Friday, October 26, 2007
A Little Present From Stephen
Kevin has gotten to know the official Cubs photographer, Stephen Green ... here's a little something SG has been working on (well, parents can dream!). Enjoy!
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Holiday Card Spoiler
If you do not want to see the photo session for my editor's note and our holiday cards, then DO NOT CLICK HERE! (If you do, click on "client access" and type in Pate - case sensitive.) Full disclosure: Yes, we did drag son #3 through a lengthy photo shoot even though he was in the hospital the night before, suffering from croup. Call me Mommy-on-a-Mission, but there is no rescheduling a photographer during the busy holiday season. Hence, he refused to smile and we had to pacify him with a sucker (mommy of the year award!).
We are having our first cold day in Chicago (that's right, we're talking in the 50s) and I'm freezing! The kids are oblivious, on the other hand, still begging to go "outside" at every turn. Karsten continues to amuse us all with his rather bold personality. He counts to 10, talks in complete sentences (constantly asking me, "What's that for?"), prays to Jesus, says please, thank you and "no, thanks, Mom." His teacher has informed me that even though he is the youngest in the class (most of the kids are 2 1/2 to 3), he has become a "leader." People, the kid isn't even 2! I simply cannot believe how much he talks, understands, demands ... I think we're in for it.
Happy Fall (stay tuned for pics from our first Chicago Halloween outing ... think, Ahoy Mates)!
BTW, this post is dedicated to Tessa, who is oh-so-subtle in her "BLOG NOW" messages.
We are having our first cold day in Chicago (that's right, we're talking in the 50s) and I'm freezing! The kids are oblivious, on the other hand, still begging to go "outside" at every turn. Karsten continues to amuse us all with his rather bold personality. He counts to 10, talks in complete sentences (constantly asking me, "What's that for?"), prays to Jesus, says please, thank you and "no, thanks, Mom." His teacher has informed me that even though he is the youngest in the class (most of the kids are 2 1/2 to 3), he has become a "leader." People, the kid isn't even 2! I simply cannot believe how much he talks, understands, demands ... I think we're in for it.
Happy Fall (stay tuned for pics from our first Chicago Halloween outing ... think, Ahoy Mates)!
BTW, this post is dedicated to Tessa, who is oh-so-subtle in her "BLOG NOW" messages.
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Golf Course Living
Well, we are moved in ... not what I would call settled. Most of our stuff is unpacked, but we still have plenty of boxes to open and we're in the process of decorating/fixing up ... oh yeah, and a MAJOR RENOVATION PROJECT! We are ripping off the entire exterior of the house - which is fun because we get to redesign the look and feel of the house, but v. time-consuming and we're only at the bid process so far.
The house is really nice - I thought I'd have to sell stuff when we left our Texas-sized house, but this one is even bigger! I'm starting to give Kevin those puppy-dog eyes ... as in, 'we need more furniture, honey!' It's really a cool layout - big, open and airy. The property is quite spectacular, coming from a postage stamp of a backyard. The backyard slopes down a hill and we have more than 20 trees! The neighborhood is so pretty with the golf course/club and lake. We also have deeded beach rights to Silver Lake (which we'll have to check out next year, because FALL has definitely arrived - oh well, I'll be using our two fireplaces all the time). Oh, and I have always wanted an oversized front door and we have it - one of our moving guys said he felt like he was walking into an episode of MTV Cribs when he saw the door. I still feel like I'm driving up to someone else's home.
The neighbors have been so welcoming and friendly. It's a quiet kids' neighborhood. Our next-door neighbors have 4 lovely children; their youngest Ethan is one month older than Kel. They have become fast friends (and Kieper too). Kellen and Kieper have adjusted so well - they love the ability to move around in a big yard around lots of kids. Karsten has had a tougher time. He's clingy and not sleeping well at night - hopefully this will pass soon as Mommy & Daddy are v. sleep-deprived! But, he has the cutest vocabulary: "osh" for orange juice; "bebe" for Kieper (they both call each other this and I find it so precious); "new nacks" for snacks; "onuts" for donuts; "oonalds" for noodles and on and on. Basically, he's adorable and our last child so we are guilty of spoiling him.
We miss Texas and we're looking at this as a "tour of duty" in the Midwest. Kevin and I are addicted to Lou Malnati's pizza - so much so that the boys moan "not again" when we tell them where we are eating. OK, how many kids do you know who complain about a steady diet of pizza?!? It's just been so long since we've had fabulous pizza - Dallas does not come close to offering up anything decent. We've also been eating polish dogs (OK, just me) and Italian food. Luckily, we joined a gym and I go there just about everyday with Karsten (while the boys are in Montessori school). I am still working for the magazine - which I love - and we have hired a Slovakian babysitter to help out in the afternoons. Since we arrived in August, we have been attending Willow Creek Community Church in Barrington - I can say I've never wanted to go to church so much! Missing a service doesn't even cross our minds. We even had Karsten dedicated there over Labor Day weekend.
Kevin's parents flew out to help us that first weekend - such a blessing! Everyone worked hard unpacking and Jane gave a few of the rooms her stunning design touch. My Dad will be here on Wednesday for a week. Kellen said all he wanted for his birthday was for Old Dude to spend it with him. Wish granted, baby doll! I'm VERY excited to see my Dad - I miss everyone in Texas SO much. But I know in my heart that we are destined to be back there.
Meanwhile, we are going to enjoy this opportunity and hope to have lots of visitors while we are here (and hope to start seeing my Grammy, cousins, family and old friends a lot more). And for inquiring minds ... Kevin reports that, yes, his wife's Chicago accent has returned.
Enjoy the pics!
Well, we do live on a golf course ... and, as you can see, Karsten is right at home (and cute enough to pull this off).
First day of school ... call me "cereal mom" because that's what they get for breakfast most days (in a cup no less).
My little love bug on his first day of school (he's going 2 days from 8:30-11:30 at his bro-bros' school).
For anyone who thinks having all boys is rough ... this is my life: kisses and adoration from the three cutest little boys! I love it!
Playing on part of our property.
At our church after Karsten's dedication.
Kellen & Kiep sitting at "Old Dude's Bar" in our new house.
Making memories at Wrigley Field.
Our first night in the (furniture-less) house after bathtime.
The house is really nice - I thought I'd have to sell stuff when we left our Texas-sized house, but this one is even bigger! I'm starting to give Kevin those puppy-dog eyes ... as in, 'we need more furniture, honey!' It's really a cool layout - big, open and airy. The property is quite spectacular, coming from a postage stamp of a backyard. The backyard slopes down a hill and we have more than 20 trees! The neighborhood is so pretty with the golf course/club and lake. We also have deeded beach rights to Silver Lake (which we'll have to check out next year, because FALL has definitely arrived - oh well, I'll be using our two fireplaces all the time). Oh, and I have always wanted an oversized front door and we have it - one of our moving guys said he felt like he was walking into an episode of MTV Cribs when he saw the door. I still feel like I'm driving up to someone else's home.
The neighbors have been so welcoming and friendly. It's a quiet kids' neighborhood. Our next-door neighbors have 4 lovely children; their youngest Ethan is one month older than Kel. They have become fast friends (and Kieper too). Kellen and Kieper have adjusted so well - they love the ability to move around in a big yard around lots of kids. Karsten has had a tougher time. He's clingy and not sleeping well at night - hopefully this will pass soon as Mommy & Daddy are v. sleep-deprived! But, he has the cutest vocabulary: "osh" for orange juice; "bebe" for Kieper (they both call each other this and I find it so precious); "new nacks" for snacks; "onuts" for donuts; "oonalds" for noodles and on and on. Basically, he's adorable and our last child so we are guilty of spoiling him.
We miss Texas and we're looking at this as a "tour of duty" in the Midwest. Kevin and I are addicted to Lou Malnati's pizza - so much so that the boys moan "not again" when we tell them where we are eating. OK, how many kids do you know who complain about a steady diet of pizza?!? It's just been so long since we've had fabulous pizza - Dallas does not come close to offering up anything decent. We've also been eating polish dogs (OK, just me) and Italian food. Luckily, we joined a gym and I go there just about everyday with Karsten (while the boys are in Montessori school). I am still working for the magazine - which I love - and we have hired a Slovakian babysitter to help out in the afternoons. Since we arrived in August, we have been attending Willow Creek Community Church in Barrington - I can say I've never wanted to go to church so much! Missing a service doesn't even cross our minds. We even had Karsten dedicated there over Labor Day weekend.
Kevin's parents flew out to help us that first weekend - such a blessing! Everyone worked hard unpacking and Jane gave a few of the rooms her stunning design touch. My Dad will be here on Wednesday for a week. Kellen said all he wanted for his birthday was for Old Dude to spend it with him. Wish granted, baby doll! I'm VERY excited to see my Dad - I miss everyone in Texas SO much. But I know in my heart that we are destined to be back there.
Meanwhile, we are going to enjoy this opportunity and hope to have lots of visitors while we are here (and hope to start seeing my Grammy, cousins, family and old friends a lot more). And for inquiring minds ... Kevin reports that, yes, his wife's Chicago accent has returned.
Enjoy the pics!
Well, we do live on a golf course ... and, as you can see, Karsten is right at home (and cute enough to pull this off).
First day of school ... call me "cereal mom" because that's what they get for breakfast most days (in a cup no less).
My little love bug on his first day of school (he's going 2 days from 8:30-11:30 at his bro-bros' school).
For anyone who thinks having all boys is rough ... this is my life: kisses and adoration from the three cutest little boys! I love it!
Playing on part of our property.
At our church after Karsten's dedication.
Kellen & Kiep sitting at "Old Dude's Bar" in our new house.
Making memories at Wrigley Field.
Our first night in the (furniture-less) house after bathtime.
Monday, September 10, 2007
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Sweet Home Chicago
Sorry I haven't posted in so long! I don't even have any new pics to upload at the moment. After 10 years in Dallas, where we got married, had our babies in the same hospital that Kevin was born in, pursued our careers and welcomed our families, we are moving back to Chicago. Kevin took a dream job to work in the sports business - his undeniable passion.
It's with mixed emotions ... we feel confident we'll be back in Texas soon. It's our true home now. Meanwhile we are trying to find a house in the Northwest Suburbs of Chicago (ideally Barrington or Cary) near our friends the Woolfords. I'll post again soon with more details!
It's with mixed emotions ... we feel confident we'll be back in Texas soon. It's our true home now. Meanwhile we are trying to find a house in the Northwest Suburbs of Chicago (ideally Barrington or Cary) near our friends the Woolfords. I'll post again soon with more details!
Saturday, May 12, 2007
Mother's Day
On Friday morning, Kellen and his classmates hosted a Mother's Breakfast. They prepared everything, from the tables with candles to the French toast and fruit salad. Kellen made me sit down while he served coffee and OJ. And, he presented me with a very special gift that he (and all the kids) had been working on all week - a cross-stitched hankie personalized with his handprint and sentiments. I was so overwhelmed when I saw the beautiful work Kellen had done. I held it together during the breakfast, but afterward went to my car and sobbed and sobbed, thanking God for such wonderful little boys (and, really, wondering what I did to deserve them). This is my first Mother's Day where I feel like Kellen really got it. He has such a pure and innocent heart. It's a day I'll never forget.
Kellen showing off his beautiful cross-stitch (he chose "I love you" for the message), plus our little table.
Just the two of us.
Kellen and his buddies: Ryan (l) and "the other" Kellen (r).
Kellen and his seatmate Caroline, who is the female version of Kellen. They are so similar in personality.
Mugging it up with friends - their last year together!
Kellen showing off his beautiful cross-stitch (he chose "I love you" for the message), plus our little table.
Just the two of us.
Kellen and his buddies: Ryan (l) and "the other" Kellen (r).
Kellen and his seatmate Caroline, who is the female version of Kellen. They are so similar in personality.
Mugging it up with friends - their last year together!
Monday, April 23, 2007
Our Little Mark Grace
The title of this blog is a little inside joke to my hubby ( :
Kellen's first baseball team (modified coach pitch) - the A's (and daddy is a coach!). And what position do you think he's been assigned to? That's right, Mark Grace fans: 1st base! As you can see, Kieper couldn't wait to see his "bro-bro" after Kellen made 3 outs. Of course mommy and daddy find the brotherly love priceless.
And, yes, I'm the mom who lets my other kids crash the "dugout" - they just want to be a part of everything the other one does! That says something about their connection.
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Kellen's first baseball team (modified coach pitch) - the A's (and daddy is a coach!). And what position do you think he's been assigned to? That's right, Mark Grace fans: 1st base! As you can see, Kieper couldn't wait to see his "bro-bro" after Kellen made 3 outs. Of course mommy and daddy find the brotherly love priceless.
And, yes, I'm the mom who lets my other kids crash the "dugout" - they just want to be a part of everything the other one does! That says something about their connection.
Monday, April 09, 2007
Monday, March 19, 2007
March-ing Along
Seriously, where are the pun police when you need them.
I seem to be posting so infrequently that I lost the code to my custom blog header (very frustrating)! We've had a lot of family in town (not for the reason we'd like ... Uncle Richard passed on Feb. 26). So many things going on. I'd love to catch you up but I'm too tired (refer to Three Boys below). Heaven knows I'm not a phone person so hopefully these pics will suffice for now.
Happy Spring (especially you Chicagoans).
Three being silly on Valentine's Day.
Open house at the boys' school. Notice Kellen's teacher, Ms. Navalta, carting around Karsten in the background.
Kellen and his teachers, Ms. Navalta (right) and Ms. Mitchell.
Kieper's teacher, Ms. Bhawala, watching him give a rousing rendition of the "choo-choo" song. This is quintessential Kieper material.
Oh, this shot is just from a recent Saturday when Pizza Hut was filming a commerical (for an Internet campaign) in front of our house (meet my husband Kevin, who had a, ahem, starring role... don't be jealous, ladies!).
Auntie Gale and Uncle Davey are here visiting! Auntie Gale told us their lake in Indiana is still frozen solid, so we're glad they are here enjoying temps in the 70s and 80s.
Seriously, is this the cutest picture EVER? Karsten really took to my Uncle Davey and Uncle Danny (not pictured). Such a guy's guy already.
The boys sharing their new chair from our neighbors, the Wadleys (thx guys!).
This is so their personalities.
Karsten and Auntie Karen. OK ... does he look like me or Kevin?!?
I seem to be posting so infrequently that I lost the code to my custom blog header (very frustrating)! We've had a lot of family in town (not for the reason we'd like ... Uncle Richard passed on Feb. 26). So many things going on. I'd love to catch you up but I'm too tired (refer to Three Boys below). Heaven knows I'm not a phone person so hopefully these pics will suffice for now.
Happy Spring (especially you Chicagoans).
Three being silly on Valentine's Day.
Open house at the boys' school. Notice Kellen's teacher, Ms. Navalta, carting around Karsten in the background.
Kellen and his teachers, Ms. Navalta (right) and Ms. Mitchell.
Kieper's teacher, Ms. Bhawala, watching him give a rousing rendition of the "choo-choo" song. This is quintessential Kieper material.
Oh, this shot is just from a recent Saturday when Pizza Hut was filming a commerical (for an Internet campaign) in front of our house (meet my husband Kevin, who had a, ahem, starring role... don't be jealous, ladies!).
Auntie Gale and Uncle Davey are here visiting! Auntie Gale told us their lake in Indiana is still frozen solid, so we're glad they are here enjoying temps in the 70s and 80s.
Seriously, is this the cutest picture EVER? Karsten really took to my Uncle Davey and Uncle Danny (not pictured). Such a guy's guy already.
The boys sharing their new chair from our neighbors, the Wadleys (thx guys!).
This is so their personalities.
Karsten and Auntie Karen. OK ... does he look like me or Kevin?!?
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