New Year's Fun at the Arboretum

We wrapped up 2011 with one last visit to the Dallas Arboretum. The weather was perfect and the kids were great.

Those are some BIG GOLDFISH! Ok, they were koi, but let's not get stuck on facts.


We just finished Christmas and if Santa would've known what joy a twig would bring...!


Dad taking orders as always.


The Aboretum had a Conestoga wagon that the kids could play in.


There were several storybook homes on display. Abby was playing in the "Jack and the Beanstalk" cottage.

Say it isn't so....

Our little baby turned one! This year flew completely by. We have been having a blast watching Owen experience everything. He has been walking for 2 and a half months and getting into everything. He is a speed demon running thru the house trying to keep up with his big sister. He stays busy chasing Wrigley, emptying the kitchen cabinets, "helping" unload the dishwasher, playing in the dirt and that is all before lunch!
We had a great time at his birthday party. We rented a bounce house, and it was awesome. Even the adults took a moment to recapture our youth and took a jump for two. Abby stayed in the bounce house almost the entire 6 hours it was in our backyard. I had to bribe her out with candy (shameless...I know). Needless to say we all enjoyed ourselves and look forward to another great year! We love you, Owen!


Mim and the birthday boy....before the festivites when he is still clean.


Mmmmm...cupcake! We never have to beg this kid to eat. He loves everything and he knows that is a cupcake.


Hold still dad...this is going to get messy.


I love birthdays!


It has been forever since all 4 of us were in photo together....not too shabby!

We are still here

Yes...I know it has been a while but we have been busy adjusting to our new house, renovating our new house and getting used to a walking baby.  The move went well, although I hope I never have to do it again!
The kids are growing super fast.  Owen started walking about a month ago and has kept Abby and me on our feet.  She is such a great big sister and always lets me know when Owen is headed for the stairs or playing in the dog food.  Abby is completely potty trained and loves wearing her big girl panties.  She also turned 3 shortly after we moved so we got to try out our new back yard.  We set out sprinklers, a water table and a toddler pool to cool off and had to start her party at 10 in the morning to avoid the heat of the day.

Thanks Mim and Pop for my super cool Lightening McQueen tricycle!

Rub a dub dub 2 cuties in the tub!  The duck bobbing tub turned into a baby tub during the after party.  Abby and her BFF Elly spent an entire hour giggling and splashing!

Of course a Cars cake in the shape of the number 3 was the order of the day.  Everything is Cars at our house.  We are on our second copy of the original Cars movie.  The first was completely worn out and would not play in our DVD player anymore.

Owen loves to eat...anything!  He will try anything we put in front of him...as long as it is not baby food. 

Watch out world...I am mobile and want to touch everything!

Catch Up!

I have to play a little catch up since my last post.  We have been very busy chasing crawling babies and keeping up with our big girl.  Abby has been busy charming the folks of Granbury.  She was in the Memorial Day parade and threw candy to the parade watchers.  I was a little worried because I had to watch from the street with Owen but she was in good hands with her Mim .  She hammed it up like a pro and waved to the crowd.  She is becoming such a big girl.

Owen has been growing so fast it is hard to keep up and keep the camera handy to catch all of his new moves.  He is crawling all over the house and every day he gets a little more coordinated and a little faster.  He has just started to pull himself up on anything he can reach which has been an exciting new development.  Now I not only have to chase him around the house, I have to beat him to his destination so I can catch him before he pulls himself up and face plants!  At least he has a constant smile on his face.  I couldn't ask for a happier baby!

We have also had a little taste of heaven thanks to Colin's friend at work.  She was so nice to send some of the most delicious cupcakes home for his birthday and they were quite the hit at our house.  They might have to make an appearence and disappearence ;) for Abby's birthday!



                       

Happy Easter

Happy Easter from the Patricks! We had a busy egg hunting weekend. The Easter bunny followed us to Granbury and Snyder and left a trail of chocolate filled eggs. Abby really enjoyed egg hunting this year. She finally understands that there is candy in the eggs and is very intent about finding them. She even made sure Owen got some eggs in his basket...such a good big sister!

Pre egg hunt with dad and our bunny ears!


More hands on deck...I found more eggs!


Our first mommy and son photo!


This egg hunting business is hard work...I need a break from this hot West Texas sun!

Springtime Fun!

We are so excited that Spring has arrived!  That means tons of fun playing outside.  I think Abby would be happy if she could live outside and Owen has been enjoying his new found freedom in his walker.  My back appreciates that he is enjoying the walker!  We have been enjoying the deck at Mim and Pop's.  We swing, blow bubbles and use the hammock to relax (more playing than relaxing).  It is like a mini vacation every time we visit.  We can't wait to start using the pool and the boat! 

Can't a guy get a little privacy while playing...always in my face with the camera mom.



Spring is on the sidewalk

And in the air! Spring means trips to the park, long walks around the neighborhood and sidewalk chalk!  Yea.  Good news for mom...this is hours of good fun and we are not in front of the TV.  Owen loves to be outside just as much as Abby.  Now we just need to sell our house so we can get a yard and put up a swing set.

Even Owen got in on the fun at Mim's.  He just enjoys being around all the action.  Thanks Mim for letting us decorate your driveway!