The Pattersons Post

2011-12-19T17:45:00.000-08:00

Easter

2008-04-22T14:24:00.000-07:00

Playing Catch Up

2008-04-22T14:03:00.000-07:00

So....I've been a little behind in posting here, so bear with me as I post quite a few things to catch you up on what's been happening around here! Hope you enjoy!

(Do you like the new design? Our good friend Dan did it for me! Thanks a bunch, Dan!!)

The Horse Cake

2008-03-01T11:17:00.000-08:00

Lauren and her class have been studying cowboys over the last couple of weeks. Imagine my surprise when last Wednesday morning she comes to me and tells me that I need to make a horse cake for her class. After questioning her further, I found out that her teacher had asked the class if anyone's mom would be able to make a horse cake for the class and my precious daughter gladly volunteered me. Thankfully, I didn't need it Wednesday...but her teacher did want it on Monday. So, Sunday afternoon, I baked the cake while Bobby ran around town looking for the specific candies that we needed to decorate the cake. Then after church Sunday night, I started icing and decorating the horse. Everything was going great, and I had actually finished the horse without too many difficulties. I happened to glance at the cake while I was washing things up and noticed that the braided licorice that I had used for the bridle & reigns was beginning to pop! I had red licorice strips sticking out all over the cake and I knew there was no way that the licorice would make it until Monday morning. So I began to search through the cabinets looking for something..anything..that I could make into reigns & a bridle. I found Lauren's sour gummy worms and flattened them and stuck them on. They worked! And the kids loved the cake, but I did inform Lauren to not volunteer Mommy unless she talked to me first! And this is my church home page.

Hayden's Crocs

2008-03-01T11:09:00.000-08:00

Bobby & Lauren were out shopping the other day and found these crocs for Hayden. I have to admit I wasn't too excited about them...he already has several pairs of shoes and why did he need another pair? But when Bobby showed them to Hayden, he was so excited and wanted Bobby to put them on him immediately. Well, let's just say the kid has become attached to these shoes! When he gets up in the morning, he will go and get them and want me to put them on over his footed pajamas...he gets upset when I won't let him take a nap with them on...The other day we actually had lost one (he had stuck it between the cushions of the couch). Did that stop him? NO! The kid walked around with only one croc on!

Hayden & the Books

2008-03-01T11:02:00.000-08:00

Hayden has never been a child that is interested in books. Papa & Granny have bought him several books, and Bobby & I have bought him books, but he was always too busy to sit still long enough to look at a book. Most of the time he just chewed on the corners of the pages. Well, just recently, he has started to get books himself and flip through them (on this day they weren't any of his books, but hey, they are books). And he looked so cute sitting in front of the bookshelf looking so studious that I just had to take a couple of pictures.

Paradise Park

2008-03-01T10:53:00.000-08:00

We took the kids to Paradise Park (not too far from our house), and they had so much fun! Lauren did a cooking "class", made an art project, played at the water table, had fun in the pretend bank and enjoyed playing outside. Hayden had his face painted by Mommy, wanted nothing to do with the water table (but somehow loves to play in the toilet at home), and spent most of his time opening and closing the cabinet doors of the play kitchen (something he also loves to do at home!).

Happy 7th Birthday, Lauren!

2008-01-22T21:56:00.000-08:00

What you do to keep them happy..

2008-01-22T21:48:00.000-08:00

For the last few days, after having yet another ear infection, Hayden has been very unpleasant, to say the least. So, we will do whatever it takes (within reason) to keep him happy...including stripping him down to his diaper, sitting him in the sink, and letting him play! It worked..just look at that smile!

Trying out a new 'do!

2008-01-22T21:45:00.000-08:00

After having Hayden's hair cut a little shorter, I just had to try spiking it!! And he looked so cute!

Hayden's Shades

2008-01-22T21:32:00.000-08:00

Actually, they are sunglasses from Build A Bear, but somehow Hayden latched on to them while Lauren was not looking. He kept bringing them to us and would want us to put them on him, and would walk around the house. When we showed him what he looked like in the mirror, he got the biggest grin on his face. He never ceases to find new ways to make us laugh!!

You never know...

2008-01-22T21:27:00.000-08:00

...where you will find things once Hayden gets his hands on them. The other day I couldn't find the remote to the TV. I knew Hayden had been playing with it, but I couldn't find it in any of the "usual" spots that he leaves it. As I began looking harder, I went to close one of the kitchen cabinet doors that he had left open...and guess what was sitting there?! Yep! The remote.

My little boy

2008-01-08T07:48:00.001-08:00

I love this picture of Hayden...it just captures his personality perfectly...so cute, but SO full of mischief!!

Christmas Fun

2008-01-01T15:02:00.000-08:00

SOOO...we haven't posted much in December...but, just take a look at all the fun things we've been doing!

Christmas in the Park

2007-12-04T11:31:00.000-08:00

Longview Park here in Lee's Summit has a great holiday lights display that you can drive through. They have tons of cool displays with moving parts, etc. Lauren LOVES going and was so excited last night when we went. This was Hayden's first time and while he did glance at the lights every once in a while, he was more interested in pulling his socks off!!

Lauren

2007-12-04T10:59:00.000-08:00

The other day, while looking through my pictures, I realized that I didn't have very many of Lauren by herself. I take a lot more pictures of Hayden now because, well, I'm with him for a bigger part of the day. And by the time Lauren gets home we get busy with homework, Kids4Truth, piano practice, dinner, etc. So, yesterday while Hayden was taking a late nap I thought it would be a good time to get some shots of our little girl. As you can see, though, she doesn't look much like a little girl anymore. I can't believe that in just over month from now she will be turning 7...how time flies!

Hayden Highlights

2007-12-04T10:51:00.001-08:00

Here are just a few pictures of what Hayden has been up to the last couple of weeks!

Old McHayden had a Farm

2007-11-10T18:49:00.000-08:00

We had a party today for Hayden's first birthday. He doesn't actually turn one until Wednesday, but we started his "birthday week" celebration today! We had a great party with lots of friends, and as you can tell from the pictures Hayden had a lot of fun as well.

Bobby and I were both commenting that sometimes we don't realize how much Hayden really comprehends when we talk to him. We had been saying all morning long that today was his party, that his friends were coming over, etc. Well, once we had him dressed and people started coming, you could just see how excited he was...he knew that this party was all for him!!!

Pumpkin Carving

2007-11-10T17:03:00.000-08:00

Last Saturday, we had some friends over to carve pumpkins. And now when I say, carve pumpkins, it's not your ordinary pumpkin carving...we got fancy! There were Dremel tools out, grapefruit spoons, woodworking tools...all to carve different designs in the pumpkins. We had a lot of fun and I think most of us are looking forward to it again next year!!

Little Bo Peep and her sheep

2007-11-02T12:55:00.000-07:00

Look at me now!!

2007-10-08T21:13:00.001-07:00

For a while now, Hayden has been standing without really knowing what he was doing. He would be preoccupied with a toy or trying to reach something and stand for a few seconds on his own. But, in the last couple of days he has started to stand and realize what he is doing. We will stand him up and he will get so excited about what he can do...so excited that he loses his balance and is back down sitting on the floor. It's so cute to see him so proud of himself and we know that now that he is starting to stand that walking is not that far away!

Hayden's First Haircut

2007-10-06T16:51:00.000-07:00

Well, I finally broke down and agreed to let Bobby take Hayden to have his hair cut. They went this morning to see Ted Geifer, a man in our church who is a barber. The top picture shows him "before", the middle is at the barber shop, and the bottom is the "after" picture. I couldn't believe how just a little trim made him look look so grown up!

2007-10-06T16:19:00.000-07:00

Lauren's first grade class took a field trip this week to Weston Red Barn Farm. They learned about picking apples, but because of a late spring frost that left the trees with no blossoms, they weren't able to actually pick any apples. The farm had a large assortment of animals that they were able to see, and some they were even allowed to pet. After finishing at the farm, they drove to a nearby state park where they ate lunch, played games and then decorated pumpkin cookies before heading back to school. Lauren was so exhausted she fell asleep on the bus on the way home!!

Go Crusaders!

2007-09-28T22:06:00.000-07:00

The varsity cheerleaders at school held a Cheerleading Clinic yesterday. I asked Lauren earlier in the week if she wanted to go, and she told me she did. So, I signed her up, paid the fee, paid for a retired uniform for her to wear and then...a couple days later Bobby tells me that she said she didn't want to go. Well, that day when I went to pick her up from school, she hops in the car and is all excited because the cheerleaders have come around to promote the clinic. When I questioned her about why she would have told Bobby she didn't want to go, but was then so excited she told me, "Well, I thought I would have to go to the doctor." In her mind, because it was called a "clinic", she thought that involved a doctor. After reassuring her there was nothing medical involved, she was more than eager to go.

So, Thursday afternoon she and several other elementary girls practiced and learned a routine. Then tonight during halftime of the boys varsity soccer game they performed. They did several cheers, as well as a small pyramid (which Lauren said was her favorite thing). They worked so hard and it was great to see all of the girls school spirit as they cheered!

No mountain too high

2007-09-18T14:36:00.000-07:00

Hayden decided to try his hand at playing IN the toy basket rather than just with the toys. You can tell how pleased he is with himself in the last picture!!

Fancy hair

2007-09-18T14:29:00.000-07:00

Bobby and Lauren went to the Chocolate Festival this past weekend. They had all kinds of chocolate confections, as well as other booths with cool things to do. Lauren painted a ceramic cat, had her face painted, and had her hair done (like the big girls). She even had gold glitter put in her hair to make it extra fancy...which we are still finding on and in everything!!!

What sisters are good for...

2007-09-18T13:11:00.000-07:00

...using their brothers as their babies instead of dolls!

Are you ready for football?

2007-09-18T12:59:00.000-07:00

I just love fall!!! The cooler weather, the changing leaves, and of course football!! Hayden looked so cute the other day in his fall clothes that I just had to take some pictures!!

First Day of School

2007-09-18T11:21:00.000-07:00

It's hard to believe that Lauren is already in first grade. She was definitely ready to start a new year of school. I'm not sure what she was more excited about..being with her friends again or taking her lunch to school!! We are so thrilled to see her so excited about learning and can't wait to see what new things she achieves this year.

Cheeto Boy

2007-09-18T11:10:00.000-07:00

Our adventure into the world of "real" food has been quite interesting. Hayden has very definite likes and dislikes (some he decides without even tasting). Papa scored a winner with Hayden, though, when he gave him some Cheetos. They're great entertainment for him as well as pretty tasty.

We're Back!!

2007-09-18T11:09:00.000-07:00

Well, we've finally figured out what was wrong with our computer/camera, so we're back up and running again. We've been pretty busy around here, so it'll take a few posts to catch us up!!

Look what Hayden's been into!!

2007-08-03T07:51:00.000-07:00

Our Fabulous Fourth!

2007-07-05T08:58:00.000-07:00

Happy 4th of July!

2007-07-04T11:31:00.000-07:00

The excitement of a 7 month old!

2007-06-29T11:22:00.000-07:00

Hayden was cracking me up this morning! Lauren and I were making funny noises and faces at him and each time he would get so excited. And the more we laughed, the more he did it!! I couldn't resist sharing some pictures of his excitement this morning!

What's up with Hayden

2007-06-28T19:04:00.000-07:00

Hayden is growing up so fast!! In the last few weeks he has started doing so many new things...eating finger foods, drinking from a sippy cup, doing his own version of crawling, sitting himself up, and just showing more and more of his personality!

Crazy Nights at Kids 4 Truth

2007-06-27T11:33:00.000-07:00

Each week this summer, Kids 4 Truth is having different theme nights. Lauren plans days in advance what she will be wearing for each theme. It's so fun to see her get so excited about something....and we can't just take the simple route either. I tried to just get by by having her wear mismatched socks on Crazy Sock Night, but that wasn't CRAZY enough, so we had to put socks in her hair, around her waist and coming out of her pockets!!

Kids 4 Truth is the Sunday night children's program at our church. You should check out the website at www.kids4truth.com.

Our visitors

2007-06-27T10:51:00.000-07:00

Imagine my surprise when I went to take the trash out and found a momma skunk and her 5 babies making their way across our backyard. The momma ran under our deck before we could get the camera, but we did get a few pictures of the babies. While the idea of skunks in my backyard freaks me out, I have to admit that the babies were pretty cute!

Puerto Rico

2007-05-30T12:52:00.000-07:00

Bobby's many hours of work were rewarded when he won trip this year with Lanier. We were so fortunate to be able to travel to Puerto Rico where we spent 6 days and 5 nights just relaxing and having a great time. I enjoyed a massage at the spa, and Bobby enjoyed fishing for tarpon (although the 3:30 AM wake up time was a little extreme!). We also were able to spend a day in Old San Juan touring one of the forts and the shops along the streets there. The rest of our time was spent just relaxing on the beach, spending time with friends that were also there, and eating at some of the local Puerto Rican restaurants.

May Highlights

2007-05-30T12:41:00.001-07:00

Where has the time gone?! I realized today that tomorrow is the last day of May and I haven't even posted once during the entire month!!! Here are just a few pictures from our month. It was kind of crazy...Hayden had his first trip to the ER (just a stomach bug), Lauren graduated from Kindergarten (pictures to be coming), Hayden has learned to sit up and has sprouted one tooth with the second not far behind! We've enjoyed the nice weather in between rain showers and have spent lots of time outside, and are looking forward to lots more fun this summer!!

Lauren's 1st Recital

2007-04-30T14:21:00.000-07:00

I just had to post these pictures together! It seems like it was just yesterday that Lauren was sitting at the piano in our house in Indiana plunking keys one by one driving us crazy. This past September, Lauren began taking formal piano lessons from Marcia Buster at school. She did very well considering we didn't get much practice time in with a new baby in the house. She had her end of the year recital this past weekend where she and I performed a duet of "Alouette". She was so excited that she was up at 7 on Saturday morning. Bobby and I are so proud of her!

Thanks to my dad for these pictures. I had given him my camera and he had taken some pictures with it only to find out during intermission that I had forgotten to put the memory card back in!!

He loves his thumb!

2007-04-24T09:01:00.000-07:00

Well, we've resigned ourselves to the fact that Hayden is going to be a thumb sucker! Oh how he loves that thumb! He wants it when he's tired, cranky or in the case of this picture, on the floor "watching" tv. He even tries to get it in his mouth between bites of his baby food!!! (That is quite a mess!) In this area, he is definitely like his daddy!

Cousins

2007-04-24T08:54:00.000-07:00

Bobby's sister and brother-in-law came through for a quick visit last weekend. It was so fun to see Lauren and Hayden with their cousins. It's a shame they aren't able to get together more...they had such a fun time together. The kids really enjoyed the aquarium exhibit at Crown Center and eating lunch at Fritz's!

Easter!!

2007-04-13T11:26:00.000-07:00

The last couple of years Lauren has enjoyed filling the eggs just as much as hunting them. This year she thought she should hide them as well. She promised us that she would forget where she put them. Much to her dismay, Mommy and Aunt Jennifer hid them in Granny's living room and dining room. It was absolutely too cold to hunt eggs outside!! She also enjoys dyeing the eggs...taking great pride in making designs with a wax crayon and then dyeing them just the right color. Gram thought Hayden should have been in on this, but Mommy vetoed that, and Hayden napped during the dyeing process. The next picture is of the kids on Easter before church. They both looked darling. Too bad we had to wear winter coats and cover Hayden with heavy blankets.

Catching Up

2007-04-13T11:23:00.000-07:00

This has been a crazy month!!! Hayden has had two ear infections, Bobby's parents came to visit, then his sister came to visit. I don't know where March went! Anyway, here are some pictures of the events from the last month or so to catch up!!

Hayden's new chair

2007-03-09T08:10:00.000-08:00

Hayden loves to sit up! Whenever we hold him, he always wants to be upright, looking around at the things around him. So, we thought we would try out a Bumbo seat. They didn't have them with Lauren, but it lets them sit up once they can hold their head up themselves. And, he loves it. I haven't gotten brave enough to have him sitting in it without me close enough to catch him if his head starts bobbing, but he definitely enjoys sitting in it and looking around (usually at Lauren playing or acting crazy!)

Hayden's new trick

2007-02-27T09:29:00.000-08:00

Hayden has been able to lift his head for awhile, but just in the last few days he's really been keeping his head up and looking around (and not hitting his nose on the floor). He's even started to get interested in the toys that we lay on the blanket around him. Also notice the stream of drool coming from his mouth..that's another thing he's been doing a lot of!! :)

Happy Valentine's Day!

2007-02-15T08:44:00.000-08:00

Lauren could hardly wait for Valentine's Day to get here! She loves the cards, the presents, but mostly I think she loves Valentine's Day for the candy!!! My parents, sister and grandmother came to celebrate with us too. (They also brought Hayden back from his first solo visit to Granny's house). We enjoyed dinner, presents, and Lauren sharing all her valentines from school with us.

Football Fan "In Training"

2007-02-15T08:38:00.000-08:00

Bobby is more than just a little excited to have another "guy" in the house to hang out and watch football with. Hayden hung out with his Daddy watching the game, enjoying a bottle, and laughing at the funny commercials. Notice Hayden's shirt (it says "Hut! Hut! Hike!" on it) - thanks Aunt Jennifer.

2007-01-23T14:05:00.000-08:00

Lauren chose a party at Lunar Bowl for her birthday this year. 15 of her friends came and went bowling, met Lunard (the bowling pin), ate pizza, had cake and ice cream and played in the arcade. Lauren had a blast! And Mommy didn't have to do much work (just bring the cake and goodie bags), whioh was great having a 2 month old at home!!

2 months old!

2007-01-23T13:20:00.000-08:00

Well, it's hard to believe, but Hayden was 2 months old last Sunday!!! We took him to the doctor on the 15th for his checkup and his first shots. He has gotten so big weighing in at 12 lbs. 5.5 ozs and has grown to 24 inches long. He also had to receive his first shots, but thankfully Bobby had gone with us, so he stayed in the room because I can't bear to hear those tiny baby cries!!!!

I've been tagged!

2007-01-18T09:21:00.000-08:00

Okay, so I hope this works...I've never done one of these before...but Danielle tagged me, so I'll try it!

A- available or single? Nope
B-Best Friend: Bobby, my husband
C-cake or pie - Cake (preferably Red Velvet)
D-drink of choice - Diet Coke
E-essential item I use everyday- computer
F-favorite color - Green
G-gummy bears or gummy worms - gummy bears
H-hometown - Columbia, Missouri
I-Indulgence- date with my husband, overnight even better
J-January or February - February
K-Kids and names - Lauren and Hayden
L-Life is incomplete without - Having Christ as my Savior
M-Marriage date - June 7, 1997
N-Number of Siblings - One younger sister, Jennifer
O-oranges or apples - Apples
P-phobias or fears - only one? I worry about a lot of things!
Q-Favorite quote - I'm sleep deprived...I'm doing well to remember what day it is
R-Reasons to smile - friends and family
S-Season - Winter
T-tag three or four people - Laura, Michelle M....I don't know anyone else with a blog
U-Unknown fact about me - I have no clue!
V-Vegetables you don't like - homegrown green beans (like the ones in the can)
W-worst habit - procrastination
Y- your favorite food - fruit!!!
Z-zodiac - I think Leo

Hayden's Smiles

2007-01-12T11:48:00.000-08:00

We've really enjoyed capturing some of Hayden's first smiles! Isn't he cute?

Tinker Toy Artist

2007-01-12T11:45:00.000-08:00

Aunt Jennifer bought Lauren these Tinker Toys for Christmas. She decided that we should make the guitar and microphone like they had on the front of the can. Only problem is they don't give you good instructions...you just have to go by the picture! But, we eventually got it made, and then she put on a concert for us!!

Christmas at Pa Pa and Granny's!

2007-01-12T11:39:00.000-08:00

We enjoyed spending almost 2 weeks at my parents house in Columbia for the holidays. Christmas Day was so much fun for Lauren (and the rest of us). We opened our stocking presents that morning, had lunch around 1, everyone took naps, and then opened the rest of the presents late that afternoon. Lauren got a double treat because not only did she get to open her presents, but Hayden's as well.

2007-01-12T11:28:00.000-08:00

Lauren and Hayden in their matching Christmas pajamas. Bobby thought maybe we should all get matching pajamas next year...I THINK NOT!

Gingerbread House

2007-01-12T11:23:00.000-08:00

Granny bought this gingerbread house kit for Lauren and I to put together. The house was already stuck together so all we had to do was decorate! Believe me...that is the way to make a gingerbread house! Lauren had just as much fun eating the candy as she did putting it on the house.

1st Christmas Clothes

2007-01-12T09:19:00.000-08:00

When Lauren celebrated her 1st Christmas she was almost a year old so it was very difficult to find many "Baby's 1st Christmas" outfits for her. So, when I knew Hayden would only be a month old for his 1st Christmas I just couldn't resist buying all sorts of Christmas outfits for him. Here are just a few of my favorites!

Christmas Pictures

2007-01-12T09:15:00.000-08:00

Here are some of the pictures from our Christmas Card Photo Shoot. Considering that we had just learned Hayden had reflux and he had spent most of his day screaming and or crying, we are amazed that these pictures look as good as they do.

Plaza Lights Flight

2007-01-12T09:10:00.000-08:00

Bobby and Lauren got the opportunity in early December to go up in a plane (Lauren's first plane ride) to view the Plaza lights from the sky. I don't know who was more excited...Bobby or Lauren!!

2007-01-12T08:16:00.000-08:00

Here are some pictures from our church Christmas program. Lauren was so excited to get to be one of the star holders!

2007-01-12T08:13:00.000-08:00

Hayden's first time to church! Pa Pa and Granny gave him this cute little outfit!

2007-01-12T07:52:00.000-08:00

Lauren was so excited when we had a large snowfall in early December. She couldn't wait to get outside and play!!! I think it took longer to get her dressed in all of her snow attire than it did for her to run around outside and get tired of playing in the snow! But, hey, it sure made for some cute pictures!

Our Muscle Girl

2007-01-12T07:50:00.000-08:00

Imagine our surprise when Lauren came downstairs looking like this! She had stuffed socks into her pajamas to make it look like she had big muscles. We never know what she will come up with next!

Some favorite pictures

2007-01-11T08:41:00.000-08:00

Here are some of my favorite pictures from the last few months of our lives. Our precious baby boy sleeping...Lauren's first day of kindergarten...and Lauren dressed up for Halloween as a little Chinese girl (my parents didn't even recognize her!)

Starting my blog

2007-01-10T15:56:00.000-08:00

Well, I've finally given in to peer pressure and am starting my own blog! Hopefully this will be a great way for family and friends to stay up to date on what is happening in the Patterson household!

Here's a picture of Hayden and Lauren on Thanksgiving day! Hayden was just a little over a week old at the time.