Up North

Little Alex

A blast from the past but not quite so long ago. The start of our family.

Now look at him.

Christmas e-Card 2012

Has been a wonderful 2012 for us and hope that it was as good for you as it has been for us. We have been busy with soccer for the boys this past spring and fall and both seem to enjoy the activity. Alex and Josh are also involved in CCD at our local church with a big year for Alex as this is his first communion year as well as first reconciliation. Save the date as his first communion will be this Easter season. We hope that many of you can make it.

Our summer was filled with pool time and road trips to fun destinations. We made are yearly trip up north and got to stay in a secluded cabin in the woods on the shore of Lake Superior and had a good visit with my mother and Paul. Lots of beach time and hiking with car camping on the way up and back due to our new Subaru outback. Emilynda and the boys have fallen in love with camping and did lots of it over the summer. This fall Alex entered 2nd grade and Josh entered Kindergarten. They have both made the transition well. I did miss them not being around the first couple of days but got over it as now I have time for all those home improvements on our list. The major projects include painting the house, new roof on shed and house, master bathroom tiling and trim work and other various jobs. So I do keep busy during my 6hrs of free time 4 days a week. Emilynda as always busy at her job with CLINIC as the Financial Director but on the weekends enjoys the boys and baking and cooking. We also have developed close relationships with a select few families that we cherish greatly and spend time with them as much as we can. We are truly blessed with these relationships. Hope every one has a wonderful Christmas and be as blessed as we have been in the coming new year.

Patrick, Emilynda, Alexander and Joshua  

Slowly but surely

This is my latest progress on our master bathroom. I am finally at the point of setting tile as a lot goes into the prep before you can set tile and a preponderance of time was consumed to picking out such tile that both married partners can agree upon. So here are a few progress pics to show our vision of a new bathroom by Christmas.

 

Halloween 2012

 

The Crash

		The Crash VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

Josh learned how to ride on two wheels last fall and so this year has been an adventure for him riding and riding till he drops. He has rode from school to home which is about 3miles and has graduated to burke lake that is around 5miles. On our latest trip to Burke lake he found himself on some loose gravel and lost control and did a face plant into the gravel. Not a pretty site for all involved. He screamed to high haven in pain but did want to come back after his bandages were put on and finish the ride. It really hurts to see your kids in pain and all you can do is try to console them…ouch!

Beat-up!

My little Joshua got into a fight with a sidewalk yesterday and it was heart breaking. We had just seen Zoo Keeper which was better then I expected but that is another story and were outside playing when I heard a blood curtailing scream from my little guy. I don’t usually run to him every time he cries but this was different so I went running.  Good thing my friend Kevin was at hand because he had a first aid kit with him so I was able to patch him up. Very sad to see your kid in pain and bleeding. Hope this pic is not too gory for you all but had to post….

  

Just make one

Alex has been dropping the DS play system hint for most of the summer for his Birthday. I for one loth the idea of my child being one of those kids who plays games all his life and eats and sleeps technology. I feel that if we get him one it will be a hard train to slow and we also know that his little brother will want one as well so that will be another fight to stave off. Oh the joys of parenting. Anyway I did find this pleasing that he decided to build his own out of Legos and thought I would share his creation. It is pretty cool actually and very detailed for a 6 yr old. He also said he was going to write a story about it in the morning.

Getting close

The end of July is near and that always signals our wedding anniversary. This year it will be 12 years since we stood at the alter and gave our vows to one another. Still haven't decided what to do for it but it does look like it will be crazy hot just as it was on our wedding day. We did a boat dinner cruse one year and that was a lot of fun so maybe again.

The Heat

The weather around here has been brutal as was most of the country the last couple of days or so. So what we did to beat the heat was to stay inside and feel blessed to have air-conditioning. The pool has been a great spot to hang out at this summer but lately even that has been to hot to go to. Crazy to think that it is too hot to go to the pool but with the air quality in the red zone we really had no choice if we want to be healthy. Its going to get cooler this week and we hope to continue are pool outings and summer cookouts. Next week the guys are at Bible camp with our church so that will be a nice little break for me to hit the gym again and some much needed me time. We are having a great summer and hope you are as well.

WV Trip

On a whim we decided to go to the Canaan Valley in West Virginia. It was going to be a very hot weekend to be in the DC area so we decided to go and explore the mountains. The drive was very scenic and went fast so the boys were in good spirits mostly and those of you with kids get the idea. I took lots of pic for you all to enjoy. We are having a great summer and hope everyone else is too.

 

		W.V. trip VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL