February 2010

We just got back from our big trip to Big Lake. Although the trip was cut short due to a huge snow storm in Dallas, we had a great time! We took public transportation to the airport so Patrick was able to ride a bus, train and airplane all in one day! It was so nice of Aunt Janet and Uncle Charles to drive us to Big Lake from San Antonio. Uncle Pat, Aunt Denise, Christina and Stephanie also came out to visit. It was really great to see everyone.

Patrick was so excited to see Paw Paw's cows, he is still asking to go to the ranch. Meme and Paw Paw bought him his first cowboy hat and when he wears it he calls himself "Cowboy Small" which is one of his favorite books.

Meme and Paw Paw's neighbor let us borrow his "mule" to drive around town. Patrick told his teachers that he rode in a dump truck. Some other highlights of the trip for Patrick were Meme's snickerdoodle cookies and Daddy's cool trucks and toys from his childhood. They really don't make toys like they used to. We're getting back into our routine, but can't wait to head back to Texas.

January 2010

We've really been enjoying the snow this winter. We love having a yard to play in. We've attempted to make a snowman a few times but failed...we have made a lot of snow angels and Patrick has filled his dump truck up many times.

Patrick is taking an indoor soccer class, he is really in to kicking and throwing the ball, but could care less about singing the itsy, bitsy, spider. He likes to crawl behind the goal too, hmmm still working on those listening skills, but we're having a good time.

I think these photos are actually from the beginning of February. Patrick was working on clearing all of the snow from the yard one weekend, he's a hard worker :) Little did we know we would have a huge storm dumping 12" of snow just a couple of days later. Patrick was excited for more rides in the sled and snow angels.

Christmas 2009

Yes, we are very behind on blog updates. Let's see if I can mult-task and watch the Olympics and catch up on the blog. December was a busy month full of neighborhood and family birthday parties, but we had a great time. We were able to see Santa at Macys and had dinner at the Walnut Room. Patrick talked about the big Christmas tree for days after. I think that is when Christmas really started to get exciting for him. We had fun decorating our house this year, everyone decorates in our neighborhood so we will have to step it up next year, ha!

We spent the long Christmas weekend in Michigan and had a great time with the Corcoran family. Patrick had a great time with Keegan, Mackenzie and Nora. He was a very lucky boy and received some great presents from Santa and family.

We had a great time sledding one afternoon with the family. I think everyone went down the hill at least once (maybe not Grandma?) I was definitely sore for a few days after.....

We finished the weekend off by skiing at Shanty Creek, I don't remember the hills being that small, but it was fun to show Charlie where I learned to ski. We can't wait until next year when Patrick can join us.

Dec 19, 2009 - First Snow of Winter 2009 / 2010

Dear Grandparents-

The basement is finally ready for me and my parents. Mom has her ski chair (photo above) and I think it is great to climb on the skis. It snowed while we were loading the basement with furniture. I am happy to have my sled and puppy to play with in the snow. I am looking forward to the birthday parties this weekend. My neighbor, Noreen, is having her third birthday and baby Mark Bouwman is having his first birthday. My great grandma Betty Goss will be at Mark's birthday party.

We pulled Miko in the sled today and he must have really enjoyed the sled because he stayed in the sled for a half hour. Dad and I painted a Christmas tree. We hung the painting on the basement wall.

Happy Thanksgiving

Breakfast with Liberty the Fish

The finished Choo Choo Train

The Gingerbread Choo Choo Train Team

Decorating the Train

Wow, did Dad and I really build that?

Patrick and Liberty, best buds.

Patrick, Nora, and Miko.....best best buds.

Hope everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving!

Halloween 2009

My neighbor Maggie and I getting ready to Trick or Treat.










Happy Halloween. The photos are from the 2009 Forest Glen party and the Trick or Treat fun. I dressed up as a dinosaur and I enjoyed saying "Trick or Treat" and putting the treats in my Jack O' Lantern. Mom and Dad placed our treats on the doorstep in an inexpensive plastic bowl. When we returned from the end of the block, we found all the treats and the bowl gone. We suspect the teenagers may have made off with all the treats.



(Left) My dinosaur costume provides some camoflauge for Trick or Treating. Sometimes Daddy cannot find me after I return from our neighbors door.








Chocolate cupcake at the party, no icing.














Photo at the party.

Fall Fun, October 3rd and October 4th

To all,

Mom and Dad decided I needed to attend a couple of Fall Festivals this past weekend. Mom wanted to decorate our front steps and our new rain barrel....and the fall festival was the perfect place to start. Dad entered the GPS coordinates and we were off to north Cook County. After one iteration of the video Max and Ruby Find the Perfect Pumpkin, we had arrived at the farm. Mom and Dad started out looking at potted mums....but we soon were looking for our own perfect pumpkin. The oversized red wagons were fun to pull and our pumpkins were able to fit.

Mom decided we had found the perfect pumpkins and we were off to ride the ponies. Dad was the official photographer and mom was the official equestrian coach. I was hesitant at first until Mom pointed out the fact that I was not the youngest cowboy in the roundup.....and before I knew it we were circling the herd. I held on to the saddle horn and I could not help but smile and shout to Dad...."I am riding a pony"....."I am riding a pony"......I was glad Mom encouraged me to try it.

Then Mom and Dad showed me the goats, sheep and pigs. I said hello to each pen and then ran off to drive the emergency vehicles.

I got to drive and Dad rode in the car seat. Mom said that I was a better driver than Dad and she could tell that I truly enjoyed driving.

Next we were off to the petting zoo. Mom and I fed the animals. I told Dad the names of the animals and that they were real animals. Mom made me laugh when we asked one of the animals ... Is your Mama a Llama? That still cracks me up.

Mom and Dad gathered a couple more things for the front porch and then we were on our way back home. I think Mom did a good job with the decorating.

Rain Barrel

Friendly Scarecrow and the Happy Jack O' Lantern.

Day Two: The apple orchard in Wisconsin.

Just two videos worth of driving and we arrived at the apple orchard in Wisconsin. I loved teh orchard even though they did not have ponies. They did have the Golden Goat Bridge but the goats were too cold to cross the elevated bridge in high winds. We gathered some apples and went to get our taffy apples from the gift shop.