tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40968496849285708642024-03-13T05:34:57.725-07:00Pate Family FunIn Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore. -Psalms16:11 NKJVPate Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02579711034536534752noreply@blogger.comBlogger269125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4096849684928570864.post-2316498797992069002014-11-09T22:19:00.000-08:002014-11-10T09:48:32.633-08:00The little one is now five. Dear Reagan,<br />
<br />
Oh my, little one. This day F.I.N.A.L.L.Y. came. The anticipation for this birthday has been building since the day after the last one. From November to about June multiple times a day you would say, "can you get me this for my birthday?" Regarding about everything you saw, from a pack of gum to cars that were colors you liked. My favorite was when you asked for lots of money for your birthday, you said, "what is the biggest number?" Hudson told you infinity and so you said, "Yeah, that is the amount of money I want." Then you mostly stopped asking for things, I think with the excitement of summer and your siblings being around all day. But then, around the beginning of October someone told you that your birthday was coming. Since then we have been counting down and you thought it was taking an absolute eternity. On Sunday last week you had a bit of a meltdown because we wouldn't change your birthday to, "a quicker coming day." You exploded into our room yesterday morning at 5:15 a.m. announcing, "TOMORROW IS MY BIRTHDAY!" We were frightened about what that meant for what time you would wake up today, but you gave us a blessed gift and slept today until 6:45. Thank you so much for that.<br />
<br />
We were thrilled that you didn't have a meltdown today about not getting the two things you have been asking for over the last month, a pony and baby cheetahs. You have it all figured out, half of the greenway will be for the pony, the other half for the baby cheetahs. At first you would say, "which one is real again, ponies or unicorns?" You couldn't remember which one, it was super cute. You now have it figured out, ponies are real, but you still aren't getting one. We had tears over it a few times because I kept telling you that you weren't getting them, I figured tears before your birthday was better than major disappointment on your birthday. That seems to have worked. <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c0dcAZs6FVQ/VGBSzAtHMiI/AAAAAAAACYE/u-aQkXXLsPM/s1600/IMG_1202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c0dcAZs6FVQ/VGBSzAtHMiI/AAAAAAAACYE/u-aQkXXLsPM/s1600/IMG_1202.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a><br />
The birthday person always gets to pick what is for breakfast and dinner. It started out that people would ask for homemade cinnamon rolls, and occasionally deviate to chocolate chip pancakes. You really moved from that and instead asked for chocolate cereal, and everyone gets TWO bowls. We rarely have cereal, and if we do it is just one bowl that goes with a banana and maybe eggs. So this was a big treat. For your birthday dinner you have chosen lasagna and broccoli. You love roasted broccoli with olive oil and sea salt. You are such a good eater. You recently said to me, "You know what I haven't tried? Eating fish and also eating the bones out of the meat." I'm going to have to let you try some fish beyond tuna, but bones aren't happening.<br />
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This afternoon as Daddy and I were chuckling together about your friend party today, he said that I needed to mention in this letter that you are your own person. I think I should go far beyond mentioning it, and make it the theme of this year. You are very much your own person. You and your three older siblings are definitely a little unit. Our family is a great little team. But you don't blend in, you are a very distinct, important member of everything. With older siblings that have very strong personalities, it would be easy to just go along with the flow. That is not what you do. You hold your own, and make your opinion known.<br />
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One of the best examples of how you have your own plan is your Halloween costume. This year you have loved the movie Frozen. Princess Elsa mesmerizes you. The song, "Let it Go," has been played and sung in our house so many times it is emblazoned into all of our heads. So you absolutely wanted to be Elsa for Halloween. However, you planned your own little tweak on the costume. Your plan all along was to wear a pirate hat and a pirate eye patch with the costume. I thought this was awesome, Daddy was a bit horrified. When the church Harvest Party rolled around a few days before halloween however, you discovered it didn't work to wear the pirate hat with a tiara. After studying them both for a little bit, you exclaimed that it is more important to be pretty than it is to be cool and scary, so you were wearing the tiara.<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C_gZQaQlsC0/VGBRVO4DZrI/AAAAAAAACXY/QG7gCqQ1kFk/s1600/IMG_2712.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C_gZQaQlsC0/VGBRVO4DZrI/AAAAAAAACXY/QG7gCqQ1kFk/s1600/IMG_2712.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qxOrFvgwDt8/VGBRoZfAIpI/AAAAAAAACXo/qyzVh_RN_ng/s1600/IMG_1193.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qxOrFvgwDt8/VGBRoZfAIpI/AAAAAAAACXo/qyzVh_RN_ng/s1600/IMG_1193.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a>Trick-or-treating in Daddy's classroom.<br />
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You are a very fun kid to parent. You are clever, articulate, mostly obedient, and downright adorable. It is fun to take you places and you love school. The biggest thing I would say about this year is that you have become very social and want a friend to play with all the time. You enjoy other kids, and make friends easily. We carpool to preschool with Claire Totten, and every day I struggle to get you both in the car, because as much as you like school you would love to just stay and play here together. After school you want to play together almost every day. You are both adorable together and love each other so much. You have also gotten to know a little girl in our neighborhood, Isabel. Isabel is a first grader, and so she is just amazing to you. This summer you wanted to play with her all the time. You also love playing with Evelyn from church. Evelyn just had a baby sister last month, so that has made you curious about babies. You told us on a bike ride a few weeks ago that we need a baby. I said a baby what. You said a baby girl. I said sorry, you are the baby girl. That was not really what you were looking for as an answer. You are the perfect baby of a family, and despite an interest in babies, I don't think you would like giving up that title.<br />
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Your birthday party today, your first friend party, was attended by these three little girls. After much debate about what type of party to have, you settled on a craft party, with decorations from Frozen, of course. But again adding your own little twist, you also wanted to play zombie tag. That was influenced by your brother's end of summer party where we played tag with glow in the dark bracelets. So we made crowns, painted, decorated things with stickers, and played zombie tag. You loved every minute.<br />
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Your little voice is still adorable. We are down to just one thing that you say wrong, hamburgers. You say, "hang-ga-burs." I have threatened your siblings within an inch of their lives that they are not to teach you how to say it correctly. It is too cute, and our last mispronunciation and I want to hear it as long as possible. The other thing that I love that you say is, "I mean." You use, "I mean" the same way people say, "ummm." It is just a filler for you. It is so cute. Every third sentence, or so, will start with, "I mean." I love it.<br />
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This year you learned how to ride a bike. At Christmas Grandma and Grandpa Seaquist got you a balance bike. It was a cute little pink bike with no pedals. It took you a little while to catch on, but it was amazing. After learning how to balance on it, we just moved straight to a real bike, without training wheels. You just took right off riding it. It was so fun to have all our kids able to ride a bike. We went to Sunriver this summer and we could go on family bike rides! This all came to a screeching halt the week after Sunriver when you were biking in our neighborhood with Hudson and Zech and Zech was worried that you were going too fast down a little hill. You evidently wouldn't stop so he decided to ride in front of you to help you stop. Unfortunately, you fell and despite not having a scratch on you, you broke your elbow. The first set of x-rays weren't super clear about the break, so he put a splint on it and we came back in three weeks. Those x-rays were clear that it was definitely broken badly. You ended up having to have the splint on for 10 weeks total. We feel very blessed that you didn't have to have surgery on it, he told us there was about a 50% chance we would need that. You were awesome about the whole thing, hardly ever complaining about your arm. <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yjMI3Thw98o/VGBR2ZILUXI/AAAAAAAACXw/_1C0S-lS3bQ/s1600/IMG_2275.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yjMI3Thw98o/VGBR2ZILUXI/AAAAAAAACXw/_1C0S-lS3bQ/s1600/IMG_2275.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a><br />
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Despite the whole broken arm part, you learning how to ride a bike has been a great metaphor for how our family is changing. You are becoming a big kid, and consequently our family is in a place we have never been in since we first had children. This summer we were able to go on hikes, go places without worrying about someone needing a nap, and in general travel more lightly because we don't have "littles" anymore. This is a bit sad for a mom who loves babies, but also really fun for our family. You can keep up with everyone, and now we can do so many more things. The best part is how much fun you bring to everything you do. You love being a big kid and doing what everyone else is doing.<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iw1erVueMvw/VGBRSLNq4SI/AAAAAAAACXQ/D2Rf27DwfZU/s1600/IMG_2664.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iw1erVueMvw/VGBRSLNq4SI/AAAAAAAACXQ/D2Rf27DwfZU/s1600/IMG_2664.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a>This is you running, in the pouring rain, at the jog-a-thon. You ran twice, once with Camden's group. And again when Ainsley and Hudson ran. You were awesome and ran hard! It was so cute.<br />
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Every day for the past five years Reagan Joy, you have been an absolute delight. You make us laugh harder and love more than we would without you. There are many transition ages in childhood. Becoming a five-year-old is becoming a school-aged kid. You still have the rest of this year in preschool, but we are watching you change out of a little preschooler. You are in the process of a new step away from us, you are very interested in your own little social network. Deuteronomy 30:16 is the verse that comes to mind for you this year. As you start (or really continue) the process of making your own way I will be praying in all times in your life you live this: "For I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess." -Deut 30:16<br />
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Happy Birthday sweet Reagan Joy. Ainsley, Hudson, Camden, Daddy, and I couldn't love you one drop more. You are such a precious blessing.<br />
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Love, Mom<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: calibri, arial, verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wE0cloy7rqs/VGBS2hE0YcI/AAAAAAAACYY/dEbWCLQK1WU/s1600/IMG_1120.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wE0cloy7rqs/VGBS2hE0YcI/AAAAAAAACYY/dEbWCLQK1WU/s1600/IMG_1120.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a>Pate Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02579711034536534752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4096849684928570864.post-3924272993170439072014-04-13T21:44:00.003-07:002014-04-13T22:04:00.942-07:00The Era of Teenagers... AKA Ainsley turns 13!Dear Ainsley,<br />
<br />
Happy Birthday my sweet girl. I wrote a facebook post sometime last year that said, "when it comes to the age of my daughter, the number of her age should be pronounced "twelveteen." So although we have had glimpses of "teenager-ness," today it is official.<br />
<br />
You are a lovely teenager. You are sweet, kind, smart, compassionate, and you have in the past year become quite witty. You have gone from the kid, "we are laughing at your silly, kid-ness" to, "we are laughing at the things you say because you are actually funny." Of course as I sit down to write this none of these come to mind, but in recent months there have been many times when you pop off with a hilarious little comment. It is very entertaining to watch your more grown-up humor develop.<br />
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As Camden commented a few months ago, 7th grade is the middle of middle school. It is. And this fall it felt like full-on middle school. We had some drama-moments with you. It was probably about other Things, but it came out as drama about math. Specifically algebra. You had some learning about math to do, we had some learning about parenting to do. And about how to step back, and let you do what you were going to do. We had lots of talks about high expectations, and why we have them. As we have told you countless times, there is nothing you could or couldn't do that would make us love you one ounce less. Yet we are going to expect you to do your best, and there will be consequences when you don't. Not because we love you less, but because it is our job to make decisions for you on stuff that doesn't make sense to someone who only has 13 years of experience on the planet. As we were battling over school a bit, the possibility existed that you would have 3 "B"'s on your report card. When I pointed out that a GPA with 3 B's would mean you didn't make honor roll suddenly it kicked in for you. You said, "I can't sit up in the bleachers (instead of with the honor roll kids in chairs) during the assembly!" Almost by magic, that GPA skyrocketed. Last semester, you are back up to straight A's.<br />
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Overall, you are totally spoiling us as a teenager, and we know it. You work hard, are sweet and kind, and your siblings love you. Hero-worship is what Reagan has with you. What is also so cute is how much her friends all adore you as well. Getting to go in your bedroom is magical for the 4-year-old set. Probably part of that magical draw is the over 100 bottles of finger nail polish you own. You are a nail-art master.<br />
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Today, along with both sets of grandparents, we got you new furniture for your bedroom. I was worried you wouldn't be super excited about it, but you were overjoyed. You are so excited to reorganize your room. Something that totally overjoys me! But along with that came little pangs in both daddy and my heart. You went through and took out all the things off your shelves you didn't want. That included all your trophies, (you kept your math medal and medal from winning a tennis tournament last year), baby pictures, about 30 books that you decided were too young, and (gulp-little tear) a framed picture of dad and I that you used to pack and take with you places. Earlier this fall you brought out a big basket of all your Adventures in Odyssey CD's and told us you didn't want them anymore. I'm sitting here writing this next to these things stacked on the desk, physical evidence that you aren't a little kid anymore. I'm loving the young lady you are becoming, but I so loved the little girl you once were and it is hard not to mourn that being gone. I'm just going to keep looking forward to how awesome you are and praying for your exciting future.<br />
<br />
Notable things about your year are that you got braces (and you are the absolute best about taking care of them and wearing rubber bands), started going to youth group at Cornerstone (which has been awesome), went to Trout Creek Bible Camp again (one of your favorite places on earth), have become a powerful little tennis player (delighting your father to no end), and went with our family to San Diego (helping me navigate the first day without dad and with all four of you). This year you have really stepped up and it feels like having another adult in the house, which is awesome.<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UxLpZuJ5Ces/U0tnGGz_XbI/AAAAAAAACUQ/EZApzylUngI/s1600/IMG_5601.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UxLpZuJ5Ces/U0tnGGz_XbI/AAAAAAAACUQ/EZApzylUngI/s1600/IMG_5601.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a>(Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast At Tiffany's for Halloween)<br />
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There are countless little steps through childhood where you separate from your parents and become your own person. Or at least that is what the world tells us. Ainsley, I want you to grow up and be whatever you want to be. However, I don't want you to, "become your own person." I want you to be God's person. I want you to fully and completely embrace the view that you are living your life entirely to please God. The teenage years are hard because you are so focused on what others think of you. But nothing could be better for you than to just focus on what God thinks of you. He loves you so intensely that He died for you. Rose for you. Wants you to live forever with, and for Him. Grasping that reality will elevate you above every ounce of the teenager-garbage that the world thinks is inevitable.<br />
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In these years you are being assaulted with so much absolute rubbish. Proverbs 4:23 says, "Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it." You must intensely guard your heart by filling your heart with Jesus. Nothing else you do on earth will compare to the joy you will find in your savior.<br />
<br />
So that is how I will leave you as we enter into the beginning of 16 straight years of having a teenager in the Pate household. (many of those years there will be two, and a few with three!) As a teenager, (and always) guard your heart. Fill it with Christ. We will be here, praying for you and cheering you on.<br />
<br />
I love you so much my Ainsley Grace.<br />
<br />
Mom<br />
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<br />Pate Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02579711034536534752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4096849684928570864.post-48379260205989073852013-12-16T22:41:00.001-08:002013-12-16T22:41:11.852-08:00Dear Hudson,<br />
<br />
Happy Birthday! You have reached double digits! Ten years ago tonight you were this tiny little bundle, and now I can't hold you on my lap. You are long, big, and strong. Your feet are bigger than mine and your hands are close. Sometimes from behind in a crowd I will look for you and not recognize you because I don't recognize how big you are.<br />
<br />
When I think back to you as that little baby there are some things I'm not surprised about. You slept anywhere, ate a ton, and were not easily upset. You still sleep well, eat a ton, and you are very rarely upset. You were the sweetest, easy-going baby. You are a very sweet, easy going kid. The part that is different is now you are a very big kid, who is very physically active. When you were that tiny little bundle I didn't realize you would be this fast, rough and tumble, tree-climbing, athletic kid. It was hard to imagine that when you were a sleepy little baby. Now just looking at your strong, lean body it isn't surprising that you spend your days in constant motion.<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q0Rm7Wcs0Ak/Uq_rfqSs1WI/AAAAAAAACRc/eceQo40BEXE/s1600/IMG_0356.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q0Rm7Wcs0Ak/Uq_rfqSs1WI/AAAAAAAACRc/eceQo40BEXE/s320/IMG_0356.jpg" width="240" /></a>The growing boy, always eating.<br />
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You play soccer, basketball, and tennis. You would really like to play football, but we have decided the risks of football just aren't worth it. You settle for touch football at school. While you have asked to play, you don't complain even though you have many friends who play football. That is a great thing about your personality and character. You aren't a whiney kid, and we really appreciate that. You don't get sucked into drama at school, and get along with just about everyone. You have told us that some kids aren't nice, so you don't hang out with them. It doesn't bother you. This makes you very easy to parent.<br />
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Fourth grade has been great. You have Miss Krell, and she is pretty much a miracle worker. Knowing that she is strict, I worried that you would have a hard time adjusting to her. But you handle her high expectations very well. We have said in the past that you don't always hear adult voices. They are irrelevant to you. But you hear Miss Krell! You like that she jokes with you and you have talked about school this year more than you ever have before. It is a fun development for us. You are sometimes very quiet, or at least quiet for our family. But especially when we have you alone you are a little chatterbox. It is so fun to hear what you are thinking and excited about.<br />
<br />
You still love legos. In fact, I don't know why we have anything else but legos and balls. They are the only thing that kids in our family chose to do. It is fine with us. You build awesome things and have so much fun playing with your friends. If you could have a friend over every day you would. You walk in the door from school each day with two questions, "What can I eat?" and "Can I play with a friend?"<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t8Co9IxOd8A/Uq_rgU5RhpI/AAAAAAAACRg/WxbhpiGX8XM/s1600/IMG_0102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t8Co9IxOd8A/Uq_rgU5RhpI/AAAAAAAACRg/WxbhpiGX8XM/s320/IMG_0102.JPG" width="320" /></a>A Star Wars model at Lego Land<br />
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Watching sports on TV with dad is something you have grown into this year. You want to watch the Ducks or Beavers football, and now the Blazers. Last week daddy took you to a Blazer game and you loved it. Your birthday cake was the Blazer logo. I made the cake, but daddy did the decorating because he has spent much more time than I have with the blazer logo!<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fa4IF3-ODrs/Uq_w4fCe_UI/AAAAAAAACSI/06L9rUfR4Xg/s1600/IMG_0755.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fa4IF3-ODrs/Uq_w4fCe_UI/AAAAAAAACSI/06L9rUfR4Xg/s320/IMG_0755.jpg" width="320" /></a>The Blazer game last week<br />
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Hopefully no one will use this next part as proof that you committed arson, but you think it is awesome that you have learned how to light a match and make a fire. When we burned our leaves this fall you were on a mission to rake them so there were plenty to put on the fire. Blowing on the extinguished fire to make it come back to life was your favorite thing to do.<br />
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The best thing this year is that you chose to be baptized. You haven't always embraced getting up in front of people so when we first started talking about being baptized you didn't know if you wanted to do it because you knew people usually give a short testimony first. After carefully considering it you decided to do it. Even though we said you didn't have to talk first, you did. I was so proud of you. Daddy baptized you and Ainsley in the Sandy pool. You invited a couple of friends. It was very special and I've never been so proud of you. I'm so excited to see what God has planned for you.<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HG_FpdLDVvc/Uq_rhOGCMUI/AAAAAAAACRk/wtJh511yGmY/s1600/IMG_4747.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HG_FpdLDVvc/Uq_rhOGCMUI/AAAAAAAACRk/wtJh511yGmY/s320/IMG_4747.jpg" width="213" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iSzxtTKEaG8/Uq_riCBU6eI/AAAAAAAACR0/RDY1bKW4hhQ/s1600/IMG_4751.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iSzxtTKEaG8/Uq_riCBU6eI/AAAAAAAACR0/RDY1bKW4hhQ/s320/IMG_4751.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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Tonight we celebrated your birthday and you were so gracious about everything, extremely thankful and polite, and just so grown up. You couldn't have been sweeter. It is such a delight to watch you growing up. Tonight we got a glimpse of what a great man you are going to grown into. I'm noticing how brave you are and what a sense of right and wrong you have. You have a fun little personality and enjoy laughing and being silly. You are fun for us and other people to be around because you are easy and fun to spend time with. You are a great mix of entertaining, laid back, and energetic.<br />
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Hudson, daddy and I love you so much. I can't believe how fast you are growing. There is so much coming up for you, and we are going to do our best at guiding you to live a life in which you use all the natural charm, magnetism, and energy God has blessed you with to do the good works He has prepared for you. Hudson we want you to chose to do the right and kind things all the time. We are so proud of you and are so happy for each minute we get to spend with you.<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ykw9HSgeyVU/Uq_w4pCHCAI/AAAAAAAACSM/ArisI3nTuQo/s1600/IMG_0615.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ykw9HSgeyVU/Uq_w4pCHCAI/AAAAAAAACSM/ArisI3nTuQo/s320/IMG_0615.JPG" width="320" /></a>Celebrating your birthday and Camden's birthday at Great Wolf Lodge last weekend.<br />
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There are so many verses in Proverbs that I want to share with you as you are growing. A few of my favorites that if I could I would have on a repeating track in your head are:<br />
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Proverbs 4:18<br />
The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day.<br />
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Proverbs 1:7<br />
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.<br />
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<span style="color: #001320; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #001320; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">Watch over your heart with all diligence for from it flow the springs of life.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #001320; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">We love you so much Hudson. You are a joy and a delight. It has been a great ten years. I'm so excited for the next decade with you.</span></span></div>
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Pate Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02579711034536534752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4096849684928570864.post-3412773209611307422013-12-05T21:30:00.002-08:002013-12-05T21:30:47.979-08:00Camden's Birthday LetterDear Camden,<br />
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Today you turned 7. You, my not-so-little-anymore boy, are an exceptional child. Each day of the last year, and of your whole life actually, has been exciting. It dawned on me a few weeks ago that the best way to describe life with you is that it is one cliff hanger to another. You never really know what is coming next, but we know it is going to be something big.<br />
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I'm sure every birthday letter since the age of 2 has commented about your language ability. This one will be no different. You express your thoughts very well. You still haven't developed much of a filter for your mouth, pretty much anything that goes through your head comes out your mouth as well. It is a bit of a chicken or the egg thing. Is your language ability so good because you talk so much, or do you talk so much because your language is so good? Either way, we love your communication skills.<br />
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You love learning new things. Daddy took you on a date bowling on Sunday and was amazed at all the information about spiders and pilgrims you downloaded to him. Evidently, that is what you have been learning in school, and you absorbed it all. Dad shared more information with you about pilgrims and you were so excited about it that you made him come home and write it down. You wanted to take the paper to give it to Mrs. Terveen so she would give you, "extra credit." I don't think there is much extra credit given in first grade, but you certainly deserve some. Speaking of school, we just had your parent-teacher conference and you are doing great. You have lots of friends in school and work really hard. I am so grateful that you can channel your energy in school and keep it together to have good behavior. You love your classroom "clip chart" and try really hard everyday to make it to "outstanding."<br />
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For your birthday you asked for a microscope. But you said, "we have had the toy kind, and I don't want another one of those. I want the kind scientists use in laboratories." We managed to find one that we think will work well. It isn't what they are using at the CDC or anything, but I think it is real enough that you (and your siblings) are going to enjoy it.<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Em2OYszL6lI/UqFdMCrgWvI/AAAAAAAACQY/i7URPC9DE74/s1600/IMG_5648.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Em2OYszL6lI/UqFdMCrgWvI/AAAAAAAACQY/i7URPC9DE74/s320/IMG_5648.JPG" width="213" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-04WfgEfTUdE/UqFdMbf6ONI/AAAAAAAACQc/7Skiaq65f0w/s1600/IMG_5646.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-04WfgEfTUdE/UqFdMbf6ONI/AAAAAAAACQc/7Skiaq65f0w/s320/IMG_5646.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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You wanted a Ducks vs. Beavers cake. So even though the civil war was last week, the drama and excitement of it still lives on in our house.<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--zmUisur51I/UqFdMhnSF5I/AAAAAAAACQg/880Jfz0GZaE/s1600/IMG_5653.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--zmUisur51I/UqFdMhnSF5I/AAAAAAAACQg/880Jfz0GZaE/s320/IMG_5653.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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Cyndi noted something a few months ago after you had been wrestling with John, you treat adults and older kids as your equals. And that is true. You have never met someone that you wouldn't just go up and have a conversation with. We haven't been real successful at teaching you the concept of "stranger danger." We were at a restaurant one night and there was a pretty rough looking guy, complete with a worn leather jacket and a backpack with strange pins all over it. You were fascinated with the guy. He wasn't super friendly, but after you escaped from us and went over to talk to him multiple times you won him over. He answered your questions, and as we were leaving he took one of the pins off his backpack and gave it to you. Your persistence usually pays off. This makes parenting awfully difficult sometimes, but is going to pay huge dividends for you as an adult.<br />
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In a few weeks you are going to be in the Christmas program at church. You get to play David. Barry wrote the play so it would start with Abraham and go through Jesus. When I told you how you were going to get to (carefully) swing a slingshot around and "kill" Goliath (played by Nathan Amadio) and then put your foot (again, carefully) on his chest you got really excited. You said, "Sweet! I then get to take his sword and cut off his head!" Points for knowing the story well, but no. We are not acting that part out. Excellent casting on Barry's part. It should be entertaining.<br />
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This last year you have grown up so much Camden. You are learning self-control and patience. It is great. You are always going to be fast and busy, but the improved impulse control is awesome. The potential you have for impacting the Kingdom of God is pretty amazing. You are smart, witty, creative, and bold. You are a natural leader and are so much fun. You have taught dad and I so much. I can't wait to see what incredible things you do with your life. It is always a fun ride with you.<br />
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You have fascinating and deep questions. You contemplate God and what Jesus means in your life. You asked me the difference between suffering and death. Keep in mind this is when you were six. You are very concerned with people who don't know God yet. You worry about being with people and trying to figure out how to be friends with someone who doesn't know Jesus yet.<br />
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My biggest prayer for you is that you will follow God with your whole heart. You need to use the intelligence, wit, creativity and boldness that God has given you to glorify Him. But you also need to be careful about having pride in yourself rather than recognizing that everything you have is from God and for His glory.<br />
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A Bible verse from Joshua sums up what I want to say far better than any of my words. Here it is:<br />
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Joshua 1: 7-9 "Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." <br />
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With you Camden, it is always going to be exciting. I always love the excitement of a good cliff hanger.<br />
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Daddy and I love you so much Camden. Happy 7th birthday.<br />
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Love,<br />
<br />
Mom<br />
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<br />Pate Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02579711034536534752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4096849684928570864.post-82145180168563093022013-11-09T21:36:00.000-08:002013-11-09T21:36:50.548-08:00Fabulous FourDear Reagan,<br />
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Today you turn four. I'm going to try very hard to not focus on every birthday and milestone being a big dramatic, "Oh my, my BABY is ______!" But it is hard to believe that you, the little pink bundle we brought home from the hospital four years ago, is such a big girl.<br />
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That little person now goes to preschool, writes R's everywhere, buckles her own seat belt (everyone being able to buckle their own seat belts is a milestone I celebrated maybe even more than the end of diapers!), rides a bike (with training wheels), helps with everything, tries to read books, and generally imitates everything everyone else does.<br />
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Today was a huge milestone because when you turn four in our family you are allowed to climb the ladder in the garage and enter our Legoland. You had never seen it up there before and were very excited for your first time. You played up their three times today. The family got you one of the Lego friend (girl) sets of legos to begin your own part of the city. The little Reagan subdivision.<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s1P1WGy3I0Q/Un8XxZiue4I/AAAAAAAACPM/hzoi5R7xeT4/s1600/IMG_0497.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.09375px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s1P1WGy3I0Q/Un8XxZiue4I/AAAAAAAACPM/hzoi5R7xeT4/s320/IMG_0497.jpg" width="240" /></a>First time up to the attic!<br />
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Swimming is still one of your favorite things to do in the whole world. So it was an easy to pick swimming as what we would do today to celebrate your birthday. Today was a Saturday so the whole family went to the East Portland Aquatic Center and swam. You had so much fun swimming everywhere and going down the slides.<br />
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We love everything about you Reagan. But your voice is a mix of sunshine, sprinkles, and everything pink and purple. Listening to you talk is precious. You say absolutely adorable things, in the sweetest little girl voice. It makes daddy and my heart melt. Today we went out for donuts for breakfast for your birthday and you were so excited about having a "humongo" doughnut. I also love that you call my hair "waggely" and shredded cheese is "sprinkle" cheese. There are multiple times each week when I wish I could have a recorder going all the time to record the cute things you say.<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--AlmOMUagFQ/Un8XwXg3C3I/AAAAAAAACPE/QMuaZ8KJgG8/s1600/IMG_0483.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.09375px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--AlmOMUagFQ/Un8XwXg3C3I/AAAAAAAACPE/QMuaZ8KJgG8/s320/IMG_0483.JPG" width="320" /></a> Eating the "humongo" doughnut this morning.<br />
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This year you have developed a very strong little personality. You know what you want and intend to get your way. In fact, one thing you wanted for your birthday was a ladder. Why would a new four year old need a ladder? To get the stuff that we put up high so you can't get to it, of course.<br />
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As has been true since the day you were born, your siblings still adore you. But now you and Camden will occasionally have a disagreement. But for the most part in their three little sets of eyes, you walk on water. They all love to play with you and take care of you.<br />
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You have begun to really like watching older girls, 4 and 5-year-olds, and you want to be like them. Having friends is important to you, and so going to school has been great. Being in Mrs. DuPuis' class has been so much fun for you. Daddy can come and visit you, and the high school kids always come and tell him how much they love you. Your favorite thing to do is the hot tray, a place where you melt old crayons and then wipe them on paper.<br />
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For Halloween this year you decided you wanted to be a gum ball machine. It was a tricky costume to come up with, I had to develop some engineering skills. You made the decision over a month before and never wavered despite my trying to tempt you with pretty (and easier) princess dresses. Next year should be interesting also, because of your older brother's influence you say your going to be Iron Man. Funny girl.<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XJx2pwTyEew/Un8XvDHRVpI/AAAAAAAACO8/jGSwlCdGSCs/s1600/IMG_0450.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.09375px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XJx2pwTyEew/Un8XvDHRVpI/AAAAAAAACO8/jGSwlCdGSCs/s320/IMG_0450.jpg" width="240" /></a>Trick-or-treating in your gumball machine costume in daddy's classroom. Your preschool goes to some of the classes, and of course daddy's is one of them.<br />
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We have been struggling with sleeping for quite some time. You don't need a nap, but sometimes take one. If you do, then going to bed at night doesn't happen until much later than your siblings. Today, in fact, you fell asleep in the car on the way home from swimming. And so now, at 8:32 pm, the boys are both in bed, but as I type this I hear you in the other room singing away as you are playing. Not tired at all. But if you don't nap you actually are asking us to put you to bed before 7:00. One time you said, "Mom! Look at my eyes! They are so tired. Put me to bed!" I don't mind the fluctuating bed time nearly as much as I mind that you wake me up many times each week in the middle of the night. Usually I can just put you back to bed and you go right to sleep. But there are other nights we are up for a few hours hanging out. I try to just enjoy the snuggles and remember that there will be a day I will miss middle-of-the night cuddles with you.<br />
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You still have a blankie. It is hard to imagine how you will ever get rid of it. The main point of the blanket is to smell it. The little fringe on the end go under your nose. It is adorable. And a little strange! We think you have an amazing sense of smell. You comment on smells all the time, and seek out things to smell. It is very funny.<br />
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I don't know how many hours you would be willing to sit and listen to books. Stories about animals are usually your favorite. You are developing a funny little sense of humor, and you enjoy things that make you laugh. You try and copy the jokes the boys try and tell.<br />
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Reagan, my heart almost hurts I love you so much. It is overwhelming how blessed all of us our to have you in our lives. Your sweet little smile, daring voice, and happy eyes bring so much joy to each day. There is a clip of a video I have on my phone from when we were in San Diego last month of you happily running on the beach, blond little pony tails bouncing behind you with a sweet little smile on your face that I feel just sums up who you are.<br />
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It takes you quite some time to warm up to adults. However, this last year you have been going to Tater Tots, the 3-6 year old class at church and you almost instantly took to teacher Ginny. You love her and love your class. Teacher Ginny is such a faithful, Godly woman and I think you bonded with her so quickly because of how she is sharing Jesus with you. She has been a blessing in each of the Pate kid's lives, and she especially is in yours.<br />
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That brings me to what my prayer is for you tonight, and for your life. Reagan I'm going to pray over you Proverbs 3:5-6. "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight."<br />
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We all love you so much Reagan. Happy Birthday.<br />
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Love,<br />
Mom<br />
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Pate Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02579711034536534752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4096849684928570864.post-4281757112473779462013-10-24T14:33:00.000-07:002013-10-24T14:33:08.486-07:00San DiegoI'm dusting off the blog for something other than a birthday letter. A family trip. I'm going to go with journal style. Here goes: (Lots of writing at first, you can skip down to the pictures)<br />
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February: I decide that it would be fun to go somewhere for my 40th birthday. We think San Diego would be fun because the boys would love to go to Legoland, but it is almost too young for them. So we need to go now. We look into going for my birthday, but Ainsley has a Battle of the Books competition and and she doesn't want to miss it (I KNOW!) so we bag it for now.<br />
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June: We still want to go to San Diego, so we make plans to go on the long weekend with the teacher inservice in October.<br />
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September: Plans all done and set. Turns out there is a test date for Andrew's tennis certification at a club in San Diego on Monday so we extend our trip one day. We will be gone Friday October 11th through Monday the 14th. Quick, fun trip.<br />
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Later September: I go to the airport to buy our tickets- we are flying on Spirit Air, cheep and the only direct flight from PDX and it is less expensive to buy the tickets there at the airport. Agent helps me, and we buy the tickets. (does this raise a red flag? If so, that is called foreshadowing)<br />
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October 9th, 7:30 pm: I go online to purchase the checked bag ticket (another Spirit Air quirk) and strangely it lets me print the boarding passes. This surprises me because you aren't supposed to be able to check-in and print boarding passes until 24 hours or less from your flight. (more foreshadowing here)<br />
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October 9th, 7:40pm: Staring at the boarding passes, I slowly realize that the date of our departure is October 10th- the next morning. One day early. I continue to look and begin to panic.<br />
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October 9th, 8:00pm: After frantic calls to the customer service number we find that our best option is to show up to the airport the next morning, ready to fly. But trying to change the tickets there. Andrew can't go because he has to work. Begin frantic packing.<br />
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October 10th, 3:30am: Andrew drives kids and I to airport. We find out there that Fridays have been booked for a long time, so what happened was the computer automatically bumps to the day before. The agent SHOULD have noticed that and told me and we could have dealt with it. Instead, she didn't notice and just booked the tickets. Friday was oversold. My choice was take the kids alone on Thursday and Andrew could fly standby on Friday or we could wait and all go on Saturday. I sucked it up and said we would go. So off the kids and I went.<br />
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6:15am: Our plane takes off. While in the airport I have been able to book a rental car for the day. I still don't have a hotel though. I'm a nervous wreck, but the kids are excited.<br />
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8:15am: Arrive in San Diego. Alone with 4 kids. In a city I don't know. More nerves. We make our way to the shuttle to get the rental car. Off we go. We head to Balboa Park. I knew it was close to the airport and thought that it would be easiest to spend the day there and go to museums. We start off by finding a play ground so the kids can play for a little bit while I get my wits about me. We then follow the signs to the heart of the park, which is amazing. We park and hike around, through a palm forest and through the beautiful streets and gardens there.<br />
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We then go to the Natural History museum. We have lunch there and the kids have a great time.<br />
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Andrew was able to extend our hotel stay so we had a hotel room at the same place we were booked for the rest of the time. We could check in at 2:00, and the kids wanted to swim so at about 2 we left the museum and went to the hotel. Thanks to my phone and Ainsley trying to help me navigate, we made our way to the hotel. Andrew was running meetings at school all day, but my parents and sister offered helpful and encouraging texts and phone calls during the day to help me along. It really went very smoothly, the kids had a great time. But I spent the day pretty worried about how to do it and manage everyone alone, and most of all worrying about if Andrew would make the flight in the morning. I didn't want to do Legoland alone the next day.<br />
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We went to the hotel and swam, then went to dinner then down to the park by the hotel that was on Mission Bay. It was beautiful.<br />
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Despite having been up at 3:30, Reagan and Camden didn't fall asleep well and that was an adventure. I didn't sleep well and was up at 3:30 am texting Andrew to find out about the flight. It turns out it was oversold by 4- so if 5 people didn't show he would get a seat. Not great odds I didn't think. I spent the next hour plus texting with him and praying. The plane was supposed to leave at 6:15. At 6:03 they told him he could have the last seat that they had been holding for someone who was check in but hadn't shown up yet. At 6:06 he texted me he was on the plane. I was SO HAPPY!</div>
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So now onto the scheduled trip! </div>
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I took the kids and we headed to the airport at about 7:15. We returned the car we had, walked down two blocks to pick up the van we had reserved, and at 8:15 Andrew landed and got on the shuttle and met us at the car rental place. It was great. We then took off to Legoland. </div>
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At the legoland village- we took our picture in front of the square in San Francisco where we got engaged. </div>
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Kids in front of the lego Capital building</div>
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We loved Legoland. We knew it was going to be a bit young for our kids, but Ainsley and Hudson were prepared for that and had a great time. It was fun because Reagan could do everything, including the big roller coaster which she loved and did over and over. </div>
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On Saturday we headed to the beach. It was wonderful. </div>
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We went to Mission Beach, which is a busy fun beach. It has a board walk and an amusement park. It was a fun, traditional California beach experience. We had so much fun. </div>
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After the beach we went to In and Out Burger for dinner. Then we went back to Mission Bay to watch the sunset. It was beautiful. </div>
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We went back to the hotel and went in the hot tub. The crazy kids would jump back and forth between the pool and hot tub. It was fun.<br />
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Sunday morning it was off to Sea World!<br />
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We had a great day. By the end we were exhausted. Dragging everyone except Camden who as we were leaving was still dancing down the street and jumping off anything he could climb on. That kid has non-stop energy.<br />
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On the advice of Andrew's friend Glen from college we went to Roberto's Tacos for dinner and even picky Ainsley said, "I didn't know Mexican food could taste this good!"<br />
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The next day was our last. Andrew had his test in the morning. The kids and I drove him to the club, which was in Balboa Park. The first thing he noticed is they had tons of courts, and they were all outside. He had to do a private lesson for a group of people he had never met. It was a great ice breaker to talk to them about how surprised he was that they only had outdoor courts. But with only 6 inches of rain a year, what we can get in a bad weekend, it isn't surprising. While he did the test the kids and I went back to the pool to swim. We were happy to come get him and hear that he had done great. He passed and certified up to the highest level of being a USPTA Pro. An Elite P-1.<br />
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The club was in Balboa Park. So we headed over to spend an hour at the Fleet Science Center. Since the kids were missing school this day we thought it was a good idea. It was a great museum.<br />
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After that we headed to the beach to spend our last day soaking up the sun. For a different beach experience we headed over the Coronado bridge and went to the Coronado Island. It was quieter than Mission beach. The sand sparkles with gold flecks that totally enchanted the kids. It was so fun.<br />
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It was amazing how small the ocean waves were on this beach. It is hard to believe this is the same Pacific ocean that we normally go to. The sand is so different. Softer and so much more pleasant. Not to mention so much warmer! </div>
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On the way back from the beach to the airport we stopped by the shipyards and got out to look at the aircraft carrier the USS Midway. Evidently it has a great museum on board, but we decided our two youngest wouldn't be much fun on that excursion. So another time. The kids loved seeing how big it was. </div>
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Our plane was already a late flight, then it was delayed another 45 minutes. The kids slept the whole way home. We got home and got them in bed at around 1:30 am. It was a little rough to get up for school the next morning, but everyone made it.<br />
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We had a fabulous trip. God helped me through the first day and blessed us with a great family time! We all want to go back soon!</div>
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<br />Pate Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02579711034536534752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4096849684928570864.post-78808305365119171702013-04-13T23:19:00.001-07:002013-04-13T23:54:06.046-07:0012 years of wonderful. (The pictures are from your birthday party today- A trip to Cartlandia (evidently a portland hipster party?) and then what was supposed to be going to see "Adrenaline Rush" at OMSI, but they changed the movie and so instead we came home and watched a movie and hung out here. Happily you and your friends were fine with the change of plans!)<br />
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Dear Ainsley,<br />
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Twelve years ago today God made the world a better place. Yes, I am your mother, so of course I think that. But it is true. I have had twelve lovely years to watch you grow into an amazing person. You are sweet, kind, smart, and most importantly, have a heart that follows God.<br />
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Don't get me wrong, you are also on the verge of being a teenager. So you also have times of being awkward, pouty, and sometimes downright surly. But that is the way it was meant to be. You are learning how to operate in the world without us, and these are the growing pains. As we were going through a major temper tantrum throwing fit stage with Reagan a little over a year ago I though about how we celebrate like crazy as little kids develop and go though milestones like learning to walk. Yet, when they go through the milestones of developing their independence and the way they go through that is by throwing crazy fits we don't really celebrate much. Same way with teenager "issues." I'm trying hard that when these little things come up, to remember that it is just how God intended, minus the whole sin part. You are growing, and figuring out life for yourself. And I get to walk with you, be your cheerleader, and consultant. And it is such an amazing honor to get to do this with you.</div>
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Last month I celebrated a birthday with a zero on the end of it, so I guess it was a little bit monumental. As I was reflecting about turing 40, which when you are 12 seems so old, I thought about what I would go back in time and tell myself when I was younger. What is amazing is, I get the opportunity to in some ways do that by talking with you. Not in the creepy, mom re-living her life through her child, sort of way. But in a "here is what I've learned, I wonder what you are going to learn," sort of way. I am constantly amazed at how well you take instruction, and how you really care about what your dad and I think. You really are wise beyond your years. </div>
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The past year has really been pretty great. The year before was filled with lots of drama, and we had really braced ourself for it as you started middle school this fall. However, much to our happy surprise, this year has been very pleasant. There have of course been issues, but for the most part you love school, your friends, and your family. For the first time since kindergarten you didn't play soccer. You played in your first tennis tournaments, which were a great experience, even if you didn't bring home a trophy. You played basketball, which dad coached again. Having him coach you is such a special thing for the two of you. You also did "Battle of the Books." Which was a team you were on that read a set of books and then went to a competition with questions about them. Being the amazing little reader that you are, you pretty much killed it at this. You were your schools team captain and your team did better than any other team from our district has done before. You are also in the midst of practicing for the school musical you got a part in. This drama production has lead to some actual drama, but we are hoping overall it ends up being a good experience. That is still up in the air right now though. </div>
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A whole new world has been opened up to your dad and I. That is because you now babysit! You can stay home and take care of your siblings. It is wonderful. You are great at it, and now are doing it for other families as well. It is a fun stage to be in. You help with your siblings so much. Someday you are going to be a great mom. The way you can get your siblings to do what you want is masterful. We are going to call it motivation, not manipulation. (Pretend I'm inserting a little smiley face right here.)<br />
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You get great grades and are very responsible. We couldn't be happier with how hard you work and what a great student you are. As parents though we have some learning to do. I still feel terrible about when you brought home your mid-term progress report. As you showed it to dad and I, and it was all A's, we both noticed that there were two assignments in one class that you had C's on. You still had a very high A in the class, yet we pointed out these two assignments and asked what happened. You looked at us and got tears in your eyes, and at that moment I realized I was being a HORRIBLE parent. I'm still so sorry. We are so proud of you for being they lovely girl you are, no matter how you perform on anything. We love you because you are a precious child of God that he blessed us with being able to parent. I'm sorry we mess up, we just want to be the best parents we can be for you. I hope you look back and know that above all, we love you immensely and would do anything for you. </div>
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The thing that I am most excited about is that in February you and Hudson both got baptized. You accepted Christ actually when you were four, but we have had you wait for awhile to actually get baptized. It was such a special experience, and we are so happy and excited for you. Tonight as I was driving your friends home from your birthday party you were all talking about how awesome Trout Creek Bible Camp is, and how you all want to be counselors. It makes me so excited to think about how your life is going to impact the Kingdom of Heaven. I've probably written about this verse in a previous one of your birthday letters, but if I did it bears repeating. Jeremiah 29:11 says, "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and give you hope and a future."<br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">That seems like such a perfect thing to think about as you navigate through the middle school years. God does have great plans for your future Ainsley Grace. I am so happy I get to watch it happen.</span><br />
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I love you so much,<br />
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Mom.<br />
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P.S.- I notice as I go back through this letter a glaring omission. It is that I didn't use the word epic even once. Considering how often it comes out of your mouth this is a travesty. Someday this may make no sense, but Ainsley, you are EPIC! </div>
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Pate Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02579711034536534752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4096849684928570864.post-13998166563895153142013-02-10T20:55:00.000-08:002013-02-10T20:55:47.963-08:00A 2012 review additionI forgot something I don't want to forget in the 2012 review. In October Reagan got her tonsils out. Really I want to remember this because someday all my children's spouses will owe me big for giving them a husband or wife that is not the nightmare snorer that they would have been had we not gone through the major drama of taking out their tonsils. To my future children in-laws, your welcome. No matter what sort of crazy things I do as a mother-in-law, at least I did this for you. And I also helped put our ENT"s children through college.<br />
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As it was with the other three, the tonsils are a nightmare for a few days then it was over. But the few days are really not much fun. The story I want to remember, or actually I should try and forget, is leaving the hospital.<br />
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Reagan was hardly a cooperative patient. She hasn't been great in any doctor or dentist office yet, and so I knew the hospital would be even worse. With all three of the other kids we declined getting the pre-medicine, but I knew with her we would have to do it. I was right to not do it with anyone else because the waking up process was much worse.<br />
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She actually went back into surgery fine, the anesthesiologist put a Dora cartoon on his ipad and she had never seen Dora before and was memorized. It went downhill from there. While she was in surgery the nurse explained that when she came back she would have to do a series of things before being discharged including get up and walk and eat a popsicle.<br />
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Not long after, Dr. Wobig came out to tell us the surgery had gone great, and he was just shocked at the size of her tonsils and adenoids and he was so glad we took them out. A few minutes later they brought out a super sweet, sleepy little girl to us. Then she woke up.<br />
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As she was waking up she became very agitated. She did not want the pajamas on, but also didn't want hers put back on her. She certainly did not want the IV port in, yet didn't want the nurse to touch her. That was fun. She did take one bite out of the popsicle, and promptly spit it out at the nurse. Great parenting moment.<br />
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After about 45 minutes she was finally just fully screaming and thrashing around. The nurse said, I think you should just take her home. At that point she had completed a total of zero of the things the nurse originally said she needed to to do be released. That nurse, who was very nice, could not get us out of the quick enough. She handed us our discharge papers along with the post-surgery instructions and said over Reagan's screaming, "you've done this before so you don't need me to go over this with you. If you have any questions just call your doctors office."<br />
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We headed out with Andrew carrying our stuff and me carrying Reagan, and by the time we were out in the main hall before the elevators I couldn't physically hold her anymore. We switched and that totally put her over the edge. She was screaming, hitting, scratching, and trying to bite Andrew. She was in a crazy drug induced fit. We made it down the elevator and into the main atrium of Providence Hospital. That big room goes up multiple stories of open air and her screaming just echoed to a deafening level. Everyone, everywhere stopped to watch us, I'm sure they were looking at her to see which appendage had been removed from this child because that is the only explanation for the noises coming from her. Andrew and I just sort of shook our heads and laughed, because what else do you do.<br />
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Finally, we reached the car and had a bigger problem, getting her in her carseat. Two grown adults could not get a two year old in the carseat. She was so out of her mind and amazingly that translated into super-human strength. She made herself as straight as a board and we couldn't get her shoved down into the seat. I seriously worried that even if we got her in that the seat belt in her carseat might not hold her. Fortunately one time she stopped for a breath and we caught it at the right moment and were able to shove her little rear-end into the seat and get her in. She continued to scream for about 10 minutes and then almost instantly fell asleep.<br />
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Fortunately, the trip out was really the worst of it. The first two days were pretty okay, then days 3, 4, and 5 were pretty miserable and they slowly got better from there. All in all it took a good 10 days for her to get back to normal.<br />
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As I've said many times, I wish in our genetic soup we had created something else that was crazy amazing, rather than the size of the lumps of tissue in our kids sinus cavities, but at least it is something that is (relatively) easy to fix. I found on our hospital bills (I was more careful about checking them this time because our insurance is so bad now our deductible means we paid for most of it) that they charged us $17.85 for the half of a popsicle that they gave Reagan. The very one she only took one bite out of then spit at the nurse. We didn't get a surcharge for abusing the nurse, so I suppose I should be happy about that.<br />
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And now when you listen to Reagan sleep she doesn't sound like an old man. Success. Future spouse, you owe me awesome grandchildren.<br />
<br />Pate Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02579711034536534752noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4096849684928570864.post-47647664633601815972013-02-04T20:47:00.002-08:002013-02-04T20:47:48.096-08:002012 in review- or for the first time. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I am official a failure at blogging. I had planned to do a year-end-wrap up in December to make up for not really blogging anything last year... and here it is, Feb. 4th and I'm just now doing it. While I do a scrapbook of pictures, this is the only place for me to write down a little longer information about what goes on in our family. So I'm going to go ahead and give it a shot- here are some things I don't want to forget about 2012. </div>
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Easter- If it doesn't rain, it is a good Easter Egg hunt! We had the Sunday School crew all come over for a hunt in the greenway. It was very fun. </div>
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And no rain even on Easter day. Cute kiddos. </div>
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Andrew turns the big 4-0! We celebrated with a limo ride. We took the kids out first and drove around Damascus. </div>
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They thought it was really fun. At first Reagan was totally confused, and a little worried. She was probably wondering why she was in a car without a carseat. Then she got on board. Ainsley spent most of the time talking in a British accent. Pretty funny. Then we dropped off the kids, and picked up Eric and Cyndi and Ryan and Jenne and went downtown for dinner. It was really fun!</div>
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Our kids LOVE going to "big kid" parties. The end of the tennis season party is probably their very favorite. For the past 6 or so years we have been lucky enough to have it at the Helm's house. Swimming with the big kids is fun, but they especially like hanging out in the hot tub. </div>
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Camden went to preschool at Barlow, with Mrs. Dupuis as his teacher. It was a great experience. We always knew he was a really smart kid, but we also know he is a busy kid, so we didn't know exactly how school would go. Turns out it was amazing. He was a perfect little student and always did great. Except that time he snuck out of class. During calendar time one day in May he actually left the classroom. A student found him in the parking lot at Barlow on his way to daddy's classroom. When we "talked" to him about what in the world was going on, he calmly explained that he was going to Dad's class because he was sick of calendar time. He didn't understand why the kids couldn't figure out that Tuesday always comes after Monday. Of course. We took his graduation picture in front of the calendar. </div>
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Hudson on his last day of school with his teacher, Mrs. Terveen. The cool thing is I was job-sharing with Laura back when I was pregnant with Hudson, and then she ended up his second grade teacher. </div>
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Ainsley with her fifth-grade teacher on the last day of school, and the last day of elementary school at Deep Creek. The last day that is, unless it becomes a K-8 school and she moves back. We will see. </div>
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While our kids started playing tennis at about 4 and have always been on soccer and basketball teams, playing in their first tennis tournaments this year was a big deal. It is quite a bit more pressure to be out on the court all alone than it is to be on a soccer field with a whole team. They both did great and can't wait to do it more. </div>
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We again did fireworks stands with the Strandbergs. It was a great year. We have, however, turned our children into little fireworks freaks. Ainsley and Hudson love to come and work at the tent. This year Ainsley started making posters and little displays that said "Our favorites" and "Ainsley's Picks." After Camden had left one day I discovered that he too had made a display of his favorites, and then taken a pen and written signs with arrows all over the tables pointing to his display that say "Camden Picks." It was so cute, even if it was graffiti. Good thing the tables aren't exactly high quality and that the rental company probably didn't notice. </div>
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Ainsley went to Trout Creek Bible Camp for the second year and loved it again. It is quite possibly the highlight of her year. Sarah, Natalie and Lainie went with her. It was so much fun. She still talks about it and remembers different things to tell us about it months later. So happy she gets to have that experience. </div>
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CALIFORNIA!</div>
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Grandma and Grandpa took us to Disneyland! The first day we got to go play at the Santa Monica beach and for the first time our kids got to experience playing on a WARM beach. The Oregon coast will never be the same again. </div>
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We have so many fun memories of Disneyland I don't even know where to start. It was the perfect Disney vacation. The kids were amazingly good, the weather was perfect, and everything went basically exactly as we had planned. We were there for five days. We did three days going back in the evening for the night shows, Fireworks, Fantasmic, and World of Color. The kids really loved all the rides. Ainsley, Hudson, and Camden even all loved California Screamin', Space Mountain, and Ainsley and Hudson even did Tower of Terror. Reagan loved every ride she could go on, she was a total dare-devil. </div>
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Speaking of Reagan, we thought taking a 2 year-old was going to be difficult at best. She however, was AMAZING! She was delightful pretty much the whole time. Before we left I cut her special blankie into fourths so if we lost it we had more, and so that we didn't have to take the whole thing everywhere. It worked perfectly. She slept a few days in the stroller, and pretty much just went with the flow. She loved everything she saw and did. We realized she didn't really know any of the Disney characters though, but she still loved them. Whenever she saw Micky Mouse she would shriek, "Mousey!" She wasn't scared of anything. We even took her in the Haunted House and she said over and over, "Is this scary?" I just kept saying, "No, it is just fun." And she would say, "Okay, and laugh." </div>
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I think the thing I've been the most surprised about is how much Reagan still (6 months later) talks about Disneyland. She remembers so much and will say, "I love California Adventure." Or whatever part she is thinking about. She rode the Ariel ride so many times I can't even count because she did that quite a bit when there were rides she couldn't go on, one time Grandpa took her and just stayed on it three times in a row, waving off the employees telling them that they weren't getting off. She love it so much. </div>
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We were so happy that all three boys got chosen to do the Jedi Academy. We were worried about what would happen if one or two got picked, but not all of them. Fortunately they all did- and loved it. The battled Darth Vader very bravely!</div>
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Eleison and Camden couldn't get along better. They have so much fun together. As they get older they will probably not be as good of friends because they are a boy and a girl, but for right now we are enjoying what great friends they are. </div>
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It was such a fun trip that everyone will always remember.</div>
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We love going to the beach each summer with the Strandbergs.<br />
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Our hike to drift creek falls when were were there was awesome. So awesome, Camden didn't even need a shirt.<br />
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Really it is the moms that make the whole thing happen. It is so great to spend time together just relaxing, or you know, cooking for everyone!</div>
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The very tough Pate men.<br />
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After a great summer it is hard to go back to school, but the kids were pretty excited. Ainsley got to start middle school and we braced for the "middle-school" experience. We are five months in at this point and it has been pretty much wonderful. She has great teachers, works really hard, and has fun friends. Sixth grade has been gloriously drama-free and a positive experience. We hope it continues this way! She started playing the flute in band, and her teacher is Mr. Evans. I taught his youngest daughter (who is now a college freshman!) in first and second grade. I must say, a beginning band teacher has to have the patience of Job. Hudson started 3rd grade and gets to have Mrs. Manzella who he also had for kindergarten. This is good news for him, but was sad news for Camden who was expecting to have her. Instead Camden started out kindergarten a little rocky because he wanted Mrs. Manzella, and instead got a teacher that, to put it mildly, needed to be done teaching. She lasted five days. On day six she didn't show up. It ended up perfectly because Mrs. Brier, who had retired a few years before after teaching kindergarten at DC for 20+ years agreed to come back and just teach his class. She is exceptional and she adores Camden. It has been a great year so far for him.<br />
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Ainsley's first band concert. </div>
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A very cool thing we found out the night before school started was that Andrew won the Oregon State Social Studies Teacher of the Year Award. He got lots of recognition, including an article in the Oregonian. His assistant principal is who nominated him. One of the best lines from the letter he wrote was, "If Andrew doesn't walk on water, it is only because that won't help his students do better in their social studies classes." It was a great honor. </div>
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Halloween costumes have become trickier for older kids we have found. Reagan was thrilled with a pink princess dress, Camden and Hudson both found inspiration from Disneyland. Hudson is Indiana Jones, with his hat, whip, and gun purchased in D-land, and Camden is a pirate with his hat also from there. Ainsley ended up settling on being a Greek goddess. They all had a great Halloween. </div>
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And then there is Christmas. Easily one of the most memorable parts was Camden getting to do the opening prayer at the Cornerstone Church Christmas Pageant. Weeks of agonizing over the prayer because he said he didn't know what to say. He finally settled on something, but never would say it for me. On the way to church that morning I ask him to practice it and he said, "It is a prayer mom, your just supposed to say whatever pops into your head to talk to God." At that moment I about died. I think I held my breath from then until he uttered Amen at the end of his perfect little sweet prayer. He said (what he practiced) "Dear Jesus, thank you for coming down to earth to be born in a manger. And than you for dying on the cross for our sins. Thank you for Christmas. Amen." </div>
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Hudson's job was to carry the tent-thing over the wise men. He got to do it with Jackson, so it was perfect. </div>
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The program couldn't have been cuter.<br />
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Christmas morning we were at home with just our family. It was really fun. The kids had a great time.<br />
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Then we went to Salem to spend the afternoon with Grandma, Grandad, Great-Grandma, and Auntie Kate.<br />
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The next morning we headed to Milton-Freewater for a week. We celebrated Christmas again and had so much fun with Grandma, Grandpa and the Zieglers. Our kids were more excited about seeing their cousins than Christmas presents by far. That makes me happy.<br />
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I know I didn't include tons of things, and probably some big things that deserve to take the place of some things here. But at least it is something! I can (maybe) do a blog post here and there without feeling like it is weird because I skipped all of last year. We were very blessed in 2012 and love our little family.Pate Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02579711034536534752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4096849684928570864.post-28376393448679362682012-12-16T21:52:00.001-08:002012-12-16T21:52:22.585-08:00Hudson's birthday number nine! Dear Hudson,<br />
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Happy 9th Birthday! You have been busy this year. Mostly growing. And growing. And growing. Do you remember being little and me reading you the book, "The Very Hungry Caterpiller"? "On Monday he ate through.... AND HE WAS STILL HUNGRY." That is pretty much you right now. And I think this is only the beginning. You are one tall kid and you are only getting taller. Your feet are bigger than mine now (a kid size 5 1/2) and you are 4 feet 9 1/2 inches tall as of this morning.<br />
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You've also been doing lots of growing in other ways. The way you think has changed some this last year. You don't always tell us what you are thinking about though. You are the quietest Pate kid, although that isn't saying much. You are a loud, chatty bunch. But you are more likely to need a little prompting to tell us what you are thinking or wanting to do. That evidently isn't the case at school, however. Mrs. Manzella told us at conferences that you are VERY social in class and she often has to remind you to not chat. That seems to be a bit of a family pattern.... starting with your parents. So sorry about that to all your future teachers!<br />
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I know I wrote last year about how much you like to play outside, around in the neighborhood with your friends. That hasn't changed. We feel really fortunate that because of where we live you and your siblings get to experience a pretty traditional childhood. You love playing out at the playground, riding bikes, climbing trees, and planning all sorts of intricate battle fields. You spent tons of time this summer setting up little army figures in all sorts of formations. You especially loved getting to use water balloons as little bombs. It provided hours and hours of entertainment. You are in general a very happy, and fun loving kid.<br />
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Legos continue to be your favorite toy. The new obsession this year is Lego Ninjago. I honestly don't get it at all, but you love the things so much. Your one request for your birthday was the Lego Supersonic Raider. It is a big Ninjago set and you didn't really think you would get it, so when you unwrapped it this morning you were thrilled. Your birthday party theme today was Ninjago. This was your friend party year. Consequently we had a houseful of boys this afternoon. You all had a great time making ninja headbands, ninja stars, playing lego games, and finally putting together a ninjago set that each of your guest got to take home. You were a busy, happy bunch of boys.<br />
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Sports have changed for you this year. You have always liked to play, but this year you found a new intensity. You are a total competitor now. You are focused and work really hard. You started out the soccer season not really knowing if you wanted to play soccer, and ended up loving it and doing really well. You are now even doing futsol (an indoor soccer game) and loving it. You never get tired and really run hard. I think back to just a couple years ago when we would say you were great in the first half, and then checked out in the second. That is not the case anymore. You have great energy and are really strong. Basketball hasn't started for you yet, so you have been going and practicing with Ainsley's team every practice. You never complain about doing it, and are doing really well. It is going to be fun to see you play basketball this year. <br />
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Hudson, you are a sweet, good kid. I think about some of the things I have read about the different types of personalities of men and I believe you will fall into a "strong and steady" category. Your not super emotional, although you do have a temper that can flare sometimes. Daddy and I talk and pray about how to make sure we are reaching your heart. We want you to grow into a man who does great things for God, Hudson. We pray that you would be a strong leader, and yet gentle and kind.<br />
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Every line of Proverbs 10 is so valuable as you are becoming the person God intendes for you to be. I love how each line gives two choices. One clearly following God's ways, which are always smart. But the world makes the foolish ways look so appealing, especially in the years you are approaching, Hudson. We pray you would choose wisely. Here are the first few verses of Proverbs chapter 10:<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="text Prov-10-1" style="position: relative;">A wise son brings joy to his father,<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-16658C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)"></sup></span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Prov-10-1" style="position: relative;">but a foolish son brings grief to his mother.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="text Prov-10-2" id="en-NIV-16659" style="position: relative;"><sup class="versenum" style="display: block; font-weight: bold; left: -4.8em; position: absolute; vertical-align: top;"> </sup>Ill-gotten treasures have no lasting value,<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-16659D" title="See cross-reference D">D</a>)"></sup></span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Prov-10-2" style="position: relative;">but righteousness delivers from death.<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-16659E" title="See cross-reference E">E</a>)"></sup></span></span></span></div>
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<div class="poetry top-05" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding-left: 2.6em; position: relative;">
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="text Prov-10-3" id="en-NIV-16660" style="position: relative;"><sup class="versenum" style="display: block; font-weight: bold; left: -4.8em; position: absolute; vertical-align: top;"> </sup>The <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> does not let the righteous go hungry,<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-16660F" title="See cross-reference F">F</a>)"></sup></span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Prov-10-3" style="position: relative;">but he thwarts the craving of the wicked.<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-16660G" title="See cross-reference G">G</a>)"></sup></span></span></span></div>
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<div class="poetry top-05" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding-left: 2.6em; position: relative;">
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="text Prov-10-4" id="en-NIV-16661" style="position: relative;"><sup class="versenum" style="display: block; font-weight: bold; left: -4.8em; position: absolute; vertical-align: top;"> </sup>Lazy hands make for poverty,<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-16661H" title="See cross-reference H">H</a>)"></sup></span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Prov-10-4" style="position: relative;">but diligent hands bring wealth.<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-16661I" title="See cross-reference I">I</a>)"></sup></span></span></span></div>
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<div class="poetry top-05" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding-left: 2.6em; position: relative;">
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="text Prov-10-5" id="en-NIV-16662" style="position: relative;"><sup class="versenum" style="display: block; font-weight: bold; left: -4.8em; position: absolute; vertical-align: top;"> </sup>He who gathers crops in summer is a prudent son,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Prov-10-5" style="position: relative;">but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son.<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-16662J" title="See cross-reference J">J</a>)"></sup></span></span></span></div>
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<div class="poetry top-05" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding-left: 2.6em; position: relative;">
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="text Prov-10-6" id="en-NIV-16663" style="position: relative;"><sup class="versenum" style="display: block; font-weight: bold; left: -4.8em; position: absolute; vertical-align: top;"> </sup>Blessings crown the head of the righteous,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Prov-10-6" style="position: relative;">but violence overwhelms the mouth of the wicked.<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-16663K" title="See cross-reference K">K</a>)"></sup></span></span></span></div>
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<div class="poetry top-05" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding-left: 2.6em; position: relative;">
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="text Prov-10-7" id="en-NIV-16664" style="position: relative;"><sup class="versenum" style="display: block; font-weight: bold; left: -4.8em; position: absolute; vertical-align: top;"> </sup>The name of the righteous<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-16664L" title="See cross-reference L">L</a>)"></sup> is used in blessings,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Prov-10-7" style="position: relative;">but the name of the wicked<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-16664M" title="See cross-reference M">M</a>)"></sup> will rot.<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-16664N" title="See cross-reference N">N</a>)"></sup></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="text Prov-10-8" id="en-NIV-16665" style="position: relative;"><sup class="versenum" style="display: block; font-weight: bold; left: -4.8em; position: absolute; vertical-align: top;"> </sup>The wise in heart accept commands,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Prov-10-8" style="position: relative;">but a chattering fool comes to ruin.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="text Prov-10-9" id="en-NIV-16666" style="position: relative;"><sup class="versenum" style="display: block; font-weight: bold; left: -4.8em; position: absolute; vertical-align: top;"> </sup>Whoever walks in integrity<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-16666P" title="See cross-reference P">P</a>)"></sup> walks securely,<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-16666Q" title="See cross-reference Q">Q</a>)"></sup></span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Prov-10-9" style="position: relative;">but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times;">Hudson, daddy and I pray that you would choose God's way each and every day of your life. Better is one day in the courts of the Lord than thousands of days elsewhere. We love you so much and want you to experience the riches of living a life that is pleasing to your God. We make so many mistakes everyday, we hope that in spite of our mistakes you would see God's love for you and he would draw you to him. We love you so much Hudson. Thanks for being such a special, and wonderful boy. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times;">Love, mom</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-A1Dudv71WzE/UM6w6m7DSlI/AAAAAAAAB4w/3Eiot2ZrHXk/s1600/IMG_4470.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-A1Dudv71WzE/UM6w6m7DSlI/AAAAAAAAB4w/3Eiot2ZrHXk/s320/IMG_4470.JPG" width="320" /></a>Excitement over opening your super sonic raider. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bhJZlJWFM7U/UM6w9p7VwfI/AAAAAAAAB44/-hg6lOQXfgA/s1600/IMG_4477.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bhJZlJWFM7U/UM6w9p7VwfI/AAAAAAAAB44/-hg6lOQXfgA/s320/IMG_4477.JPG" width="320" /></a>All set up and ready for your birthday party.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ln7vZqPqJUM/UM6xAeALzwI/AAAAAAAAB5A/xT1ZnyeSAKY/s1600/IMG_4479.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: Times; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ln7vZqPqJUM/UM6xAeALzwI/AAAAAAAAB5A/xT1ZnyeSAKY/s320/IMG_4479.JPG" width="320" /></a>You had everyone learn how to fold ninja stars. Folding paper is an obsession for you right now. I'm certain a big portion of the world has been deforested thanks to your fascination with ninja stars, paper balloons, and other origami. You were super excited about a star wars fighter jet folding book we got you for your birthday. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yBzTn30exFE/UM6xGfPz-8I/AAAAAAAAB5Q/0kehE_UUt1c/s1600/IMG_4502.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yBzTn30exFE/UM6xGfPz-8I/AAAAAAAAB5Q/0kehE_UUt1c/s320/IMG_4502.JPG" width="320" /></a>The great 9-year-old! </div>
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Pate Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02579711034536534752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4096849684928570864.post-82986996160548169942012-12-05T22:48:00.003-08:002012-12-05T22:49:07.427-08:00Camden = SixDear Camden,<br />
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I'm going to steal Grandma Seaquist's line and say, "I love you with all my heart." Today you turned six. Six years ago when I was holding a tiny baby boy I had no idea what an amazing person you would become. The best thing to say is that in so many ways you never cease to amaze us. You have a great vocabulary. In fact, that is one of the things your teacher is impressed by. When I think of how to describe you a whole bunch of adjectives pop into my head. What is funny is how some of them are opposites of each other. Here is a list:<br />
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Inquisitive<br />
Clever<br />
Intense<br />
Gentle<br />
Fast<br />
Volatile<br />
Bright<br />
Kind<br />
Fun<br />
Thoughtful<br />
Loving<br />
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In the past year you have grown up so much. You started kindergarten this year and FINALLY got to ride the bus to school like you have wanted to do pretty much your whole life. You love school, although it surprises me that some mornings you complain about having to go. I think you don't always want to leave what you are doing at home. You always come home from school happy. Your teacher is perfect for you, although getting her involved some drama. We thought you would have Mrs. Manzella, but then she got moved to 3rd grade. So not only did you not get her, Hudson did. So then school started and there were 40 (!) kids in your class so they spilt the class and you had a different teacher. After some issues there they ended up getting Mrs. Brier who taught for 30+ years at Deep Creek to come and teach your class and she is wonderful. You love her and she is great with you. At your conference she just talked about how smart you are and how she can't believe the words you use. Her only concern was that you and your friend Richelle hold hands and hug too much in class. Cute. Richelle is super sweet and fun so we get why you like her as a friend. She also looks a lot like Eleison who you adore so it makes sense. We had a little chat after conferences about not holding hands in school though.<br />
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Your plan for your birthday party was awesome, although I must admit I was worried. You wanted a "tinkerers" party. Basically you wanted to take stuff apart. So we collected a bunch of old machines, DVD players, remotes, power tools, cameras, etc and let the kids take them apart. It was great. I have had so many of the parents of the kids who came tell me later how much fun their son had and how they just loved it. It was all your idea. You also wanted to give everyone protractors and have them measure angles, and I shut that idea down. There is always next year.<br />
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You still like to dig for gold in the yard. And your sure one of these days your going to find some.<br />
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You still adore Reagan. You bring out the best in Ainsley. You and Hudson can fight like crazy, but I see the glimmers of a deep friendship between the two of you. The pattern between the two of you is for him to bug you, and you to overreact. Seeing the pattern doesn't help me shut it down often enough though. I pray for the two of you would be best friends. I know God is going to grant that request and you will be blessed with a great relationship.<br />
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Camden, God has given you great abilities. When daddy was talking to Mrs. D (your preschool teacher) earlier this year about how kindergarten was going she said, "that kid will be a millionaire before he is 20." While I don't know about that, and I don't really care about you making money, I agree with her point that you are going to do great things. You are unique and God has a very special plan for your life. I am so lucky that I get to be your mom. I love you Camden.<br />
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Jeremiah 29:11</h3>
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<span class="text Jer-29-11" id="en-NIV-19647"><sup class="versenum" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;"> </sup>For I know the plans<sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-19647A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup> I have for you,” declares the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>, “plans to prosper<sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-19647B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></sup> you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SLmyADyzNqI/UMA9g47Q7lI/AAAAAAAAB38/3fGIDg8nREQ/s1600/IMG_4321.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SLmyADyzNqI/UMA9g47Q7lI/AAAAAAAAB38/3fGIDg8nREQ/s320/IMG_4321.jpg" width="320" /></a>Your machine cake.<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lWn6wuoREsU/UMA9xMuEYyI/AAAAAAAAB4E/sX1g6_ECZGY/s1600/IMG_4315.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lWn6wuoREsU/UMA9xMuEYyI/AAAAAAAAB4E/sX1g6_ECZGY/s320/IMG_4315.jpg" width="320" /></a>Taking stuff apart.<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Teyue5ZnSEs/UMA91KaKlVI/AAAAAAAAB4M/7G1CAydERKE/s1600/IMG_4287.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Teyue5ZnSEs/UMA91KaKlVI/AAAAAAAAB4M/7G1CAydERKE/s320/IMG_4287.jpg" width="320" /></a>Intense workers.<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XJVqIWrUBu8/UMA99vVI1xI/AAAAAAAAB4U/c7h_VKdRhTI/s1600/IMG_4316.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XJVqIWrUBu8/UMA99vVI1xI/AAAAAAAAB4U/c7h_VKdRhTI/s320/IMG_4316.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MM1oVcClj48/UMA-F_ki6UI/AAAAAAAAB4c/gSjCjAb1T3Y/s1600/IMG_4361.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MM1oVcClj48/UMA-F_ki6UI/AAAAAAAAB4c/gSjCjAb1T3Y/s320/IMG_4361.jpg" width="320" /></a>The party kids.<br />
<br />Pate Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02579711034536534752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4096849684928570864.post-40602358679838890442012-11-09T23:46:00.000-08:002012-11-09T23:46:16.542-08:00Our baby turns THREE!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="text-align: center;">Dear Reagan~</span><br />
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I’m not sure I can bear you turning three. You have been
such a precious baby, three means you are a preschooler. This was our first
three-year-old birthday without a newborn sibling in attendance. You are for
sure the baby though, I suppose I have no choice but to let you grow-up. You
will always be my baby though. </div>
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What I love so much about you right now is not something I
can capture on paper. It is your sweet little voice. The way you talk is
heart-melting. Everything from the way you ask for a glass of milk, say your
siblings names (Camden is Canden), to when you are being silly and doing want
to talk so you make funny little animal noises are precious. Unbelievably cute
just doesn’t even begin to describe it.</div>
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It sorts of pains me to talk about television in a birthday
letter. We don’t really let you or your siblings watch much TV, but I would be
skipping one of your favorite things from the last year if I didn’t mention
“Monkey Show.” You are very passionate about Curious George. Almost every
morning you watch it, thankfully it keeps you still enough for me to fix you
hair. You giggle through it and never stop being delighted to watch George’s
antics. </div>
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One of the silly things daddy calls you is hydro-girl. This
is because you love water. Pouring water that you got out of the refrigerator
back and forth between cups and bowls is one of your favorite things to do. You
love taking showers, baths, and most of all swimming. You will randomly go and
get your swimming suit out and want it put on for no reason. Grandma and
Grandad gave you swimming lessons for your birthday. You will love them. </div>
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When we went to Disneyland this summer I thought it was
going to be really hard to have you there. You proved me so wrong by being
absolutely delightful. The entire experience was so much fun for you. You loved
the fireworks, every ride you could go on, and the princesses. We realized when
we were there that you hadn’t had much exposure to Disney because when you saw
Mickey Mouse you would call him “mousey.” You weren’t scared of anything, we
even went on the haunted mansion and you kept saying, “Is this scary?” I told
you that it wasn’t, that it was just funny and you were good with it. What I
have been shocked by is how much four months later you still talk about
Disneyland. You can’t wait to go back, and almost every time you see an
airplane you think it is going to Disneyland. </div>
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I know in your first and second birthday letters that I
talked about how much your siblings love you. That hasn’t changed. You and
Ainsley have an adorable relationship, Hudson steps out of his “cool” grade
school boy role to so sweetly play with you, but you and Camden are changing.
As the two younger kids you are now either partners in crime, or sometimes
fighting. He delights in making you squeal and run away from the monsters he is
always telling you about. Ainsley and Hudson give in to you and give you
whatever you want. Camden doesn’t let you get away with that, and you don’t let
him get away with anything either. You are far from a passive, or easy-going.
You will not let anyone walk on you! </div>
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A couple of things I never want to forget are how you hold
out your hand when you want to show us something, you point to it with your
hand, palm up, with your fingers together. It is darling. I love how when the
boys are doing something like jumping jacks or push-ups you do it with them- it
is hilarious. I also love how enthusiastic you get about some things. You
squeal with delight and jump and dance around. There is so much personality in
that little body. </div>
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You have been looking forward to your birthday for months.
Your siblings have been pumping you up about it forever. We woke you up for our
traditional birthday morning cinnamon roll breakfast. You opened your presents,
one of which was the monkey backpack that you have been looking forward to for
months. You also got a princess dress from Grandma and Grandpa Seaquist that
you love. Tonight Grandma, Grandad and Auntie Kate came over for dinner and to
celebrate with you. You loved your presents, and were especially cute with a
little music box that plays Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star. Grandma taught you
that when you were so little and you still love to sing it with her. </div>
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Reagan, I am missing the sweet little baby you were. But I
know I’m just going to love every part of watching you grow up. You are sweet,
adorable, so clever, and so fun to be with. Your daddy and I love you so much
and can’t believe how God blessed us with you and your sister and brothers. Above
all we thank God for you and desire for you to love Him and glorify Him your
whole life. </div>
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Happy third birthday Reagan Joy! </div>
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Love, </div>
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Mom</div>
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“May the Lord bless you and keep you;</div>
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The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you;</div>
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The Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”
Numbers 6:24-26<br />
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Opening presents in the morning- the long awaited monkey backpack.</div>
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Your brothers were very happy to help. </div>
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Polly Pockets!</div>
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At dinner tonight-</div>
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So much personality in that little face.</div>
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Mommy's sweet girl!</div>
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Ainsley helps with presents- although you don't need much help. </div>
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Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star</div>
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Cupcakes!!</div>
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Make A Wish!</div>
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You got them out- with help from brothers on either side of you. </div>
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Yummy!</div>
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Your princess dress from Grandma and Grandpa Seaquist. </div>
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Happy Birthday princess Reagan!</div>
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<!--EndFragment-->Pate Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02579711034536534752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4096849684928570864.post-74141576711659947492012-06-13T07:38:00.001-07:002012-06-13T07:38:08.578-07:00Hudson's I Am PoemIn going through Hudson's papers that he brought home from school I found this poem he had written.<br />
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I am a good basketball player<br />
I wonder how good I am at basketball<br />
I hear a basketball<br />
I see a basketball game<br />
I want to be a good sport when we win<br />
I am a good basketball player.<br />
<br />
I pretend I am Michael Jordan<br />
I feel like I am going to win<br />
I tough the rim of the basketball hoop<br />
I worry that I'm going to lose the basketball game<br />
I cry when I get hurt in basketball game<br />
I am a good basketball player<br />
<br />
I understand I'm a good basketball player<br />
I say I'm a really good basketball player<br />
I dream that I made a basket from half court<br />
I try my hardest in basketball<br />
I hope my team wins this game<br />
I am a good basketball player.<br />
<br />Pate Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02579711034536534752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4096849684928570864.post-61005756149499770272012-04-13T07:41:00.004-07:002012-04-13T11:46:18.998-07:00Ainsley turns 11!<span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 153); font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: -webkit-auto; ">“For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone.” - Audrey Hepburn</span><br /><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; ">Dear Ainsley,</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; ">11. </div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; ">Count it all Joy.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; ">Sweet girl. I love you. As you are growing up there is less I can write here. There is much more going on inside of you. <span style="font-size: 100%; ">This year was different. You spent a week at summer camp and my heart almost withered up and died from not hearing from you for that long. Your heart grew that week to about double its size from all the fun and love you found there. You can't wait to go back. I can't believe I will let you go again. </span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span style="font-size: 100%; "><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; ">Count it all Joy.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div><span><span style="font-size: 100%;">There was hurt this last year. Girls learning how to be friends isn't always easy. Mean girls one day, nice girls the next. Yuck. It stinks to go through this sort of stuff when you are the kid, watching your sweet little girl go through it may hurt even worse. But you have grown through it all. And it is the right thing. To learn who you are and why you are that person. That is what this season of life is about. This year was the beginning of lots of years of changing from a kid to a grown up. </span></span></div><div><span><span style="font-size: 100%;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span><span style="font-size: 100%;">Count it all Joy.</span></span></div><div><span><span style="font-size: 100%;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span><span style="font-size: 100%;">You </span>excel<span style="font-size: 100%;"> at so much. You feel deeply. You love well. You play hard. You think. </span></span></div><div><span><span style="font-size: 100%;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span><span style="font-size: 100%;">Count it all Joy.</span></span></div><div><span><span style="font-size: 100%;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span><span style="font-size: 100%;">You spend your time reading (you still love mysteries and have discovered Greek mythology type books which you love), listening to Adventures in Odyssey (I'm not sure there is a bigger fan out there), jumping on the trampoline (a favorite activity with your friends), and playing with your siblings (I think if Reagan was asked to pick between me and you she wouldn't hesitate in picking you!) </span></span></div><div><span><span style="font-size: 100%;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span><span style="font-size: 100%;">Count it all Joy.</span></span></div><div><span><span style="font-size: 100%;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span><span style="font-size: 100%;">Eleven years ago when I was holding a tiny little baby Grandma Seaquist and I talked about how we wondered what your voice would sound like. I was excited to hear what you sounded like, I didn't yet understand how wonderful it would be to get to talk with you as you got older and hear all the lovely and interesting thoughts that you have in your head. </span></span></div><div><span><span style="font-size: 100%;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span><span style="font-size: 100%;">Count it all Joy.</span></span></div><div><span><span style="font-size: 100%;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span><span style="font-size: 100%;">What a blessing has been the last eleven years Ainsley. I love you and, as always, pray that you would continue to grow into a great woman of God. </span></span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>I love you so much Ainsley Grace. </span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>Count it all Joy. Mom</span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>11 years ago and this morning before school-</span></div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DvxVPScEdc4/T4hrqtJNwPI/AAAAAAAAB0c/1Z_Uhs-z280/s1600/Scan%2B121040001.jpg"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DvxVPScEdc4/T4hrqtJNwPI/AAAAAAAAB0c/1Z_Uhs-z280/s320/Scan%2B121040001.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730948907245879538" style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-berXUy9rTu0/T4hrrADLzfI/AAAAAAAAB0o/gpsIXrFRoUE/s1600/IMG_3809.jpg"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-berXUy9rTu0/T4hrrADLzfI/AAAAAAAAB0o/gpsIXrFRoUE/s320/IMG_3809.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730948912320859634" style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div><i><span style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; ">James 1:2</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "> </span></i><em style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; "><b>Count it all joy</b>, my brothers,</em><em style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; "> </em><em style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; ">when you meet trials</em><em style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; "> </em><em style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; ">of various kinds,</em><em style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; "> </em><em style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; ">for you know that</em><em style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; "> </em><em style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; ">the testing of your faith</em><em style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; "> </em><em style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; ">produces steadfastness.</em><em style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; "> </em><em style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; ">And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be</em><em style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; "> perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.</em><span style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; "><span><br style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "></span><br /><br /></span></div><div><span><span style="font-size: 100%;"><br /></span></span></div>Pate Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02579711034536534752noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4096849684928570864.post-83297181451982610502012-02-12T15:56:00.000-08:002012-02-12T15:56:00.653-08:00New child to add to the chore rotation<div>Reagan has decided she can set the table. Monkey see, monkey do.</div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cVAfbaQUf-M/TzMMLDxg51I/AAAAAAAAB0Q/UNfYwf4ASSI/s1600/IMG_3570.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cVAfbaQUf-M/TzMMLDxg51I/AAAAAAAAB0Q/UNfYwf4ASSI/s320/IMG_3570.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706918536939628370" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2piPFp4l8qI/TzMMKpYqkAI/AAAAAAAAB0E/IkJjvy6cf6o/s1600/IMG_3569.jpg"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2piPFp4l8qI/TzMMKpYqkAI/AAAAAAAAB0E/IkJjvy6cf6o/s320/IMG_3569.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706918529856081922" style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a>Pate Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02579711034536534752noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4096849684928570864.post-90542128471582304282012-02-10T15:51:00.000-08:002012-02-10T15:51:00.285-08:00Nothing good comes of this...<div>she learned how to open the pantry door.</div><div><br /></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fjBOiVeh0h8/TzMK8xPy03I/AAAAAAAABz4/8joOppCIDRQ/s1600/IMG_3568.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fjBOiVeh0h8/TzMK8xPy03I/AAAAAAAABz4/8joOppCIDRQ/s320/IMG_3568.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706917191936562034" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zTnCQGKOvMM/TzMK8mjo2FI/AAAAAAAABzs/x2VPEGsHEQ4/s1600/IMG_3567.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zTnCQGKOvMM/TzMK8mjo2FI/AAAAAAAABzs/x2VPEGsHEQ4/s320/IMG_3567.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706917189067003986" /></a>Pate Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02579711034536534752noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4096849684928570864.post-28512172656712463932012-02-08T14:45:00.000-08:002012-02-08T15:06:51.360-08:00Camden's Big Game<div>Camden's pre-k/kgtn. basketball team got to scrimmage last night during half time of the Barlow varsity game. The high school kids chanting, "Little Pate- Little Pate" when Camden had the ball was a pretty cool moment. Very fun experience for a 5-year-old. (and his parents!) They even announced all the kids names and ran through the row of cheerleaders at the beginning. </div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bNUcecHNXw4/TzL9UKQLAAI/AAAAAAAABzc/8FkP2rxHKF8/s1600/IMG_3573.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bNUcecHNXw4/TzL9UKQLAAI/AAAAAAAABzc/8FkP2rxHKF8/s320/IMG_3573.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706902200623235074" /></a><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Pd5_ro16zE8/TzL9TVp5VMI/AAAAAAAABzQ/55J5Ej1z2h0/s1600/IMG_3582.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Pd5_ro16zE8/TzL9TVp5VMI/AAAAAAAABzQ/55J5Ej1z2h0/s320/IMG_3582.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706902186504049858" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hoq1H6vEZ1Y/TzL9SxKTBYI/AAAAAAAABzE/CRAY03jfXa4/s1600/IMG_3587.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hoq1H6vEZ1Y/TzL9SxKTBYI/AAAAAAAABzE/CRAY03jfXa4/s320/IMG_3587.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706902176707839362" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VD7DOgHBojs/TzL9SuAEjGI/AAAAAAAABy4/MYXMBieLEj8/s1600/IMG_3578.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VD7DOgHBojs/TzL9SuAEjGI/AAAAAAAABy4/MYXMBieLEj8/s320/IMG_3578.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706902175859641442" /></a></div><div>Defense is what Camden is all about. We are working on helping him switch over to offense when his team has the ball, usually he just keeps, as he says, "defensing" his man. His first game was on Saturday and at one point when he went out he got put guarding this really cute little girl. Before the ball had even been put into play he was "defensing" her and she was backing away from him, and so he would just get close and closer. The whole time he is making these intense faces. It was too much for the little girl and before they started playing she turned and ran off the court crying. It should be a fun season to watch!<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-11dKCUyZHrQ/TzL9SL6iucI/AAAAAAAABys/jSsQMRxpFpA/s1600/IMG_3572.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-11dKCUyZHrQ/TzL9SL6iucI/AAAAAAAABys/jSsQMRxpFpA/s320/IMG_3572.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706902166709647810" /></a><br /><br /></div>Pate Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02579711034536534752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4096849684928570864.post-43431642798383971322011-12-16T19:58:00.001-08:002011-12-16T21:26:55.542-08:00Happy Birthday Hudson!<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rwzOB_frEa4/TuwjaF7_GeI/AAAAAAAABxU/iZpEoLRn_n8/s1600/IMG_3437.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rwzOB_frEa4/TuwjaF7_GeI/AAAAAAAABxU/iZpEoLRn_n8/s320/IMG_3437.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5686959360639441378" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sw3CpZwW9jQ/TuwjZw90k1I/AAAAAAAABxI/RQnLBh95Al8/s1600/IMG_3444.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sw3CpZwW9jQ/TuwjZw90k1I/AAAAAAAABxI/RQnLBh95Al8/s320/IMG_3444.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5686959355009995602" /></a><br /><br />Dear Hudson,<br /><br />What a fun 8 years it has been with you. You started out this tiny little baby who slept perfectly and almost never cried, grew into a pretty wild toddler and pre-schooler, and have grown up into a sweet, independent full-on-grade schooler. <br /><br />You are a kid who really has two sides. You are sometimes shy and quiet. I see you sit back and wait to see how something is going to turn out before you try it. You have no interest whatsoever in doing anything up in front of people. What is so funny is you have that laid-back sort of charm that you can't teach someone. It means that other kids are drawn to be with you because you sort of make them work for your attention. <br /><br />It is the second side of you that is why they want your attention. You can switch from being quiet and shy into this silly, outgoing, pretty wild kid. You will laugh loud, talk a ton, and play really hard. You live to play with your friends. You come home from school and just want to go outside to find Colby. <br /><br />I've noticed in the past year that you are really pretty artistic. For a kid who didn't really pick up a crayon until kindergarten this surprises me. You really like to draw right now. One of your favorite things to do is have me print out pictures of things on the internet (star wars characters, snakes, eagles...) and then you try and copy them. You shade colors well and have good perspective. Your handwriting... well.. that is another story. It could use some work! <br /><br />You are really into the Oregon Ducks right now. You are definitely starting to align yourself with your daddy. You've of course always loved and looked up to him, but it is becoming different now. He's your role model, and he loves Duck football- so you do too. <br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WFUYONhVJGk/TuwlBmNUsbI/AAAAAAAABx4/IGVQp24esTw/s1600/IMG_3425.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WFUYONhVJGk/TuwlBmNUsbI/AAAAAAAABx4/IGVQp24esTw/s320/IMG_3425.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5686961138828620210" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LcN3qwumGCA/TuwlBf-Q4KI/AAAAAAAABxs/SaNX7yqFk_k/s1600/IMG_3433.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LcN3qwumGCA/TuwlBf-Q4KI/AAAAAAAABxs/SaNX7yqFk_k/s320/IMG_3433.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5686961137154842786" /></a><br />I marvel at how completely "boy" you are in everything you do. Your whole birthday is a great example. This was your family party year so last Saturday we went swimming at the North Clackamas Aquatic Park. You took Jackson Glover with you and the two of you had an amazing time. You did the slides over and over and had crazy amounts of fun. You and Camden shared a cake that day, and you guys picked a dirt bike hill cake. For your birthday dinner tonight we had meatballs shaped like footballs, salad and bread. To top it off the cake you wanted was a bomb. I'm doing my best at parenting boys Hudson, so I did my best at making you a bomb cake. It said "boom" on the side of it and an actual smoke bomb on the top. <br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Uq_SqQ--gBo/TuwjaR45BpI/AAAAAAAABxg/5b_MzJgZ4Po/s1600/IMG_3435.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Uq_SqQ--gBo/TuwjaR45BpI/AAAAAAAABxg/5b_MzJgZ4Po/s320/IMG_3435.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5686959363847685778" /></a><br /><br />Your doing great in school, not that you tell us anything about school. You love your class and love going, but don't have much to report despite my probing questions. It is interesting because when you are in the right mood you can be very chatty and tell us lots of things, but on a normal day you don't tell us much about what you are thinking. You are in Mrs. Terveens class this year and she is a great teacher for you. It is pretty funny that you are in her class because I was job-sharing with her in a second grade class when I was pregnant with you! <br /><br />My biggest worry for you is that you can be a bit of a follower. It is probably because you and Ainsley have always played so well together and she directs what your doing so it just comes naturally. One of my biggest prayers for you is that you will choose right and stand up for what you know to be true. <br /><br />You are really a super sweet kid. From someone just hanging around with you initially they might not initially see how gentle and kind you are, but you have a soft, tender little heart. You are getting so tall and so grown-up, but you will still snuggle in my lap, even though you don't fit. That reminds me- I can't believe it has taken me until almost the end of the letter to mention how much you eat. Man, you are ALWAYS hungry. You eat so much and then are still hungry an hour later. It is crazy. I can't imagine what you will be like as a teenager because as a 7 year old you about ate us out of house and home. Your the tallest in your class and are taller than some of the kids in Ainsley's 5th grade class. <br /><br />Daddy coached your soccer team this year and it was great. You did really well, and so did your whole team. It was so fun to watch you play and do well. What you are really excited about though, is basketball. You love basketball and are so excited to play. Daddy is coaching Ainsley's team and you go with them to practice most times. Your doing great. Last Friday night I went and watched a Barlow boys game and thought about how someday I will probably see you out there playing in high school. It is going to be fun to see what you do.<br /><br />You are a wonderful boy Hudson. It is such a blessing to be your mom. I pray that God will fill in all the things that your daddy and I miss as we are caught up in the day-to-day work of parenting. My prayer for you right now is that God would grant you wisdom to make good choices and see that walking a life with the Lord is the greatest and most fulfilling way to live. Proverbs 16:17 says, "The highway of the upright avoids evil; he who guards his way guards his life."<br /><br />Hudson, your daddy and I couldn't love you more. Thank you for being such a wonderful son and sweet brother to your siblings. We love you so much. I hope your eighth year is a wonderful one. <br /><br />Love, mom. <br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sDHD1cBe4CM/TuwjZUIkKhI/AAAAAAAABxA/JDw52OTQdbg/s1600/IMG_3442.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sDHD1cBe4CM/TuwjZUIkKhI/AAAAAAAABxA/JDw52OTQdbg/s320/IMG_3442.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5686959347270429202" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8eSlsdIetvA/TuwjZAw2rrI/AAAAAAAABww/zv1AhIcVso4/s1600/IMG_3439.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8eSlsdIetvA/TuwjZAw2rrI/AAAAAAAABww/zv1AhIcVso4/s320/IMG_3439.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5686959342070705842" /></a><br />This was outside setting off the smoke bomb from your cake. <br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZajUfzGlYQY/TuwlDHaIeHI/AAAAAAAAByc/cFlLsXQb8TQ/s1600/IMG_3412.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZajUfzGlYQY/TuwlDHaIeHI/AAAAAAAAByc/cFlLsXQb8TQ/s320/IMG_3412.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5686961164920584306" /></a><br />Grandma and Grandpa gave both you and Camden remote control cars for your birthday and you love them! <br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HD6Kp9mh7No/TuwlCkVBC1I/AAAAAAAAByQ/j910cSu5ddU/s1600/IMG_3415.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HD6Kp9mh7No/TuwlCkVBC1I/AAAAAAAAByQ/j910cSu5ddU/s320/IMG_3415.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5686961155503885138" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e8diLAcrZS0/TuwlCC7KCBI/AAAAAAAAByE/m-xCueiuK5I/s1600/IMG_3419.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e8diLAcrZS0/TuwlCC7KCBI/AAAAAAAAByE/m-xCueiuK5I/s320/IMG_3419.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5686961146537052178" /></a><br />The dirt bike hill from your shared party!Pate Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02579711034536534752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4096849684928570864.post-3106310615728845002011-12-05T20:42:00.001-08:002011-12-05T21:47:49.824-08:00A hand-full. (as in 5)<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FZyg_oqWio0/Tt2sR31FzKI/AAAAAAAABwg/3gaok-3Fqc8/s1600/IMG_3408.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FZyg_oqWio0/Tt2sR31FzKI/AAAAAAAABwg/3gaok-3Fqc8/s320/IMG_3408.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682887727855815842" /></a><br />Dear Camden,<div><br /></div><div>Today you turned 5. And sweet boy, now you are officially a hand-full. And I couldn't love you more. As I sit down to write this, I don't know exactly what I will say, but with you I'm thinking it will pretty much write itself.</div><div><br /></div><div>The thing that stands out about the last year is you starting pre-school. You are a Bruin Buddy. To say you love going to school would be a colossal (one of your favorite words) understatement. We didn't really know what to expect as far as how you would act at school, but evidently you are quite the little rule follower. You listen and obey. We are feeling really good about that. </div><div><br /></div><div>You like girls. You play hard and wrestle and have lots of playmates who are boys, but you also love girls. You don't necessarily play with them, but you really like to take care of girls. We have had to have conversations about not hugging girls and holding their hands at school. You also love your cousin Eleison so much. Tonight after talking to her on the phone you cried at bedtime because you want to see her so much. A month or so ago we went to the Woodards (from church) for dinner and as we were getting ready to leave you asked if you could wear a pink shirt. We were so confused, because of course you don't own a pink shirt. After questioning you about it you explained that Abigail (their 5 year old daughter) likes pink so you wanted to wear pink so she would like you. You settled on drawing a pink flower picture for her. So cute.</div><div><br /></div><div>You are a thinker Camden. Your mind is always going and trying to figure everything out. This has led to some interesting theology. You do fully understand that God should be the most important thing in our lives. You frequently say, "I love you, but not as much as I love God." Or you will say, "This is so great, but God is the greatest." </div><div><br /></div><div>A good word to describe you is passionate. I know it is cliche, but about you it is true- if you are going to do something, you are doing it 110%. Good or bad. If you have something to say or do you usually feel very strongly about it and it is hard to stop you. You are SO opinionated. If you believe something, your mind rarely will be changed. This year for our Sunday School Halloween party daddy and I dressed up as Samson and Delilah. When we came out and you saw us you said, "I know what Samson and Delilah look like and it is not like that!" In the past few weeks you have been saying, "I have some advice for you." Then you let us know what you think we should be doing differently. </div><div><br /></div><div>Your crazy smart. You love numbers and doing math problems. You are sounding out words and continue to shock us with your vocabulary. It is amazing. You are strong and coordinated. You came home from playing at Jalen's house this fall and said, "Hey, I can ride a bike without training wheels." Sure enough, you had gotten on his bike and without us ever teaching you, you took off riding. </div><div><br /></div><div>You are an awesome kid Camden. Nothing with you is ever boring. People say to us all the time that it is going to be fun to see what you do with your life. Whatever you do it won't be something dull. You have more personality packed into your now 5-year-old body than most people ever have in their whole life. </div><div><br /></div><div>Your choice for your birthday dinner tonight was hot dogs and Cheetos. It was interesting. That pretty much that sums up your whole life. You, my little love, are always interesting. I'm not sure we have ever worn you out. Your energy is without end. I so hope that your daddy and I can be the kind of parents that you need and deserve. As long as we can help you channel your energy and passion in the right direction, you will be amazing. </div><div><br /></div><div>Happy Birthday Camden. It is such a honor that of all the moms in the world, God chose me to be yours. </div><div><br /></div><div><b style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><i>"Grow in the grace<br />of our Lord and Savior<br />Jesus Christ.<br />Get to know Him better.<br />Give Him glory<br />both now and forever.<br />Amen."<br />2 Peter 3:18</i></b></div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1MMBXNRViRg/Tt2sRUj0vsI/AAAAAAAABwU/ObLd1A5qltc/s1600/IMG_3403.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1MMBXNRViRg/Tt2sRUj0vsI/AAAAAAAABwU/ObLd1A5qltc/s320/IMG_3403.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682887718388154050" style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0dJ0cf-o56c/Tt2sP46jIOI/AAAAAAAABwI/zp9BwzsUchs/s1600/IMG_3390.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0dJ0cf-o56c/Tt2sP46jIOI/AAAAAAAABwI/zp9BwzsUchs/s320/IMG_3390.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682887693787406562" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Pate Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02579711034536534752noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4096849684928570864.post-54615812905680367262011-11-18T14:39:00.001-08:002011-11-18T15:10:17.649-08:00School DaysSchool pictures:<div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r4cr0e8WB6U/TsblePYlwCI/AAAAAAAABvY/Hto5z3A36Ag/s1600/Scan%2B113220000.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r4cr0e8WB6U/TsblePYlwCI/AAAAAAAABvY/Hto5z3A36Ag/s320/Scan%2B113220000.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676476688035594274" style="cursor: pointer; width: 226px; height: 320px; " /></a><br /> Ainsley the 5th grader<div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xsQpYmgwC9k/TsbleDLqpFI/AAAAAAAABvg/o9UP7WjQe-g/s1600/Scan%2B113220001.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xsQpYmgwC9k/TsbleDLqpFI/AAAAAAAABvg/o9UP7WjQe-g/s320/Scan%2B113220001.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676476684760163410" style="cursor: pointer; width: 226px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div>Hudson the 2nd grader</div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ph3zdLU27mc/TsbleCgzP2I/AAAAAAAABv0/FtxwpeIM5d8/s1600/Scan%2B113220002.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ph3zdLU27mc/TsbleCgzP2I/AAAAAAAABv0/FtxwpeIM5d8/s320/Scan%2B113220002.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676476684580372322" style="cursor: pointer; width: 222px; height: 320px; " /></a></div></div><div>Camden the big preschool guy. </div>Pate Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02579711034536534752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4096849684928570864.post-48376808588184025512011-11-09T15:39:00.000-08:002011-11-09T21:33:02.195-08:00Happy 2nd Birthday Reagan Joy!<span class="Apple-style-span" >Dear Reagan,</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >Here it is. TWO. As in technically not a baby. It doesn't seem possible that we have been this little family of 6 for two whole years. But much has happened since your last (first) birthday letter. Lets get to it. </span></div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B62jSVfl4H8/TrtehxjEPJI/AAAAAAAABuE/U-AxvxYXWH4/s1600/IMG_3330.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B62jSVfl4H8/TrtehxjEPJI/AAAAAAAABuE/U-AxvxYXWH4/s320/IMG_3330.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673232089932381330" style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >You are a love. Always have been. So patient with so many people wanting to give you love and attention. I'm still amazed at your siblings devotion to you. I thought that this would be the year that someone (especially the someone closest in age to you, ahem...) would get frustrated and mad at you because you would get into their stuff and mess it up. You have of course become very mobile and capable of destruction this year. Amazingly there is almost no irritation with you. I try hard to protect your siblings creations to protect your relationship with them, but even when I fail as protector and you destroy something, for the most part there is no frustration. They all just love you so much that they want you to be with them. Amazing. Crossing my fingers it continues.</span></div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XIB4e9eBEeU/TrteiFRu46I/AAAAAAAABuQ/5-v_t7J2PIQ/s1600/IMG_3334.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XIB4e9eBEeU/TrteiFRu46I/AAAAAAAABuQ/5-v_t7J2PIQ/s320/IMG_3334.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673232095228388258" style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >There is irritation when you scream in the car. Sometimes you just don't want to be pinned down by that darn car seat and you go ahead and let everyone know how you feel. Loudly. This brings great irritation because you drown out the radio/adventures in odyssey and make it difficult to read. It also produces in Camden the need to scream, "beeeeeequiiiieeetttt!!!!" which does little to stop your screaming. Just had to throw this part in so you don't look back someday and think it was all sunshine and roses everyday! </span></div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xYlMd-HlcHA/Trtei09i1GI/AAAAAAAABuc/3yQmw17Qi9Q/s1600/IMG_3337.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xYlMd-HlcHA/Trtei09i1GI/AAAAAAAABuc/3yQmw17Qi9Q/s320/IMG_3337.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673232108028613730" style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >Ever since you started walking you have been a hand holder. Not really out of needing to be connected, but to bring one of us over to do whatever you want. When you bring us over you then shove our hand on whatever it is you want. Often it is to the pantry or refrigerator. Lately it is becoming to bring me to a book you want to read. There has even been a time or two that you bring me over to show me something that you just got into that you know you shouldn't have. Yeah for developing a conscience! For awhile when you first started walking you wouldn't let two people hold your hand at the same time. I think it was way too confining. That was before your siblings taught you the joy of, "one-two-three-WHEEE!" and now you love to hold two peoples hands so you can swing away.</span></div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XJcGlQUmPm8/TrtfOnluPhI/AAAAAAAABuo/raVKhXIDtrY/s1600/IMG_3339.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XJcGlQUmPm8/TrtfOnluPhI/AAAAAAAABuo/raVKhXIDtrY/s320/IMG_3339.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673232860353281554" style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >Speaking of swinging, I think we have a little dare-devil on our hands. Faster and higher is better. And big wild slides.. you love them. It is fun to take you places because you will try anything. You definitely think you are a big kid. You think jumping on beds, couches, and if someone will lift you on, the trampoline is great fun. Your sweet little laugh is intoxicating!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >You are also the first Pate child to learn how to climb out of your crib before the age of two. That sort of threw me at first. However you and I have come to an agreement that if you climb out, you get put in your little pea pod tent. You don't mind it, it is where you sleep when you are away from home, but you prefer your crib when here. Consequently you don't really climb out. I am still a bit shocked! Nice that you caught on quickly. </span></div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4dEGXnLmND0/TrtfO2F8SJI/AAAAAAAABu0/s9rv4w_I6qQ/s1600/IMG_3343.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4dEGXnLmND0/TrtfO2F8SJI/AAAAAAAABu0/s9rv4w_I6qQ/s320/IMG_3343.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673232864246515858" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >You are still a binkie and blankie girl. Two blankies to be exact. The funniest thing you do is when you are tired or needing soothed you put the little fringe part of your blanket up under your nose. I guess you are smelling it. Adorable. </span></div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DrlCIepzhyg/TrtehS7KzmI/AAAAAAAABts/RDshNvhovUo/s1600/IMG_3299.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DrlCIepzhyg/TrtehS7KzmI/AAAAAAAABts/RDshNvhovUo/s320/IMG_3299.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673232081711976034" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; ">"Dada" was your first word, but "mommy" wasn't far behind. You understood what we were telling you quite awhile ago, but saved talking until the last few months. Every animal until about 6 weeks ago was a doggie. In the past month you have been stringing words together to make little sentences. Your first sentence was, "where'd my binkie go?" Great. That is going to be fun to take away. When you call your siblings by name it melts their heart.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >Your favorite foods are pizza, spaghetti and pancakes. I hate to admit that you have discovered, thanks to Camden, that you love the tv show Curious George. You lead me over to where the tv remotes are and say, "show" and "monkey." You do love books, or "bookies" as you call them. You don't really have a favorite book, but we try and keep you away from non-board books right now because you are fond of ripping pages of paper books and then bringing them to me and saying "open." Evidently you are a little confused between things like raisin boxes or granola bar wrappers and books. </span></div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r80rsbDC62A/TrtfPKs2NxI/AAAAAAAABu8/nIERHFfVt04/s1600/IMG_3346.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r80rsbDC62A/TrtfPKs2NxI/AAAAAAAABu8/nIERHFfVt04/s320/IMG_3346.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673232869778405138" style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >I think our favorite thing about you that we have discovered this year is your funny little personality. You like to laugh and make us laugh. You know when you are doing something funny and delight in it. You are also so pretty and cute. People stop me all the time to tell me what a pretty little girl you are. Daddy especially loves your soft, golden blonde hair. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >This morning your siblings woke you up so we could have breakfast as a family and open presents. You weren't super impressed with the whole thing. Tonight when we had birthday dinner and opened gifts with grandma and grandad gave you a birthday cake toy that you were obsessed with. You loved it so much you wouldn't open up anything else. It was great practice so you knew how to blow out the candles on your cupcake! </span></div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ir1mXknDVL4/TrtehpHhuaI/AAAAAAAABt4/0rp0hQRYy5Y/s1600/IMG_3313.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ir1mXknDVL4/TrtehpHhuaI/AAAAAAAABt4/0rp0hQRYy5Y/s320/IMG_3313.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673232087669389730" style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >We love you so much Reagan Joy. It is so fun to watch you grow. You are so cute and fun right now that I want to freeze time and keep you this way forever. However, I know that I'm going to love what you turn into. I love every minute with you sweet baby girl. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><p align="center" class="credit_white_centre" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-size: medium; text-align: center; line-height: 22px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >May the Lord bless you and keep you.</span></p><p align="center" class="credit_white_centre" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-size: medium; text-align: center; line-height: 22px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >May the Lord make his face to shine upon you,<br />and be gracious to you.</span></p><p align="center" class="credit_white_centre" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-size: medium; text-align: center; line-height: 22px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you,<br />and give you peace.</span></p><p align="center" class="credit_white_centre" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-size: medium; text-align: center; line-height: 22px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></p><p align="center" class="credit_white_centre" style="text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-size: medium; line-height: 22px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >Happy second birthday Reagan Joy.</span></p><p align="center" class="credit_white_centre" style="text-align: left;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 22px; ">Love Mom. </p></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Pate Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02579711034536534752noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4096849684928570864.post-70281559171092330672011-11-01T15:19:00.000-07:002011-11-01T21:06:54.399-07:00October!!!<div>Our family actually did all the following October events in a period of six days. It was a busy end of the week/weekend! Here is the recap:</div><div><br /></div><div>Camden's preschool class took a trip to the pumpkin patch last Wednesday. Gramma Arlene got to go as a chaperone with him. It was a beautiful day and he had a great time. How cute is his little class!?!<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b_gTME0tp2E/TrB16gx6s5I/AAAAAAAABso/7RIFTvqj_ss/s1600/100_4019.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b_gTME0tp2E/TrB16gx6s5I/AAAAAAAABso/7RIFTvqj_ss/s320/100_4019.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670161578951619474" /></a></div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GYVfLsPhrv0/TrB2tCjMtmI/AAAAAAAABs8/wj9fZagwsZw/s1600/100_3997.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GYVfLsPhrv0/TrB2tCjMtmI/AAAAAAAABs8/wj9fZagwsZw/s320/100_3997.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670162447010149986" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div>This was his High School buddy for the day. Each kid had their own high schooler with them, and each group of three kids/high schoolers had one adult chaperone. The kids were well watched!</div><div><br /></div><div>After trying to find a day we could go on our annual trip to the pumpkin patch with Gramma and Grandad and Auntie Kate we finally were able to go on Friday night. Unfortunately Grandad had plans so he couldn't come. I almost said that it was unfortunate that it rained, but actually it wasn't bad because most of the stuff was actually indoors (we don't actually pick out pumpkins at the pumpkin patch) and there were NO lines! Ainsley's friend Sydney came with us- here they are in the acorn pit:</div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wTbNrjqSifM/TrBy5ZS05qI/AAAAAAAABp0/R2n7FO0AFqk/s1600/IMG_3208.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wTbNrjqSifM/TrBy5ZS05qI/AAAAAAAABp0/R2n7FO0AFqk/s320/IMG_3208.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670158261227415202" style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a><div>Reagan is the family animal lover and so she loved the goats and chickens.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nYoK69ZojqY/TrBy4sNPnJI/AAAAAAAABpo/u8CCi6sXhA0/s1600/IMG_3206.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nYoK69ZojqY/TrBy4sNPnJI/AAAAAAAABpo/u8CCi6sXhA0/s320/IMG_3206.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670158249124404370" style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div>There isn't much I need to explain about how Hudson feels about the giant swings. </div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7lhfp_sEwmY/TrBy4NC3vUI/AAAAAAAABpc/RhaXJnb8OnI/s1600/IMG_3181.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7lhfp_sEwmY/TrBy4NC3vUI/AAAAAAAABpc/RhaXJnb8OnI/s320/IMG_3181.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670158240759397698" style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div>Reagan loved the swings too.<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c2rbakujsWY/TrBy3hhpZiI/AAAAAAAABpQ/fxeTs0e890A/s1600/IMG_3187.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c2rbakujsWY/TrBy3hhpZiI/AAAAAAAABpQ/fxeTs0e890A/s320/IMG_3187.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670158229077321250" style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div>Auntie Kate helps out Camden on the swing.<br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4Jmu6o8ULtE/TrBy3QiPRpI/AAAAAAAABpE/gRUAQKvq6vE/s1600/IMG_3169.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4Jmu6o8ULtE/TrBy3QiPRpI/AAAAAAAABpE/gRUAQKvq6vE/s320/IMG_3169.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670158224516400786" style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div>Saturday was the Sunday School Harvest party at the Strandbergs. Whoever ordered the weather did a great job. It was super fun. Strandbergs are pretty much the best ever for letting us all come over. In a rare moment of boldness Andrew and I dressed up as Samson and Delilah. </div><div> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QCh54vENZh0/TrB0o65bFjI/AAAAAAAABqc/q2vnp8RSwVo/s1600/IMG_3247.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QCh54vENZh0/TrB0o65bFjI/AAAAAAAABqc/q2vnp8RSwVo/s320/IMG_3247.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670160177213150770" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a><br /></div><div>Ainsley trying to eat a donut on a string.<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9T0aKbU9Lek/TrB0nkeh65I/AAAAAAAABqE/QS_36jdoe7M/s1600/IMG_3231.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9T0aKbU9Lek/TrB0nkeh65I/AAAAAAAABqE/QS_36jdoe7M/s320/IMG_3231.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670160154014903186" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a></div><div>Sunday was pumpkin carving day. Andrew did a great job. Ainsley made Minney Mouse<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iipgTuAKDRA/TrB16X0ROqI/AAAAAAAABsg/IQlQhKomB5w/s1600/IMG_3279.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iipgTuAKDRA/TrB16X0ROqI/AAAAAAAABsg/IQlQhKomB5w/s320/IMG_3279.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670161576545565346" /></a></div><div>Camden wanted the bird from angry birds. How awesome is this? It is better in person.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2_LnTSKMhI4/TrB16Gkl7cI/AAAAAAAABsU/MgyRhv46DaU/s1600/IMG_3278.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2_LnTSKMhI4/TrB16Gkl7cI/AAAAAAAABsU/MgyRhv46DaU/s320/IMG_3278.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670161571916410306" /></a></div><div>And Hudson represented the Ducks. Don't be fooled and think that is a drawing of a duck on top of the "O". It's not. It is a bat. Because that makes sense right?<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r55XPG7VVmA/TrB15rqOvbI/AAAAAAAABsI/J7H_NgjoxlY/s1600/IMG_3277.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r55XPG7VVmA/TrB15rqOvbI/AAAAAAAABsI/J7H_NgjoxlY/s320/IMG_3277.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670161564692299186" /></a></div><div>And finally the culmination. Halloween night. I didn't actually get any trick-or-treating pictures because have you ever had four kids trick or treating that all walk? We hadn't either. Turns out that keeps you busy. We went with a whole pack of kids from the neighborhood. The big group of kids along with no streetlights in our neighborhood (okay, in our whole town) make it really tricky to keep track of your kids. Hudson's goal was to be the first kid at every door. Ainsley and her friend made their way a little slower. Reagan wanted to walk, but of course couldn't keep up. She made it up to three doors total. I carried Reagan on and off and tried to keep my eye on the older two. </div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1f7wPlC4Jf8/TrB1NYV8LRI/AAAAAAAABrA/3OiLtwDUYB0/s1600/IMG_3268.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1f7wPlC4Jf8/TrB1NYV8LRI/AAAAAAAABrA/3OiLtwDUYB0/s320/IMG_3268.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670160803592678674" style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div>Hudson-Jango Fett, Camden-Buzz Lightyear</div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iMdzxc8zSKI/TrB1OMzhAgI/AAAAAAAABrU/1n26Tzeg2Fo/s1600/IMG_3272.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iMdzxc8zSKI/TrB1OMzhAgI/AAAAAAAABrU/1n26Tzeg2Fo/s320/IMG_3272.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670160817675371010" style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div>Andrew was with Camden who enjoyed every minute of Halloween. Camden saw no reason to hurry through the event. He didn't keep up with the other kids. With Andrew watching him he would go up to each door alone, having been left in the dust by the pack. He would procede to have a long conversation with each person who opened the door, about everything from their house, their Halloween decorations and how he thought they could be improved, and their candy selection. Andrew said it was hilarious. Two times the person didn't come to the door fast enough and Camden opened the door to try and let himself in. Andrew explained that he couldn't do that because we don't know those people. Turns out that wasn't the best explanation because at the very last house which was our next-door neighbors who Camden loves he opened the door without even knocking as he was yelling to Andrew at the driveway, "this is okay because I know these guys!" I will have to do a whole post on Camden and our neighbor Chuck. Funny stuff. </div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G3wxETRDee0/TrB0p8AXqGI/AAAAAAAABq0/vTND9Xe8hGw/s1600/IMG_3267.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G3wxETRDee0/TrB0p8AXqGI/AAAAAAAABq0/vTND9Xe8hGw/s320/IMG_3267.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670160194690590818" style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div>After much debate over a costume choice for Ainsley she ended up going with tennis player Maria Sherapova. Not only is it her favorite sport, but Maria wears necklaces and dangly earrings. Getting to buy new jewelry to make up a costume was the icing on the cake. </div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-76u1xUAyOvo/TrB1NqBl0xI/AAAAAAAABrM/vl3MYVhzZQE/s1600/IMG_3271.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-76u1xUAyOvo/TrB1NqBl0xI/AAAAAAAABrM/vl3MYVhzZQE/s320/IMG_3271.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670160808339165970" style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div>Reagan was the fourth Pate child to wear this giraffe costume. She wasn't a big fan. I finally got the costume on, but never was successful with the little hood/head part. Oh well, she is plenty cute without a giraffe head. </div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5AJTPhYLZLg/TrB15fMIxMI/AAAAAAAABr8/l6HpRCxzbB0/s1600/IMG_3275.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5AJTPhYLZLg/TrB15fMIxMI/AAAAAAAABr8/l6HpRCxzbB0/s320/IMG_3275.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670161561344853186" style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div>As you can see no one lacked for candy.<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EwmueDPw2wQ/TrB1PFCGveI/AAAAAAAABrw/y6IavZPxxZ4/s1600/IMG_3274.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EwmueDPw2wQ/TrB1PFCGveI/AAAAAAAABrw/y6IavZPxxZ4/s320/IMG_3274.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670160832768949730" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HNfkmYRmEX4/TrB1OVqQBBI/AAAAAAAABrk/RQiFf4IDU9M/s1600/IMG_3273.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HNfkmYRmEX4/TrB1OVqQBBI/AAAAAAAABrk/RQiFf4IDU9M/s320/IMG_3273.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670160820052427794" /></a><br />My friend Tara made these shirts for the kids, and Gramma and Grandad grew the pumpkins with each kid's name on it. I just tried to get everyone to look at the camera at the same time. Fail. Super fun and successful Halloween for everyone!<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Fna2UfMESZ4/TrB0pFBGziI/AAAAAAAABqo/apzhUVXgEWY/s1600/IMG_3257.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Fna2UfMESZ4/TrB0pFBGziI/AAAAAAAABqo/apzhUVXgEWY/s320/IMG_3257.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670160179929730594" /></a><br /><br /></div></div>Pate Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02579711034536534752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4096849684928570864.post-30302680584247782932011-10-14T08:11:00.000-07:002011-10-14T08:11:00.722-07:00Facebook and my blog had a fight...<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; ">It is accurate to say that Facebook sort of ate my blog. Facebook is faster, a bit more interactive, and if forces me to be more concise. However, one of the main reasons I write my blog is so our kids will have a little glimpse back into our lives. I have had the blog printed into a book. Facebook you can't do that with. I am probably being super 20th century because of the need to have it printed into an actual paper book... but whatever. Just in case my kids do in fact read the paper book, I actually spent two hours going through my facebook account from my post a couple days ago all the way to when I joined FB in 2008. It was actually pretty fun. I copied the postings that I though would be good to remember. Here they are, going in backwards chronological order. Fun little snapshots into our lives.</span></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Facebook October 2011- 2008</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div>Hudson, "It sure is easy that jeans match everything, huh mom? It makes it less confusing."</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">If every time the over timer dings your almost 2 year old yells, "Cookies!" you might need to change your cooking just a little. Maybe.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">I just took Reagan and Camden with me to a u-pick tomato farm. They spent the whole time holding hands walking up and down the rows amassing a collection of caterpillars. It was so cute it made my day.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Camden spilled on his shirt, Hudson says, "Hey, that used to be mine. Don't ruin it. It has been around for generations." (<a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1510615808" hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=1510615808" style="cursor: pointer; color: rgb(59, 89, 152); text-decoration: none; ">Laura Holleman Terveen</a> I think "generations" was a vocab word at school right?)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Camden, "I'm going to be a Chinese spy when I grow up. And a missionary too."</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Reagan was just *ever* so helpful and removed almost every single item from the finished dryer and put it back in the washer.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; "><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Wise words from Hudson this morning, "I liked it better before Reagan learned to yell the word no." (we made it to almost 2 before she said "no" and now in the last 4 days she has made up for it.)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Reagan doesn't have many words, however "COOKIE!!!" is clear (and loud) as a bell.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Camden to me, "I love you more than all the dancing magic trees in the whole universe." Thanks sweetheart.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Hudson, "So I'm going to get straight A's so then I can have any job. What is the worst grades you can get?" Me, "I guess straight F's." Hudson, "Then your only choice for a job would be an artist." (apology to any friends I have that are artists :) )</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Reagan's new plan is to open the door and let the dog in the house. Not acceptable in our house. The delight of letting the dog in seems to override any discipline. Good times.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">My girl is home! She loved camp seems about 5 years older. It is good to be a complete family again.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">You know the way you feel when you see an ultrasound of your baby for the first time? The relief that it is there and is fine? That is how I felt this morning when I saw this picture- my baby is there and looks like she is doing fine. (not that she has sent me a letter to tell me that!)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Ainsley and Emma waiting to be assigned to a cabin- they look (and were) stressed. Hoping that it is all good now. Not that I will know for 6 more days! Kid better write.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Just dropped off my firstborn at Trout Creek Bible Camp... I'm sure she will be fine-but wow Saturday seems like a long ways away!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Camden's prayer at bedtime: Dear Jesus, help Reagan to grow up. Amen.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">If your trying to stop smoking, hang out with Camden. He has announced loudly twice now in front of a stranger lighting up, "Hey, that guy is "cigaretting" and so he is going to die!"</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Ainsley at bedtime last night, "Mom, you really need to get Reagan back on a sleeping schedule. She has been really crabby since we have been in Milton-Freewater." Kid will make a good mom.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Reagan is on a hunger strike. The only thing she wants to eat is corn and black bean salsa. Three bowls of it (no chips- just eating it with a spoon/her hands) before 9am. The breakfast of champions.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Hudson says to me, "You know what I learned from camping?" What? "It is not a good idea to collect sticks, then put them in the fire, then let them touch your skin." You had to go camping to learn that?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Today is my amazing dad's 70th birthday! We are surprising him by meeting him in Hood River for dinner tonight. If you live in M-F stop by C21 and wish him Happy Birthday.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Last weekend we showed up to the church retreat with a child with a black eye, (he actually ran into a wall) this week we are showing up to church with one that went to urgent care today for a cut above her eye (toddler meets fireplace hearth). And to think summer hasn't really started yet.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">About to head out for the 4th grade "over-nighter." I will not be sleeping on the gym floor. I will be going home as soon as the kids settle down and are asleep. Hoping I'm home by 1.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Camden: "When you guys laid me was I cute?" Me: "What?" C: "Like when you laid me out, was I cute?" Me: "Like when I lay you down on the floor?" C: "No, like when you laid me out like when I was an egg." He is missing a little information.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">We have gone from all winter Reagan's goal was to take her shoes off to use as a chew toy. Now she has discovered that shoes equal getting to go outside, and are consequently wonderful. She wants them on ALL.THE.TIME. She napped today with them on because that is what worked.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Just got a text from Andrew who is on a field trip with Hudson's class. Sounds like wandering through the forest with a bunch of first grade boys in the cold and rain is super fun *insert sarcastic tone*. Pretty happy he decided to pick up this field trip rather than me!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Learning the difference between showering to get wet and showering to get clean was the lesson today in the Pate household.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">I take back what I said before about not liking the caterpillars that were soon to be butterflies. The caterpillars and their cocoons were gross, but the excitement the kids have over getting to watch them open up into butterflies makes it worth having bugs in your house.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">"Hudson, change your shirt- you can't wear an orange shirt with red shorts." "Yes I can mom, I look cool like fire!"</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">There are some parts of parenting I'm just not cut out for. Case in point: we got a butterfly kit for Easter. I was okay with the little caterpillars in the cup at first, but now that they have grown bigger and their "waste" has accumulated in the cup I'm gagging every time I look in their direction.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">The lesson Reagan learned today: Mommy is right, even though the orange peel looks better than the inside part, it really isn't as good. Only took three times.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">I put on my sunglasses and Reagan looked at me and started freaking out. That is the definition of, "It has been raining too long."</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Ainsley and a couple friends are out in our front yard trying to do a lemonade stand (finally a sunny day!) . She just came in and said, "We are going to do a buy one get one free, we have to do something to drum up some sales before we just drink it all ourselves." Drinking it all yourselves is a profit killer.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Andrew to Reagan as she falls (again): "gravity is your enemy." Glad I was clear he was saying it to her, not me :)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Andrew just sent me a comic strip that says: "Give me the best sunscreen you've got." (persons hands over a piece of paper) "What is this?" "Directions to Portland."</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Over half way through the Hubble IMAX movie Camden whispers to me, "Mom, is this real?"</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Our sweet 19 year old neighbor girl told us that last week she called the police because our house was all dark and there was a flashlight going all around. She went outside to look closer while on the phone with the police and saw we one of us in the window so the police didn't come. Good thing- we were playing sardines with the kids and everyone had a flashlight. Need to remember to close the blinds next time!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Cousins ETA: any minute. Excitement level in our house: off the charts.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">As Camden is putting on shoes and socks, "Mom, I can't wait until it is summer and I can wear naked feet with sandals."</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Ainsley this morning, "Wow! It is Friday already? People are right, when you get older time does start to just fly by!"</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Snowy-rain, windy, cold... must be the first day of tennis season. Want to re-think which sport you coach <a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1629250951" hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=1629250951" style="cursor: pointer; color: rgb(59, 89, 152); text-decoration: none; ">Andrew Pate</a>? Or re-think coaching altogether?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">After the 3rd trip to the bathroom (swimming at Great Wolf Lodge) in an hour Andrew tells C he has to quit drinking the water. "I can't, it keeps pouring in my mouth!"</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Off to Great Wolf Lodge after church today. Fastest my kids have ever gotten ready for church. :)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Hudson about going to a girls birthday party, "I want to go, but I'm not watching her open presents 'cause I don't want to see all the girly stuff."</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">"Mommy since it is snowing we should get presents!"</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">My prayer this morning was, "Please Lord let him learn to use his gifts for good not evil." And also, "Please answer this prayer quick."</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Must take a picture of Reagan playing peek-a-boo by covering her ears. Brings new meaning to cute.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">I always pray that my kids would get caught when they do things wrong. I think I'm going to pray that for this week they just wouldn't do things wrong...I need a break.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Beginning to re-think not putting baby latches on the cabinets because "it is our last baby and why go to the trouble for just one" plan. Do you know how much trouble "just one" can get into?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">The word "Hey" spelled out in fish sticks on my front porch this morning tells me it is time for Christmas break to be over because the High School kids are getting bored.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Just completed another level in the game of parenting boys. I decorated a birthday cake camouflage. The addition of army men and weapons will make for a happy little 7 year old.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Impromptu vocab lesson in our house this morning was courtesy of a Christmas carol: "offspring of a virgins womb."</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Making a bowling ball and pin birthday cake with Hudson... he tries to convince me to let him put army guys all over it. Perhaps we should have gone with lazer tag rather than a bowling party? (his stocking goodie bags do have army guys in them, so we aren't going to be unarmed at the party.)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Dear feaverish, fussy, high-maintance baby: Please bring Reagan back.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Camden this morning, "Mom, how many days until my next birthday?" Me, "364" him, "Oh no."</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Camden says in the middle of a discipline chat, "but mom, some days I just forget that your in charge of me."</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">If a child runs in, while you are showering and yells, "THERE IS A SNAKE IN OUR HOUSE!" you might initially panic. However, if they continue with, "it is pink and I think it is changing into a dragon," you will probably relax and go back to enjoying the shower.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Got Reagan's first birthday letter written and posted with 34 minutes left of her birthday. It was a great day and great birthday for her. Except for the little thing of one of her siblings throwing up at the table during her birthday dinner. This is the family your in little one!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Last year at this time I was on my way to the hospital to meet Reagan Joy. Astonished it has been a year already. What a love she is!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">My plans this evening? Snuggling on the couch watching election returns. It is an exciting life when you are married to a Political Studies teacher.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Camden, "How much longer until the next Halloween?" I had to be the bearer of bad news.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">I think my kids brought home approximately their weight in candy. I might leave the front door unlocked tonight in hopes a candy burglar is out in the neighborhood. If that doesn't happen, my plan is two pieces a day until Wednesday or Thursday. Then after a big, really healthy dinner, the message will be: eat everything else you want because after that it is going to Daddy's school kids.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">How cold does it have to be before my boys will decide that the uncomfortableness of pants is better than the coldness of shorts?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">It is possible I have a vampire baby. Hug her and she snuggles her head down in your neck, then bites.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Multitasking=monitoring one child's time out at your feet, helping one child fold a cootie catcher, quizzing another on spelling words, all while nursing a another child.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">"Camden, where are your clothes?" "I was putting on my watch." Mutually exclusive because...???</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">2 1/2 hours in Urgent Care to end up with the glue stuff instead of stitches. Don't get me wrong- happy A didn't have to have stitches, but can I just buy that glue? I know I could do what the doctor just did, and I wouldn't glue my glove to the child's forehead...</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">"Don't tell the baby to 'fetch.'" "But mom, it is her favorite thing to do!" Sadly that is true.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Camden trying to teach Reagan to sing the alphabet just made my top ten cutest things ever list.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Not what I expected. Currently C. is out riding his bike. He has been up since 2 am seriously bouncing off the walls. Evidently Tylenol with Codine takes my very active 3 year year old and turns him into an indescribable ball of energy.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Home! Little boy is doing great. As we were giving him little sips of water he asked for french fries. So... he has now had cookies and french fries. Go figure. They said (and we have experienced before) that day 4 and 5 are often the worst- so I'm going to enjoy the drug induced okay-ness of today. Thanks for praying for him!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Big C is out of surgery and with us- surgery went great- tons. and adn. were enormous. Now the fun begins...</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">They just took back Camden for surgery (tonsils) he was actually really excited. A ride on a rolling bed was very exciting. Please pray for our little guy!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Tonsillectomy tomorrow morning- Can we go through this again? Pray that it goes more like it went for the girl than it went for the boy last time!!!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Reagan learning to crawl solves two problems for me. I no longer have to take the time to feed her in her high-chair because I don't sweep anymore either. (just kidding-mostly)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">"Camden why are your hands so dirty?" "Because I've been doing dirty things." Al-righty then.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">It is possible I over did it with all the choking hazard lectures. Now if Reagan picks up a little piece of lint off the floor and Camden notices he starts shrieking, "SHE'S GOING TO DIE!!!"</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Sometimes you just need another adult around to laugh with you. The boys were building competing docks this morning with legos, I overheard Hudson say to Camden: "Camden, size does totally matter!"</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Hudson has entered a new phase. Wounds are no longer something to be upset over, now they are badges of honor earned in hard play.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Nothing jolts you out of bed faster than the sound of the child who crawled in bed with you a few minutes before throwing up. I should know, this is the second day in a row that it has happened to me. Different child each day. I should be really fast by #4.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">There are the beginnings of two cute little teeth in the baby's mouth! She should look like a perfect little jack-o-lantern by Halloween. Wow do I love that little pumpkin.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">At bedtime Camden just prayed for Reagan and said, "and I just bless (that means please in his little prayer language) that Reagan won't get hit by lightsabers anymore." ANYMORE??? Okay, what did I miss?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Today's best vacation comment by Ainsley, "I just love mini-marts. They have such an interesting variety of amazing products."</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">You know the next day is going to be busy when the night before you write your to-do list and it simply says, "clean everywhere, pack everyone, buy everything."</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">"Stop trying to teach your sister how to crawl!"</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Camden appeared from his nap. "Camden, where are your pants?" Camden, "I don't know, but I didn't eat them."</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Listening to Camden explain to his swimming teacher the "right" way to blow bubbles is priceless. Poor teenage girl is thinking they are not paying her enough for this.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Just discovered my kids outside "practicing" for field day tomorrow, with eggs and barbells. What sort of games do they think Mr. Lustig is planning?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Camden (after 90 minutes in his room to pick up one bucket of toys that should have taken 1 minute) "I'm all done!" Me: "great." Camden: "but just don't go check it." Yeah, right.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Reagan is already a multi-tasker. She scratch/pinches my back with one hand, tries (and often does) pull my hair with the other, flails her legs around trying to kick something, darts her eyes all around trying to see what is going on 360 degrees around her, all while nursing. Yep, she is another Pate child.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Watching the septic tank get pumped is major excitement for 3 and 6 year old boys.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">I just put my daughter on a bus with her dad and 14 high school boys for a tennis tournament- 3 days, 2 nights. A good thing or should I have my head examined?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">A & H are outside with tape and saran wrap trying to create a fake accident that they want to film for America's Funniest Home Videos. Nothing good can come of this.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">I just helped Camden fill out his bracket. He believes the winning score will be, "winners 100, loser crying numbers." (there wasn't a spot for that in the ESPN bracket.) All three big kids took Duke to win, they love their daddy. (so did I :) )</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Love when I'm doing something else and then look over to see the baby looking right into my eyes smiling, then when I make eye contact she squeals happily because I noticed her. If only making everyone happy was that easy.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Baby finds foot. Mommy finds 10 minutes of quiet.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">10 acres of greenspace and a playground behind our house and my kids are playing football in the front yard because, "there's nobody in the greenway right now and somebody we know might drive by on the street." Honestly, my kids would probably love living in an apartment complex because of the social opportunities.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">We have a houseful of new toys from Christmas and from two boys birthdays and what have Hudson and the friend he has over been doing for the past 40 minutes... happily wrestling and punching each other.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Camden's newest pick-up line, used liberally on women at church, his siblings friends, and random people in stores, "what's your species?" Perhaps we need to stop watching Dinosaur Train.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">So amazing when you are feeding an infant and she looks up at you and makes eye contact, stops eating, and slowly a smile emerges. What a blessing to get to love babies. It also makes me happy when they start doing this because you know there is something going on in their little head after 4 weeks of sleeping and cross-eyed looks.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">motherhood is not for wimps.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">We're officially outnumbered 2 to 1 and the house is still standing, so all is well.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">is falling madly in love with a little 8 lb bundle of delicious newborness. Thanks for all the well wishes and comments yesterday everyone. I'm going to print them and put them in her baby book.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Here she is! Woo Hoo!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Getting ready to push, and still debating three boy names. Nothing like waiting until the last minute...</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">At the hospital: check. Epidural: Check. Now it is nap time!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">enjoyed our kids soccer season, and enjoyed the thunder that ended the game we were sitting through in the POURING rain! Also pretty happy I get to meet #4 in about 48 hours!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">forgot to avoid a power struggle. He has to know I'm going to win, but he would have to give up his almost 3 year-old status if he doesn't give it a shot.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Just said to a friend, "a week from now I won't look or feel like this." She said, "no, a week from now you'll look and feel even worse." Thanks- but it has to get worse to get better!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">I love my daughter- she is currently sorting all her candy by type, has weighed it (4 pounds worth), and counted- 80 pieces. Hudson is wondering if his "atomic fireballs" will blow up if he puts fire on them or throws them on the ground really hard. Is it any surprise my kids are mixing up Halloween and 4th of July?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><h6 class="uiStreamMessage" ft="{"type":1}" style="font-size: 11px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; word-wrap: break-word; "><span class="messageBody translationEligibleUserMessage" ft="{"type":3}">I'm helping in Hudson's class today and will be there when school lets out. I explained to him that I would take him home because I would already be there, suddenly he was on the verge of tears because HE WANTS TO RIDE THE BUS! No problem bud, ride the bus home! So cute!</span></h6><div><br /></div></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">overheard in the car on the way to the library: Hudson, "Ainsley can you tell me how you puked that one time when mom made you eat more salad, because I want to do that tonight with the stew."</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">it makes my day when Camden runs up, lays on the floor in front of me and says, "if you tickle me, I will laugh."</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><h6 class="uiStreamMessage" ft="{"type":1}" style="font-size: 11px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; word-wrap: break-word; "><span class="messageBody translationEligibleUserMessage" ft="{"type":3}">waiting for Ainsley and Hudson to come home from school- Hudson for the first time- Hope his first day of kindergarten was great. I have his requested peanut butter cookies currently in the oven.</span></h6><div><br /></div></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">It is amazing how cranky kids can be even when they are not saying a word. It is also amazing how mad a 2 year-old who is used to having two older siblings always entertain him can be when said playmates are not up to their roles as entertainers.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Progress- 3 hours of sleep in a row. The the longest since as Ainsley wrote (because she won't talk), "they ripped part of our bodies out of our mouths!"</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Tonsillectomies don't make for the best weekends ever.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Home from the hospital- other than throw-up in the car on the way home they are doing pretty well. So after a pretty engaging, positive summer, we will fry their little brains with lots of TV and ice cream right before school starts. Oh well- thanks for praying the surgery would go well!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Praying and waiting.... one in the recovery room, the other currently in surgery. Darn giant tonsils.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">My kids loved our trip to the store today, we purchased ice cream, jello, pudding, and juice. They won't be as happy tomorrow- both A & H are getting their tonsils taken out. If you think of it- say a little prayer for us!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">took Ainsley on an adventure to Powells this morning. She then made herself carsick reading on the way home. Oh well- happy that I have a child that passionately loves to read. One down, three to go.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">is getting ready to go out for the night with Andrew. Camden is at the door yelling, "Cheri, where are you? I wanna see you." God bless babysitters and thank goodness my children would prefer to have a babysitter over for the night than have me stay home.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; "><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">is enjoying having a cell phone again, and also enjoying that Camden has his blue blankie back. Nothing like leaving a special object behind for a week to point out that really a little piece of fabric is far more comforting than a mother.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">is wondering what diseases her youngest will get from alternating feeding chipmunks by hand and then eating the peanuts himself. Never mind the ticks he is probably picking up from the deer that he is PETTING! Aren't these wild animals?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">just got back from the "big" ultrasound. Sweet, wiggly, big, baby. For the fourth time we didn't peek. We figure we will know if it is a boy or girl for the rest of our lives. Might as well keep it a surprise for these short (long) nine months.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">peeked in on #4 again today. In keeping with Pate tradition at 12 weeks it measures 2 weeks bigger than it should. I should have married someone smaller if I didn't want big babies.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Is off to pre-school Mother's Day tea after being informed that, "Dads and donuts was way better than this is going to be mom, because tea is not as good."</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Ainsley just made a batch of muffins by herself- followed the recipe perfectly. The spilled cinnamon may never come out of the grout in my floor- but oh well.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">was happy to see a little wiggly body and heartbeat today. What a miracle.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">is happy to be excused from Jury Duty. I said I could come if I could bring my 2 year old. Wonder why they excused me?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">just walked in from taking Ainsley to the bus stop and found Camden up at the table eating butter.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">was happy that when she told her kids that we were staying in M-F and our presents aren't here Ainsley said, "well, Christmas isn't about presents anyway."</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">is happy that Mr. Clean magic erasers take sharpie off cabinets- Thanks Camden.</span></div>Pate Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02579711034536534752noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4096849684928570864.post-90840376726190760672011-10-12T15:54:00.000-07:002011-10-12T15:54:00.781-07:004 months in 2 minutes.So what do you do when you essentially took about 4 months off from your blog? Since I make these into a book I can't just pretend June through September didn't happen. So I either had to quit blogging, or do this. So here it is. A ton of pictures really fast. I'm going to try and write in sentence fragments and be fast. Who am I kidding- I can't tell anything fast and I pretty much always use sentence fragments... so... oh well. Here goes:<br /><br /><br />June: Sunday School Swim party.<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7uJRNyHsFqE/TpTlarlsJtI/AAAAAAAABkk/I2m5krK77N4/s1600/IMG_2226.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7uJRNyHsFqE/TpTlarlsJtI/AAAAAAAABkk/I2m5krK77N4/s320/IMG_2226.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662402878051722962" border="0" /></a><br />First day off school we took a trip to the State Capitol because Ainsley missed that field trip going on a tennis trip to Medford. Look how education we were being!<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kqIAz7O49eQ/TpTVZdYN0zI/AAAAAAAABic/v4GFDKeXbXo/s1600/IMG_2338.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kqIAz7O49eQ/TpTVZdYN0zI/AAAAAAAABic/v4GFDKeXbXo/s320/IMG_2338.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662385264871199538" border="0" /></a><br />Heather and Brent go to Jamaica, we keep Lauren and Lydia. It was great fun. (Okay- so probably more fun for H&B, but we had a great time with the girls.) Ainsley and Lauren went to the Oregon City girls basketball camp. It was amazing.<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ThcmUHBrFu4/TpTW48jVV4I/AAAAAAAABis/UF-804nL0yo/s1600/IMG_2346.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ThcmUHBrFu4/TpTW48jVV4I/AAAAAAAABis/UF-804nL0yo/s320/IMG_2346.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662386905326901122" border="0" /></a><br />June: Andrew went with other dads from church on on a camping trip with all the kids. Basically what I heard can be summed up with, "had a great time, really cold night, totally will do it again" and from Ainsley, "I was the best at shooting a gun!" and from me, "Yeah! Everyone came home injury-free." Oh and one other thing I thought of while I was typing that. Ainsley did throw up that night in the tent (she doesn't do real well with bad for you food, ie... hot dogs, chips, and other dad stuff) and Andrew's solution was to just throw the blanket she threw up away at the campground. It reminded me of a time when she was maybe one and a half and I was working and she was sick. Andrew stayed home with her that day, but decided he needed to run an errand in downtown Portland. She threw up on 84 on the way there. Rather than turn around he drove to Pioneer Place, went in the Gap, and bought her new clothes. Went right on with his errand. It is good for kids to get experiences with both parents :) Makes them tough. Look at me just summing up everything so quickly...<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0m4q0gbY8OE/TpTW51mav5I/AAAAAAAABi0/DW4bRyTqBbQ/s1600/IMG_2382.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0m4q0gbY8OE/TpTW51mav5I/AAAAAAAABi0/DW4bRyTqBbQ/s320/IMG_2382.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662386920640659346" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WXTOdKwsZtU/TpTW6bos7BI/AAAAAAAABjA/cISm9y4pPbA/s1600/IMG_2596.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WXTOdKwsZtU/TpTW6bos7BI/AAAAAAAABjA/cISm9y4pPbA/s320/IMG_2596.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662386930850786322" border="0" /></a><br />July: begins my favorite part of summer. Hanging out with my parents and sister's family. Here we are at a family wedding in Spokane.<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qgByPYTbDfA/TpTL4g4QueI/AAAAAAAABgU/ELDtnK0FbtQ/s1600/IMG_2659.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qgByPYTbDfA/TpTL4g4QueI/AAAAAAAABgU/ELDtnK0FbtQ/s320/IMG_2659.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662374803270580706" border="0" /></a><br />We tried so many times to get a picture of all six kids looking good together. Turns out we can't do that.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ww9_TvkkmAU/TpTL3vkT1GI/AAAAAAAABgI/BzVrUyr9qi8/s1600/DSCN5063.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ww9_TvkkmAU/TpTL3vkT1GI/AAAAAAAABgI/BzVrUyr9qi8/s320/DSCN5063.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662374790033560674" border="0" /></a><br />Camden and Eleison are so cute together. One of my favorite memories of the summer is the first night we saw them Camden just kept petting Eleison's hair. He was so happy to see her. They play so sweet together.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Cvz_NEVUUBo/TpTL1fy43eI/AAAAAAAABfw/gBPhKw8OTgE/s1600/IMG_2643.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Cvz_NEVUUBo/TpTL1fy43eI/AAAAAAAABfw/gBPhKw8OTgE/s320/IMG_2643.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662374751440002530" border="0" /></a><br />We went to Wallowa Lake. Fun, but a nasty little plague of fever/headache made it's way through all the kids. Made sleeping a little less than fun.<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f3N4Cc4wcdU/TpTTzn6N8JI/AAAAAAAABhE/3_xoTOLrWUQ/s1600/IMG_2757.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f3N4Cc4wcdU/TpTTzn6N8JI/AAAAAAAABhE/3_xoTOLrWUQ/s320/IMG_2757.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662383515351511186" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-093Qr-rlv3U/TpTTy52g6dI/AAAAAAAABg4/f_vAHZhGfZU/s1600/IMG_2755.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-093Qr-rlv3U/TpTTy52g6dI/AAAAAAAABg4/f_vAHZhGfZU/s320/IMG_2755.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662383502987946450" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XBrepTZLYO8/TpTTybWtb7I/AAAAAAAABgs/-G9MQ5uphL4/s1600/IMG_2747.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XBrepTZLYO8/TpTTybWtb7I/AAAAAAAABgs/-G9MQ5uphL4/s320/IMG_2747.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662383494801485746" border="0" /></a><br />We did go-carts, Camden was awesome and yelled the whole time out of pure joy. Eleison yelled, "best day ever!"<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Rht2s6bt0Mw/TpTT0zoqiVI/AAAAAAAABhc/HnTozGGZyTE/s1600/IMG_2786.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Rht2s6bt0Mw/TpTT0zoqiVI/AAAAAAAABhc/HnTozGGZyTE/s320/IMG_2786.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662383535678982482" border="0" /></a><br />We waited, in the hot sun, for a long time, in Joseph to see some horses ride by. Probably won't do that again.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N9QfcXQLhGg/TpTL5Sj0HmI/AAAAAAAABgg/vIZ9zu86fss/s1600/IMG_2774.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N9QfcXQLhGg/TpTL5Sj0HmI/AAAAAAAABgg/vIZ9zu86fss/s320/IMG_2774.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662374816606592610" border="0" /></a><br />Cute picture of everyone sitting in the back of Scott's truck waiting for it to happen. "It" lasted about 15 seconds. The smell lingered longer.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F01GFeN2Jpk/TpTT0Mz9mcI/AAAAAAAABhQ/yNtPC4R9iZI/s1600/IMG_2769.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F01GFeN2Jpk/TpTT0Mz9mcI/AAAAAAAABhQ/yNtPC4R9iZI/s320/IMG_2769.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662383525257386434" border="0" /></a><br />We came back to Portland and celebrated Zech's birthday at John's Incredible Pizza. Super fun place.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WsCFdJp_SG4/TpTVXWoU1mI/AAAAAAAABh4/MPhSoihOYMc/s1600/IMG_2861.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WsCFdJp_SG4/TpTVXWoU1mI/AAAAAAAABh4/MPhSoihOYMc/s320/IMG_2861.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662385228699981410" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QF3xZzv3-8E/TpTVX-1r9rI/AAAAAAAABiI/UlmsCPJjlzk/s1600/IMG_2869.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QF3xZzv3-8E/TpTVX-1r9rI/AAAAAAAABiI/UlmsCPJjlzk/s320/IMG_2869.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662385239493441202" border="0" /></a><br />Even the daddies had fun! (okay- they usually have fun :) )<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yuLuFq0XLog/TpTVYyWVVLI/AAAAAAAABiQ/4zmK27UxpRc/s1600/IMG_2917.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yuLuFq0XLog/TpTVYyWVVLI/AAAAAAAABiQ/4zmK27UxpRc/s320/IMG_2917.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662385253320578226" border="0" /></a><br />Man Christmas is a long time away... really love my niece and nephew. And I really love the relationships our kids have together.<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KzvKdV_KjP0/TpTW7c9nTzI/AAAAAAAABjM/PizY-soSuv0/s1600/IMG_2979.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KzvKdV_KjP0/TpTW7c9nTzI/AAAAAAAABjM/PizY-soSuv0/s320/IMG_2979.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662386948386803506" border="0" /></a><br />We pacified the sadness of them leaving with a beach trip with Grandma and Grandad. It was super fun. The kite in the background here says "Lincoln City."<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pVS5a4F_84o/TpTX2ANPbWI/AAAAAAAABkI/XH7W9PFulHg/s1600/IMG_3024.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pVS5a4F_84o/TpTX2ANPbWI/AAAAAAAABkI/XH7W9PFulHg/s320/IMG_3024.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662387954280000866" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ECHeMMdOZXI/TpTXzstWflI/AAAAAAAABjk/HwVxZuyIFlk/s1600/IMG_3007.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ECHeMMdOZXI/TpTXzstWflI/AAAAAAAABjk/HwVxZuyIFlk/s320/IMG_3007.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662387914686234194" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-95eGzSRXZQc/TpTX1E4ctZI/AAAAAAAABkA/dqgZN1vYFBM/s1600/IMG_3018.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-95eGzSRXZQc/TpTX1E4ctZI/AAAAAAAABkA/dqgZN1vYFBM/s320/IMG_3018.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662387938355099026" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--jwzExo6t5w/TpTX0HCShrI/AAAAAAAABjw/Ly6_BcodEzo/s1600/IMG_3011.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--jwzExo6t5w/TpTX0HCShrI/AAAAAAAABjw/Ly6_BcodEzo/s320/IMG_3011.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662387921753376434" border="0" /></a><br />As always- the kids loved the beach. Just wish I could turn up the temperature at the Oregon Coast.<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rqUaj-LWEkg/TpTW8OCW0DI/AAAAAAAABjY/afD8QMAkbc0/s1600/IMG_2991.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rqUaj-LWEkg/TpTW8OCW0DI/AAAAAAAABjY/afD8QMAkbc0/s320/IMG_2991.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662386961560031282" border="0" /></a><br />We came home from the beach and the next day took Ainsley to camp at Trout Creek Bible Camp with her friend Emma. Yikes. A week was a L.O.N.G. time to not have contact with our firstborn. This was when we dropped her off. They look a little nervous don't they?<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xGJwU4Syxk4/TpTlbI3Uc1I/AAAAAAAABkw/YmiiFhJpIEc/s1600/IMG_3031.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xGJwU4Syxk4/TpTlbI3Uc1I/AAAAAAAABkw/YmiiFhJpIEc/s320/IMG_3031.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662402885910295378" border="0" /></a><br />Ainsley had the time of her life. She LOVED camp so much and can't wait to go back. We are so glad. She is trying to figure out how she could go for more than one week next year. It was that good. She had to "kiss the moose" everyday. (you have to kiss the moose if you get a package or more than three pieces of mail that day.)<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6-xog_m70AE/TpTX2vbzmvI/AAAAAAAABkU/H5K6wQsT0cs/s1600/IMG_3028.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6-xog_m70AE/TpTX2vbzmvI/AAAAAAAABkU/H5K6wQsT0cs/s320/IMG_3028.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662387966957558514" border="0" /></a><br />One of the last big adventures was a trip to the Oregon Garden with Grandma, Grandad, and Auntie Kate. Our kids are so blessed to have two sets of such amazing grandparents.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wTHxJCdasRU/TpTlc79dZdI/AAAAAAAABk8/Qob8N1fsOOA/s1600/IMG_1348.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wTHxJCdasRU/TpTlc79dZdI/AAAAAAAABk8/Qob8N1fsOOA/s320/IMG_1348.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662402916806125010" border="0" /></a><br />Not pictured from the summer is lots of swimming, playing, complaining that the weather wasn't hot enough this year, tennis camp (a couple of them) and in general lots of fun family time.<br /><br />So there you go. It is the middle of October, but I did a summer wrap-up. If you stayed with me I'm guessing your name is Tennille. I would be shocked if anyone else made it this far! But hey - now the blog-book will be more-complete!Pate Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02579711034536534752noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4096849684928570864.post-84032630498539682632011-10-11T15:20:00.000-07:002011-10-11T15:49:48.706-07:00Pre K, 2nd, and 5th. A post. Finally.So it may seem like I'm about 6 weeks late posting first day of school pictures, but I'm actually not. It makes sense I waited because Camden's first day of school was actually October 3rd. So I just waited for him. I'm bad at blogging, great at rationalizing. Here are my cute little fifth and second graders. Wow. When did they get so big?<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NULIDsbbj8U/TpTCxqNgcLI/AAAAAAAABe0/M-2R1Mh1t5E/s1600/IMG_3089.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NULIDsbbj8U/TpTCxqNgcLI/AAAAAAAABe0/M-2R1Mh1t5E/s320/IMG_3089.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662364789911875762" border="0" /></a><br />Ainsley is really enjoying Ms Secor's class.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W28f_4OBs88/TpTDby_tIcI/AAAAAAAABfk/t3hxKD90Ars/s1600/IMG_3092.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W28f_4OBs88/TpTDby_tIcI/AAAAAAAABfk/t3hxKD90Ars/s320/IMG_3092.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662365513824412098" border="0" /></a><br />Hudson is doing great in Mrs. Terveen's class. Crazy that I job-shared with Mrs. Terveen when I was pregnant with Hudson!<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Dl0Ws_K9t2c/TpTCyR_AVEI/AAAAAAAABfE/WJ5Ed7hCGMI/s1600/IMG_3091.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Dl0Ws_K9t2c/TpTCyR_AVEI/AAAAAAAABfE/WJ5Ed7hCGMI/s320/IMG_3091.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662364800588469314" border="0" /></a><br />After watching Hudson and Ainsley go to school for all of September it was finally time for Camden to go to pre-school. He was so excited, but then on the drive there he said, "Hey, I'm nervous!" Super cute. He is going to Bruin Buddies at Barlow. He is amazed that daddy can go in the school office and watch him on the surveillance TV.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DlAprEK2DwU/TpTCvmy7WSI/AAAAAAAABeQ/gcuLGVcLO0s/s1600/IMG_3143.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DlAprEK2DwU/TpTCvmy7WSI/AAAAAAAABeQ/gcuLGVcLO0s/s320/IMG_3143.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662364754635348258" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PpZnOPuCKOo/TpTCw53KfmI/AAAAAAAABeo/DKiQ_5pT7II/s1600/IMG_3145.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PpZnOPuCKOo/TpTCw53KfmI/AAAAAAAABeo/DKiQ_5pT7II/s320/IMG_3145.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662364776933260898" border="0" /></a><br />He marched right into school ready to go. Every day since he goes in without so much as a glace back to me to say goodbye. I'll take that as a good thing that he loves it.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wJmQuv5ukzE/TpTCwG_rONI/AAAAAAAABec/Ga0zE_0cU6M/s1600/IMG_3146.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wJmQuv5ukzE/TpTCwG_rONI/AAAAAAAABec/Ga0zE_0cU6M/s320/IMG_3146.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662364763278751954" border="0" /></a><br />My favorite story so far is that on Thursday night last week, after 4 days in school, Camden asked me if he would still go to Bruin Buddies next year when he is in Kindergarten. I explained that no, he would go to Deep Creek. He burst into tears sobbing, "but then I'll never see Mrs. D again and I love her." Lets dial back the drama a bit, you've been with her for 4 days so far and you have a whole year left with her. Save those tears.<br /><br />And here is Reagan, who goes nowhere but out to the gate almost every morning in her pj's to watch as Ainsley and Hudson go to the bus. I'm probably never going to let her go to school.<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fvfOGATad88/TpTDaUF9RzI/AAAAAAAABfc/P9mRhF4bMig/s1600/IMG_3133.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fvfOGATad88/TpTDaUF9RzI/AAAAAAAABfc/P9mRhF4bMig/s320/IMG_3133.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662365488349267762" border="0" /></a>Pate Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02579711034536534752noreply@blogger.com2