love for Feet

2010-02-16T08:51:00.000-08:00

Hope everyone feels loved after Valentine's Day! My feet sure do! I'm walking around my house this morning in my new running shoes and can't believe how great my feet feel! It is probably not right to admit this, but I've had the same running shoes for 8 years! I've been trying to workout hard lately and my feet, knees and ankles were feeling the 8 years of wear and tear! But my dearest lover gave me these beauties for V-Day! I love you Marty!! (and so do my arches!)

A Sabbath Tale

2010-02-08T14:47:00.000-08:00

Graham was so wild at church yesterday that I thought I should record this story for all woman-kind.

We have sacrament meeting last and Graham is always very tired after having a wonderful time in Nursery. We go and sit down, near the back of our small chapel. Our chapel is very unique because it is stadium seating- no benches and there is a bit of a decline from the back to the front. After we had already taken Graham out once and brought him back in again we let him just stand by the side of our row. He seemed to just want to look around and smile at people. But then I hear “3, 2, 1… go!” from Graham! Before I could even register he was half way down the aisle. I start walking quickly for him and he turns for the front. We both are colliding with the young men as they begin passing the sacrament and half way up the other side I catch him. I try and smile and hide the fact that I’m sweating and so embarrassed. So after all that I go into another room because he is kicking and screaming because he wants to run around. Towards the end of the meeting I ask him if he wants to go and sit by Daddy and draw. He says, “oh yes!” So I think we are good. As we are entering the chapel I’m looking for our seats and Graham scrambles out of my arms. He starts the “3,2,1 … go!” again. I lunge after him, because I’m not planning on running another lap, and I FALL in the aisle. It was awesome! I think I was so weak and tired from fasting that when I stepped forward to grab him I just collapsed. We went back in the hall and all I wanted to do was go home, but we went up to the Nursery and played while I calmed down and remember that Graham is darling and that he is just tired. We came home and put Graham to bed and I took a much-needed rest.

The End

Snack Time

2010-02-07T15:45:00.000-08:00

We watched my parents dog, Max, while they were in Mexico last week. It was actually kind of fun, because Graham loved having a constant playmate. I'm in no way saying I want a dog, but I will doggy-sit when my parents travel and that means we will be seeing Max quite a bit!

Graham and Max would get on each others nerves at times... Max would still Graham's binky and Graham would smother Max with blanket, but I happened about an evening kitchen snack between the two!

Every boy should share a snack with his bud!
Don't you think?

Primary Post

2010-02-06T20:14:00.001-08:00

In my old ward I was 2nd counselor in the Primary and after moving to my new ward I have the same exact calling, 2nd counselor in the Primary! It is great fun, but lots of work. I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed at times, but having fun doing projects, spotlights, primary CDs, birthday gifts and Sharing Times. This is my month, 4 weeks in a row, of Sharing Times. I just finished putting everything together for tomorrow, but I'm sitting here asking myself, "Why did you wait until Saturday night to do this?!" Do any of you wait until the last minute to finish off something you've know about for a month?! Probably not, but I can hope!

This is my vow that I will not finish next week's Sharing Time at 9pm on Saturday night.

p.s. Marty has been waiting for me to finish so we can watch a movie and he has happened about the old Disney musical, The Slipper and the Rose, on Youtube. He is over there laughing and saying, "Come look at what they are making these old guys do!" So funny!

2010-01-27T13:09:00.000-08:00

Marty brought home some Hob Nobs yesterday. I was unaware that he had them and we were chatting I noticed out of the corner of my eye the familiar packaging and asked him very suspiciously, "What are those, where did you get them?"

I was elated when I discovered they really were Hob Nobs! Someone from Marty's work had given them to him and I was ready to pounce! Suzy and I have been watching our treat intake, but I gave in today! (Suzy this is my confession).

These Great Britain morsels are cookies with chocolate on top. I gained five pounds in England, mostly do to these and Digestives. It brought me back to such a fun time living in London and renewed my desire to take Marty there. Their food isn't all that great, but their treats are!
Yummy Chocolate!

Anyone else loves these like I do?

Fall Photos

2010-01-26T13:28:00.000-08:00

I just found these photos from a few months ago that I never posted. It was so fun because Graham and I were able to be in a little photo shoot for one of my harp student's uncle, a photographer. In exchange for us doing it, he gave us all the photos.

I thought they turned out really cute, so for Christmas I made a little iphoto book for one of Marty's gifts. He loved it! Which made me so happy, because my main-squeeze is tough when it comes to gifts.

Isn't Graham a cutie? It was only 22 degrees outside and he was such a trooper!

Mexico 2010

2010-01-21T20:42:00.000-08:00

Marty and I returned from 6 days in beautiful Puerto Vallarta! Marty surprised me with this trip for Christmas, and I was really was so surprised! It was also Marty's 34th, yes people 34th birthday, while we were there. We had such a fun time celebrating and mostly relaxing. We ate, read, swam, ate, read swam. It was a perfect trip (another than the one day of rain... but we took a glorious nap!) We went fishing one morning with Alonzo (the fisherman), I got two massages, Marty got his first massage ever and got his bum rubbed by a senorita on his birthday, and I ate salsa until my heart and stomach were content!

Thanks Marty for such a fun week!

Also a special thanks to my Mom and Dad for watching the little man while we were gone!

Presenting... my new black walls!

2010-01-06T21:35:00.000-08:00

I was talking to my mother-in-law a few weeks ago about the new paint color for the front rooms. I said Dark... she said Black. I've learned to always trust her (especially when picking paint) and I'm so happy I did. I think it turned out great! A lot of people we worried it would look like a dark cave or something, but there is so much light and the floors and trim help by being white. My friend Meg sent me an article entitled, Black is the new... ummm, black!

I think they are right! I love it!

Photos for People you want to see the outside of my house!

2010-01-06T21:33:00.001-08:00

Happy New Year!

2010-01-06T21:12:00.000-08:00

Patch Christmas Party

2009-12-12T07:07:00.000-08:00

Last night we went down to Provo for Marty's family's X-mas party! They have such a big family we need to have it at a church. It was really fun. Marty's aunt and sister, Julia, helped put it together. There was food, games and Adonna gave each great grand child treats! Graham says, "Adonna" so cute! She loves it!

I love the picture of all four Patches. They look alike!

Merry Christmas!

Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child

2009-12-12T06:57:00.000-08:00

I think I mentioned that Graham is having issues sleeping at our new house. He is climbing out of his crib (Jack in the box), waking up in the middle of the night, resisting naps, tantrums and waking up early. It has been rough on him and me. The first week here I devoted my days to doing exactly what my sleep book (Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child) said to do. The first day of my sleep-schedule boot camp I put him back in his crib 40 times! The second day 12 times. The third zero. The fourth day 4 times. The fifth day 4 times. I stopped keeping track.

Yesterday he stayed in his crib and that is all I know.

We are still working through it, but I know part of my problem is that I'm trying to do a lot for Christmas and the house and it often interrupts his nap or he gets to bed late. If I follow the book it all seems to work much better. Also, I think that he is just trying to adjust to this new house (as am I) with all its new spaces and noises.

If anyone has any tips I would love the advice!

Thanks!

Sing a Song!

2009-12-12T06:52:00.000-08:00

Graham loves to watch this video from Sesame Street! (Singing with the Celebrities) He has turned into quite the singer lately: Elmo, Thomas, and the Kindermusic CD. This is the best video I could get of it, but he sure is cute when he sings!

A tribute to my Mom...

2009-12-12T06:26:00.000-08:00

Before moving into our house we lived with my Parents for 6 weeks! My Mom and Dad both loved having Graham around, but my Mom truly never left his side. She read books, played trains, watched movies and even let Graham play in Max's (the dog) water bowl!

Graham loves his Nan and so do I!

Thanks Mom for everything!

Thanksgiving!

2009-12-12T06:18:00.001-08:00

Thanksgiving with the Patches was amazing yet again! We had a feast that was 100% Tayva's masterpiece! We helped assemble when we arrived in the morning, but it was a real treat to show up and eat! Thank you Tayva for all your hard work! It was delicious and such a fun day with the family.

Another milestone...

2009-12-12T06:15:00.000-08:00

3 paper towels High!

Moving along nicely...

2009-12-05T21:04:00.000-08:00

I'm sitting at my kitchen table in my new house eating chips and salsa. (My favorite snack!) Marty is outside shoveling our driveway for the first time and I have a few minutes to take in the week. It has been a busy, crazy week, but we are finally getting settled. (Except Graham hasn't been sleeping well, but that will be another post.) We still have boxes to unpack and so so so much remodeling to do, but it is starting to feel like home. I've been able to cook quite a bit this week and get a feel for this new kitchen. Only two burners work on the stove (Marty said he would fix that) and there was zero counter space. My father in law so ingeniously created a butcher block top to cover our exposed dishwasher Marty installed and a place for the microwave. The home had no dishwasher before because the owner had opted for a wood burning over! Anyway, back to the cooking, it has been fun! And I plan to cook a lot this winter with my lack of friends and family in Salt Lake! So come on over and I will feed you!

Here are pictures of my progress. I'm mostly posting this for myself, to see how much really can get done in a week! I hope to accomplish just as much this week!

Scooby Doo, where are you?

2009-12-03T21:00:00.000-08:00

I just found my camera cord in a basket and downloaded my pictures! These ones are killing me tonight! This was a very fun movie making experience we had with Andrea (the hairy thief), Scott, Sadie, Elliet and Luke! It was for the Leaver's Halloween bash. Scooby dooby do!

What's been going on...

2009-11-16T19:22:00.000-08:00

Marty called me a few weeks ago and said, "I have a jackhammer in my trunk. Does that turn you on?" I laughed and said, "Yes!" He wants everyone to know his day job hasn't made him soft.

Marty has been working so hard on our new house every single night! We (Graham and I) have been living with my parents and Marty has been living at work and coming home on the weekends. He has been working all day at Cosmic and then all night at the house. But guess what???

We still haven't moved in.

The goal is this week and I can't wait. I miss my husband and am excited to get all our furniture in place and start unpacking. I'll post some pictures soon of the updates to the new house, including our awesome white floor.

If you need a Christmas Tree...

2009-11-16T19:14:00.000-08:00

...

there are two large ones in a dumpster in Salt Lake!

It was a month ago...

2009-11-16T18:48:00.000-08:00

But Graham turned 2!

It was a Super Party!
Our 2nd annual Halloween/ Graham's birthday Party!
Superman, Iron man, and Bat Woman!

Superman teaching Ironman to fly

Halloween represented: Bats and witches!

Graham's Girlfriend Izzy!

Graham's buddy Will!
(sorry for the blur)

Marty is so strong. He is always scaling buildings.

Pinata!!!!!!!

Graham was a natural!

Candy clean-up!

Thanks everyone for coming! It was blast and meant a lot to our little fam!

Packing

2009-09-24T21:18:00.000-07:00

I'm so tired! We have been packing and taking up loads to the house in Salt Lake all week and I'm sitting on the sofa waiting for Marty to come home from unpacking another load and I want to vent. So I'm doing it on my blog. Is that okay? I think so. It seems like a good place.

So I guess any moving tips, boxes, or muscles would be of great assistance. But mostly I just want someone to tell me it will be worth moving into a really old house away from my friends and family!

On the positive side, Graham is loving all the boxes! They are making great towers and forts to play with. I also think that falling asleep at night before your head hits the pillow is such a blessing. I've never been a great sleeper, but this week has been awesome!

Thanks for reading this, if your still reading this! You're a good friend!

Nighty, Night!

Twenty Six and Breathtaking

2009-09-21T06:32:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday to Jessica.

Six years ago on her birthday I mounted an all-out celebration. She was turning 20, we had just started dating, and all I knew at the time was how excited I was about her. She was smart, funny, and downright lovely. Her birthdays always remind me of the beginning of our relationship, and I’m more and more grateful every year that I still have her.

Now of course I know more about her, and I’m amazed I ended up with her. It’s hard to imagine all the qualities you’ll need from your wife when you’re young—when your wife is young :). You’re looking for maturity sure. And a spiritual foundation. And someone fun and adventurous. Someone you can talk to for hours on end and love that they’re still talking to you.

But it’s hard to imagine everything you’ll be going through togther. In the first four and a half years of marriage we’ve bought two homes, served in several church responsibilities, given birth to a darling son and raised him for two years, dealt with an enormous health issue, seen specialists and prayed and fasted, toured a country abroad for the more part of a month, watched two complete television movie series, traveled by car and plane here and there, talked and talked and talked, been sick, gone out to eat, counseled family, counseled each other, worried, wondered, worked through various decisions that only we could sort out, survived crazy work schedules, and slowly acted more and more like adults (we’re not completely adults yet).

I know now that the only way life works is if you have a woman wiser than you, more disciplined than you, more resilient than you, stronger than you, more unconditionally loving than you, more emotionally mature than you, funnier than you, more patient than you, more devoted than you, and far more perfect than you. I am amazed—and we’re just getting started—how little I knew about what capacity my companion would need to have in life. I am in awe of Jessica who has all that capacity and plenty to spare. I cherish her and am humbled she’s mine. I am so so fond of her.

Jessica, for the sixth time in our life together, I love love love you on your birthday.

Graham and Ava

2009-09-19T12:23:00.000-07:00

A late night with the cousins! Around and around the yard they went!
Graham is such a gentleman, always driving the ladies around.
And Ava? Wild Woman! Watch out Meg!

Safety First!

What in the world! I know, I wondered the same thing!
She put her lips on a (cold) fire pit cover from the night before!

What a scary sight!
Halloween is coming!

Disneyland Marathon

2009-09-19T12:05:00.001-07:00

Just a few days before my little sister Suzy was running the Disneyland Marathon my parents bought me a plane tickets to go spend the weekend with her and our other sister Meg. Let's just say we had fun!

Graham and I just waiting for Suzy while she picks up running packet at the Disneyland Hotel!

The meal the night before the race. We have not stopped talking about how good our food was. I ate like I was running 13 miles the next day! We had hummus appetizer, Parmesan cheese bread, pasta, and dessert! I love to eat!

Watching everyone come across the finish line in their Disney attire! It was really fun!

Here she comes! Only a little further...

Go Suz Go!

She did great!

Random Summer Fun!

2009-09-19T11:47:00.000-07:00

I'm sitting on my bed while Graham is asleep and Marty is on some errands. Here I sit. Not wanting to face all the packing that must be done and not really knowing where to start today. Tomorrow is the Primary Program for our ward and I have been busy with those details this week. But without having to explain too much I want to post a few fun pictures from the summer as to not forget what a great summer it was!

This is a picture of Marty and the little fish that kept biting his nipple at Lake Powell! We had a wonderful trip to Lake Powell this year and to explain how relaxed I was... I only took this one picture! Thanks Patches for a great vacation! And thanks to Mom, Trina and Karen for watching Graham for a week! You are truly the best!

This is a photo of Graham on the front of our Bro-in-law's, Cody, new Fire Engine! Graham is all boy! Into everything trucks, trains and airplanes! His exponentially growing vocabulary centers around these very things! I know all the Thomas the Tank Engine songs, trains and dialogue by heart! So does Graham! It is amazing to see his little mind growing and learning everyday! Did I mention he also loves Barney, Elmo and Clifford? He likes his movies, just like his Dad!

Next, Jill and her kids spent August visiting Utah from Delaware! We loved seeing them, swimming with them and just plain being with them! Can't wait until Christmas! This is Anna, Graham, Mckay and Elle eating a little chips and salsa poolside!

This Old House will be our Old House on Monday!

2009-09-15T10:08:00.000-07:00

As many of our friends and family already know we are moving to Salt Lake. It has been in the back of our minds for a long time now, but over the last year we realized that we are done with the commute, so started looking for a home. This home is only 7 minutes from Marty's work, which means he can come home on late nights instead of sleeping on the couch at work! We are so excited to be able to spend more time together. The last few weeks have been crazy at Cosmic Pictures and has even further confirmed our decision to move. It has been a hard decision to leave Provo, because let's face it... I love Provo! Both of our families live here and best friends around the corner. It makes me tear up just thinking about living in this old house in an unfamiliar area, but then I realize it is only 45 minutes away and that is nothing! I can jump in the car and come down anytime and people can come up and visit (oh please come visit!) I am going to miss Provo and our little condo. I love being so close to the canyon and using the trail throughout all the seasons. I love Mount Timanogous and will miss looking out my window and seeing it daily. It has been a wonderful place to live and Marty and I have so many good and growing memories living here!

The home we are buying is on Yale Avenue in Salt Lake. We are so excited about the area and living right across the street from a beautiful restored LDS Church building. It was built in 1913 and currently has 4 bedrooms and 2 baths. We are getting the home for a great price and are excited about all the remodeling plans. We plan to do some initial changes that are quite small before we move in (paint, carpet removal, remove those trees in the front), but then live in the home for 6 month to 1 year before starting the remodel. Anyone that wants to see the before feel free to stop by! It is something else inside! Sometimes I can't be we are actually buying it! Marty and I just look at each other and laugh and say, "What have we gotten ourselves into?!"

We will be moving probably mid-October!
I'm keeping track of all my Halloween boxes!
Can't let a move get in the way of decorating and celebrating my favorite holiday!

Happy packing days in process!

Goals

2009-08-24T19:36:00.000-07:00

Since my heart doesn't beat like it used to I have to set goals to help push me to keep improving my cardiovascular strength. I started about 1 1/2 years ago with walking up and down my stairs to the car with Graham for an outing. This summer nearly 2 years later I set a goal to climb South Fork (from my condo) and make it to the gate. Well I am so pleased to announce... I did it! I felt like my heart was going to beat out of my chest and I wanted to throw up, but then I recovered and took the photo and flew back down the canyon. It was a beautiful moment in my life that I wanted to record. It has been a recovery process and I'm not 100%, but I'll get there! I can't wait to tell my doctor at my next appointment, but for now I'll rest and set a new goal... maybe Squaw Peak?

Maybe Next Year!

Condo For Sale

2009-08-20T21:27:00.001-07:00

It's official! Our wonderful condo is for sale!
more photos to come, but if you are interested please call
801-361-4912

and please tell your friends!

Park City Summer

2009-07-31T20:17:00.000-07:00

I think I forced the Patch Family into an excursion to Park City a few weeks ago while Andrea was visiting. Everyone was tired, including myself, but we wanted to have a fun night. So we drove up to Park City in Brian's Scout and had a beautiful and unobstructed view of the mountains, lakes and summer night.

We ate mexican food and then road the PC coaster. I would highly recommend the coaster over the alpine slides if you are paying the $$ anyway! Afterward we had ice cream at the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory (wow, that was long) and talked until it was gone. Then we drove home.

I was pleased with all the fun and I think everyone else was in the end! Thanks for coming everyone!
Love you!

Road Trip

2009-07-30T20:30:00.000-07:00

Our little road trip was to Sundance, Cascade Springs and then to Cafe' Galleria in Midway for Lunch.

Andrea, Tayva, me, and the children...
Elliet, Sadie, Luke and Graham were on the journey.

It was fun and everyone held up pretty well. It was a beautiful drive and fun to hike around a bit.

The pizza and gelato at the end were a great reward! :)

2009-07-30T11:48:00.000-07:00

Roses are Red,
Violets are Blue
Graham loves his Corn
Through and Through!

Sewing 101

2009-07-28T20:50:00.000-07:00

Andrea, my oober-talented sis in law, helped me make this yoga mat carrier! We didn't even have a pattern. We laughed because Andrea says she needs to write a book called, "Ghetto Sewing by Andrea!" I think she is a lot more talented than she gives herself credit.
Just check out our end product!!!

London Town

2009-07-28T20:32:00.000-07:00

(Me, Missy, Tara, Meg, Taryn, Lindsay)

These are some of my dearest friends from my semester in London. Tara (the bride) got married and invited us to her reception at La Caille. It was such a wonderful night because we were able to get caught up after 5 years! I can't believe it has been that long!

These girls are amazing! Smart, Sexy and So much Fun! It was the first time in my life that I was able to live with a bunch of girls and play!

Thanks Ladies for being my friend!

Love you!

ps. Steph we missed you!

My Flavorite!

2009-07-27T21:31:00.001-07:00

I have a new treat! It combines two summery treats in one- Root Beer and Ice Cream! You might be thinking Root Beer Float... no, no!

It is Root Beer Ice Cream!
Soft Serve at that!

Anyone want to go? Day or Night?
I'm in!

It is delicious!

ps. The Provo A&W doesn't carry it, but the Orem location on State by Kmart does!
Just in case you were wondering! :)

Like a Fish

2009-07-27T20:35:00.001-07:00

Graham finished his 3 weeks of swimming lessons! He can float on his back by himself (for a few seconds) and doesn't swallow any water when he goes under. He also can flip to his back when he goes forward on his belly first. I am happy with how the lessons went (especially after he stopped screaming and my eyes stopped watering because I thought my child was drowning) but I'm a little worried it is going to be hard to keep up the same rules. For example, if he jumps for you, you are not suppose to pick him up, but let him flip to his back on his own. It is a rough few seconds for all involved. But I know in the long run he will be safer if he can swim at an early age. I'm hoping sooner rather that later so we can take him to Lake Powell in a few years!

Thanks Chels for letting us know about the swim lessons.

Cheers to safe swimming!

(The last picture of Graham gives me a weird feeling-like he is drowning in the photo or a porcelain doll or something ! I'm thinking of taking that one off.)

Kindermusik

2009-07-15T22:11:00.000-07:00

Last week we finished our third round of Kindermusik!This is a photo of Graham soaking up the last few minutes of the fun! He truly thrived in these classes. I would recommend them to anyone. He totally loves all music and dances when ever he hears music. He even starts dancing to the hymns during sacrament meeting. What child wouldn't love playing with instruments, dancing, signing, playing with their mom and eating snacks?

Thanks Ms. Julee!

Father's Day Sunday ... Sundae!

2009-07-15T22:02:00.000-07:00

Yummy! We celebrated the wonderful men in our lives this Father's Day with giant sundaes! They were delicious and really not that big! :) I can handle my ice cream and brownies! The truth is we actually shared two of these in one day! Yikes! One for Marty's dad Brian and one for my Dad too!

The idea came from my friend 110%! Thanks Meg!

I'm trying to make up an excuse for another Sundae soon. Maybe Pioneer Day?

R & R's Open House

2009-07-15T21:42:00.000-07:00

Here are a few photos from the Open House for Rich and Randi. It was held in the Patch's beautiful backyard and designed by Tayva, my very talented and right-brained mother in law. It looked amazing and had such a unique style (Anthropologie mixed fabrics- so now!) I helped with a few things, but so did a lot of people.
Enjoy the photos!

Rich and Randi

2009-06-17T21:10:00.000-07:00

It's Official!

Here are some photos from Rich and Randi's beautiful wedding! It was a wonderful day (with no rain) and we were so happy to be a part of it all. Rich and Randi are a perfect couple and I'm thrilled to have Randi as a new addition to the family.

I've got some video I need to post of Graham dancing at the reception. He was "cutting the rug" as Marty likes to say! :)

Yes, Marty is my old, yet very handsome old man! And Graham may have picked up some of Marty's dancing DNA! Watch out world!

19 months

2009-06-14T20:24:00.000-07:00

Graham watching Curious George!

He only occasionally looks at me with those eyes!

But aren't they beautiful?

PHOTO 101

2009-06-07T20:13:00.000-07:00

These photos are from when Graham and I joined Marty on a location scout for an upcoming commercial. We were at Antelope Island on the Great Salt Lake. I had never been there before and thought it was very beautiful! I must admit it was better from the car. The bugs and sulfur were intense, especially when the sun started to set. We had a fun time and got some pictures of us along the way. Marty took all the photos, but tonight he showed me how to use some different techniques on my Photoshop. What do you think? I'm proud of my multi-talented husband for having the patience and skill to teach a beginner a few tricks. It has been a very busy Sabbath between two sharing times, Marty teaching Young Mens, visiting two families and dealing with our darling, very tired boy. We needed to unwind and have had a great evening on the sofa! I love you Marty Patch! I'm so happy you are mine!

Black Tie and Black Dress

2009-06-03T21:06:00.000-07:00

We got all dressed up for a big event! Marty's company won an award at Utah's "Best of State." There was orchestral music, acceptance speeches, but no red carpet. We had so much fun and are now more motivated to work towards a real Oscar.

Brangelina you got nothing on us, but more kids!

Dallas

2009-06-03T20:33:00.000-07:00

After Delaware we flew to my other brother's home in Dallas, Texas. He graduated with his Masters in Architecture and we couldn't be more proud of him. Marty, Graham and I stayed with Scott and it was so wonderful to be able to spend so much time with him because we really don't get to see him that much! (If we buy this home we are looking at in SLC we plan to fly him up and get his expertise with the remodel... so we will see him then!) We ate the most delicious food in Dallas and were able to get a quick tour of the city. We will definitely be going back again to have a more in depth stay. Thanks Scottie! We love you!

(I think my eyes might be closed in the below picture, but it is good of everyone else!)

Pixie Hallow

2009-06-03T20:24:00.000-07:00

Here is a photo of our fairy houses we built while in Delaware! We got the idea from Megan and her darling girlies, check her flowing creative juices out here. Elle, Jill and I had such a wonderful afternoon that I questioned who had more fun, Elle or me? It truly might have been me! Their backyard forest was the perfect setting for such a fairy dwelling and something just might be arriving in the mail to sweep those fairy sized porches! We'll just have to wait and see!

New York City

2009-06-03T20:10:00.000-07:00

We walked around New York until evening and then we literally had to run to catch our train at Penn Station. We loved New York and can't wait to find a cheap fair to visit again soon!
A special thanks to Nicole (new mama to Elle and Sophia, identical twin girls... I can't even type it without smiling) for all her help in planning and executing a fun filled day in NYC!

Chesepeake Bay

2009-06-02T20:47:00.000-07:00

A wonderful time was had by all on Brett and Jill's new boat! We caught so many fish, ate strawberries and chased children around! Thanks again!