Birthday Boys

6 & 4 ... can you believe it?!?

Spring '09

Finally - a post! Sorry, it just hasn't been my priority to blog since we moved. But I know my family would like to see some pics ... the boys are growing so quickly. The school year is winding down and we have many exciting things to look forward to this summer. We have found a house here in Northwest Arkansas. We'll make one more 2-week trip to our house in Chicago and move our stuff up here in June. We are hopeful that it will sell this summer. Please send up a prayer for us if you think of it. It will feel so good to have our things again and to be able to make a house our home. Kevin has lived in temporary housing since last fall (us since January) and you really learn to appreciate the comforts of home. Here are some cute pics - mostly from our spring break trip. I'll write more soon.

At the Adler Planetarium in Chicago.


Chicago Children's Museum.

Legoland Discovery Center.

On our trip to St. Louis before we went up the arch.

Going up the arch in the "egg" elevator.

I have no idea how I took this pic since I'm so claustrophobic and the top of the arch is narrow and small.

Outside the arch (back on safe ground!).

St. Louis City Museum - highly recommend it for families!

Hanging out at Grammy's house with my cousins & their kids. Good times! We all revolve around Grammy, can you tell?

Karsten & Uncle Richie.

Kieper and his cousin Julia (Jessica looking on).


The door to our future?!?

Adventures in AR

A long time since I've posted. I know. This posting is for sharing pics. I am grateful we are all together in the same state.

Our current backyard ...



Week after Christmas '08 in Dallas ...

The Ps and the boys (Karsten only looks sad because we rudely interrupted him from playing with NEW toys to take this picture).

Kellen's favorite gift of Christmas: Mario Kart Wii game from Gram-Gram & Old Dude (shouldn't he have been wishing for his two front teeth?!?).

File under: Insanely cute

Insanely cute No. 2: Kieper energetically thanking Nana for a Christmas gift.

Aunt Kristen & Morgan

The Pate Cousins

Karsten (3) and Mason (2)

Christmas in (Surprise!) Chicago

Well ... we ended up staying one more week. Kevin didn't feel well on Sunday and, frankly, we were no where near ready to leave. He came into my closet on Sunday as I was frantically packing and said, let's not go tomorrow (after the shock wore off - Kevin is NOT a last-minute game changer - I said, "But, I shipped all of the presents to Texas already." To which he said, "Just go to Walmart and replace them." Done.). THEN, bad weather hit and there was no way to leave. So, it allowed us to stay another five days (downtime we desperately needed) and spend Christmas Eve with Grammy (haven't done that in six years) and Christmas with the Woolfords (gourmet dinner & sledding with best friends!). Kellen and Kieper got to have an overnight with Ethan and Kevin and I had some magical times - and a blast sledding with the boys. Some of my fave pics from the unexpected gift of our first (and only) Christmas in our house in Illinois. Kellen is still at Jeff's (spending the night) and we are home with the little guys (*trying* to prep for the road trip tomorrow).

Christmas Eve at Grammy's house.

Baby Miranda.

Miranda & Daddy Richie.


The boys with Eddie.

Playing Go Fish.

Grammy & (Her Mini) Me

Santa surprised the boys with jamies and a note that said "hurry to bed!"



Grammy (86) and GiGi (90).

Auntie Tommye & Boys.

Uncle Danny & Boys.

Our little family (I really wasn't trying to have Texas hair ... but I'm going to hear it from Jeff on this picture).

The boys coming to our room on Christmas morning, ready for us to wake up (I had been waiting for them). I love the expression on Kieper's face, realizing Santa had visited.

Checking out Santa's the empty plate (and a note he left, something about more presents in Texas).

Hopefully Daddy is awake enough to be videotaping this ... World Championship Pokemon cards from Santa!






Insta-Christmas (Hey, I didn't say it was fancy).

The look of a happy boy & his toy.

"You had me with the candy cane ..."


Kieper shouted - "I always wanted Jesus!" in reaction to seeing his new Jesus doll (who Kieper soon had wrestling with the Hulk).

Kel & Aunt Lisa sledding on Christmas Day ... we all went down that hill many times (sometimes backwards ...). So. Fun.