CWC Block Party

Kim and I took Karsten and Megan to CWC today

for their block party. Kids had such a nice time!

Lots of inflatibles and table games too!

Not great pictures - camera batteries were

on their last leg and picture taking was slow while

kids jump so fast! ;-)

And what a good sport Pastor Sherri was in the dunk tank!

Happy Birthday Dave!

Happy 33rd Birthday to our son-in-law Dave!

We celebrated Dave's birthday this past Sunday -

along with Father's Day -

but wanted to take a minute to let him

know how much we love him and appreciate

him too! Dave not only is married to

our daughter, Kim, but is grandson, Karsten's

Daddy. Dave also works with us at

Contractors Connection! Dave is a big

motorcycle enthusiast too!

Hope you enjoyed your dinner out and cupcakes with Karsten!

Some Tiger Game pics

Here we are at Comerica Park to watch the Tigers play!

And play they did - we won!

This picture was taken almost as we came through the gates -

Sydney did not like Paws at all!

A picture of Grandmama with Sydney and Kaitlyn -

looking so cute in their Tiger clothes!

This was Kaitlyn's first Tiger game -

and she picked a hot one!

We had great seats (maybe 4 rows up from the field next

to the Tiger dugout by 3rd base) but the

sun was way too hot and sunny for little

Kaitlyn's fair skin!

Notice the red cheeks on Grandmama - looks like she was not

handling it either!

We took the girls up by the baseball Ferris wheel in the

picnic area - we could watch the game in the shade!

We had a great time - Thank you Michelle & Mark!

Happy Father's Day!

We had such a great day today -

starting with taking Megan to church with us!

She enjoyed being with the other kids in Sunday

School. Kari worked from 7 am to 11:30 am today

and Rich was tied up so they came to spend the night with us.

After church all the kids and grandkids came over for a

barbeque. Betty always sends us $$ at Christmas

(she is so sweet to do this! - but not necessary!)

so we always plan to do something together with the money.

A big steak barbeque seemed to be a great idea!

Yummy steaks, baked potato, corn on the cob, salad

fruit tray and ice cream cake from DQ!

Makes me want to eat again just to writing this!

The grandkids enjoyed giving their daddy's big flying discs

with their hand prints on the back. They

get so excited making things for their parents!

They even made one with everyone's hand prints for

Uncle Steve - they all LOVE Uncle Steve!

They also enjoyed some time playing in the sprinker!

Always love to get wet!

Will hopefully get some pictures posted when our

"photographer" Michelle sends them!

Happy Father's Day everyone!

Looking forward

We are looking forward to a nice weekend!

Will begin on Saturday with a quick visit to Randazzo's to

pick up a few things for a barbeque on Sunday

and then will be heading out to the Tiger game on Saturday afternoon.

Saturday evening Kari and Megan will come to spend the

night - Richard will be out of the country again on

business and Kari will be working early on Sunday morning.

Hooray - Megan will get to go to church with us!

Then the whole crew will be over to celebrate

June birthdays (there are 4!) and Father's Day.

We will grill and play in the backyard!

We have bubble guns for the 3 little one to enjoy too.

Will have some pictures by Sunday evening!

And the verdict is....

Guilty on 5 counts

Not guilty on 2 counts

Russ is very glad that this experience is over -

and hopes not to get to do it again anytime soon!

Make a difference in someone's life -

sounds like Russ and the rest of the jury just made

a difference in this guy's life.

Maybe 10 to 20 years of difference.

Unfortunately this will clean up an area of illegal drugs/guns only

until someone new comes in to "set up store".

Jury Duty...Again

Not for me - for Russ!

He has served his "days in waiting" for jury selection

a few times before. Once he served on a jury

for a murder trial. How his name keeps coming

up - who knows!

Not the best time for him to serve - this is his very busy time

at work plus he has people off on vacation too.

So today he got to do the "waiting" thing again. By late afternoon

he thought he had wasted a day but it was almost over.

Almost....and then he was chosen to sit on

a jury for a trial that will begin tomorrow.

Hopefully it will be a quick one!

I was called to do the "waiting" thing once - 28 years ago!

I called before going to ask them if they had a room

for me to nurse in since I had a newborn.

They told me not to worry they

would call me back another time. By the time Oakland County

called me back I was living in Macomb County

and so was listed as unable to serve.

Selfishly I can say I am so glad they called him and not me!

Happy Birthday to me - Yesterday!

Yes, yesterday was my birthday - the 57th one to be exact!

We do our June birthdays along with

Father's Day for our big celebrations.

But for the past few days I had so many phone calls,

cards in the mail and on email,

and visitors too!

Went to lunch and a little shopping with

Kari and Megan and then

Karsten and Kim came by after work.

Russ and I went out to dinner in the evening.

And then the highlight to the day -

I took the grill apart to get all the grease

out so it would not catch fire for the

barbeque for Sunday!

Nothing more humbling than cleaning a greasy grill!

;-) ;-)

Actually have to say that yesterday was my second

hardest birthday -

the first being the one right after my mom died

and the second yesterday being the first one after losing my dad.

Sharing the day with the ones that "birthed you" is something

special - and that won't be happening anymore.

Ohhhh, didn't mean for this to sound sad!

But, remembering those special times makes me even more

determined to always celebrate the day I birthed

my kids - what special days those were!

Someone told me once that they don't celebrate

their kids birthdays any more - after all they

are over 18 and not children anymore.

Bah, Humbug - God changed my life

forever on April 12, February 20, April 27 and June 3

and I plan to celebrate those gifts as long as

God gives me breath!

And thanks to so many of you who sent birthday thoughts, prayers and wishes!

Surprise 30th Birthday for Rich

This will be a birthday that Rich will not forget! He went out shooting clay targets with some friends and when he came into

the club house afterwards there we all were to greet him with Happy Birthdays!

Rich is not big on surprises and couldn't believe that this happened to him - but he was a good sport! We enjoyed a great lunch at Hunter's Creek Hunt Club (where Rich is a member) - pheasant ala king (wow was that good!), fresh lake perch and prime rib. And then a yummy cake from Blooming Bakery.

Rich's dad, Robert, decided to take the little ones out onto the dock to fish. Megan got to reel the first one in - and even tried to hold the fish! Karsten had a turn and kept yelling Wow!! Then it was Parker's turn. These kiddies had a great time out there! Megan came back with a little "fish" on her dress, Karsten found a puddle to stomp in and Parker too had fish and mud on him.

We again had hot, muggy weather - perfect for a storm to form. And like the past few days a storm did form! We had all gone home by then (hit very quickly at Michelle's where we were - we actually went to the basement!) but Kari & Rich were still at the club. Boats were washed out into the lake, awning over the patio was brought down along with many trees. Yikes!

Like I said - it will be a birthday he doesn't forget!

Happy Birthday Rich!!

Happy Birthday Kari!

Happy Birthday Kari!

It has been so exciting to watch you the past few

years - you are a great mom, wife, sister & daughter!

We have always had the family chatter about

how perfect Kari was - and as a little one

we sure didn't have to do much correcting.

Steve likes to remind us that we just didn't

see everything that was going on - and

I am finding he may have been right!

So today is for Steve -

Kari admitted eating the arms off your GI Joes!!

We had no idea!! She is sure that maybe you

pulled the heads off her Barbies first - but

she said she did actually swallow those arms

so you couldn't get them back!

EWWWWWW!!!

But the good thing is - no matter what

you did, or what you do ---

our love for you is forever!

Today Kari will go for another ultra sound to

take a peek at her second daughter.

First child, middle child, last child -

I know you have already found that

it does not matter - you love them

all the same!

Happy Birthday - we love you!

Where to start....

This has been a crazy week with the grandchildren

and sickness! All four of them have had colds and/or

ear infections and/or allergy symptoms and/or a virus. Poor things!

We found that Sydney's body thinks her virus is

an allergen and so has been having allergic reactions to that!

Megan had nice cold symptoms on Saturday - coughing,

sneezing and running nose. We decided to take her to a restaurant

for dinner up in St. Clair. Bad idea she thought - and cried and

screamed until we agreed with her. We did finally get out to

dinner - at KFC and she thought that was a great idea! ;-)

Today Sydney was actually inadvertantly given something

that she is very allergic to - milk. She did not get more

than 1/2 teaspoon and that was all it took. Her body

immediately realized it was a poison to her and she began

to throw up. Lots! Michelle had to administer the

epi-pen and then they all headed off to the hospital.

Scarry!!! But in the end no other treatment was needed

since her body did such a good job of ridding itself of the milk.

Michelle and Mark are more careful with these allergies

than anyone I have ever seen. God certainly

had His protective arms around them today and they were able

to do what had to be done and get her to the hospital.

Sydney did tell us that Mommy had poked her and she didn't

like it. Tonight as Michelle put her to bed Sydney told her

that she was scared today at the hospital.

The Patterson Clan has never been faced with so many

"bumps in life"

as we have in the past year!

Believe me - you don't want me spelling out all the stuff

but I do have to say that God has been there for us

through every step of the way!

He is Good!

Russ' Classmates

In 2002 we began having an annual picnic with

some folks that Russ attended 6th grade with.

This year it was held at our house.

Due to many circumstances, this

year we had less people than before.

But, no matter the size of the group,

we had a great time of fellowship,

laughter and food.

These are the classmates:

Leonard, Melodye, Russ & Pam




And these are the spouses:
Steve, Karla, John and Janet.

Maybe next year we will have more people -

but no way could we have more fun!

God willing, we will all meet in September -

maybe at Mackinac Island again.

Memorial Day 2008

Memorial Day 2008

Bay Pines National Cemetery

Florida

Here are a couple of pictures taken where my parents

are buried. Had to get this posted today -

a Boy Scout troop puts out flags for

Memorial Day each year and another

troop will come to collect the flags a few

days later.

We give thanks to the service men

and women who served and do serve

our country.

They certainly do make a difference

in all our lives!

Friday's stuff!

Well, the good news it that Kari was able

to come home from the hospital late yesterday.

They had to do another ultra sound to be

sure there was enough amniotic fluid.

Last pregnancy that was low - and it is low with this one too.

But at least she is home to recoup and rest some -

until Monday when she is supposed to work again.

Rich has left for his bear hunt.

We will be hosting a group that Russ attended

6th grade with on Sunday afternoon. Now

6th grade for Russ was a long time ago!

These Memorial Sunday picnics started in 2002.

We have had folks from the UP and as far away as TN come.

This is the first year that it will be held at our house.

Lots of things to do before "company" arrives though!

haha

Hope you all have a great weekend!

When will this slow down???

Kari was back in the hospital this morning to have

that stent in her kidney removed and replaced.

They were able to do that and then she began having nice

labor contractions every 2 to 3 minutes - for about 5 hours!

They finally got those stopped but decided to keep her overnight to keep a

watch on the baby - who had a few d-cells (maybe she doesn't

like being squeezed!) Baby is in the 2 pound range

now - so we sure do not want to meet her yet!

Please pray that Kari can get some much needed rest and relaxation

before the "real" thing begins!

Rich will be leaving for a bear hunt in Canada Friday if all

goes well with Kari and baby.

Megan just rolls with the flow - she's enjoying spending a couple

of nights with Grandma & Grandpa. We called Kari

today and Megan took the phone and told Kari that she

was in the hospital and hope you feel better and did

you get my baby sister yet? She is so cute!

Hugs to all of you - and many thanks for the prayers for Kari and Baby!

A big praise report!

Many of you have joined us in prayer

for Sydney, Karsten and Kaitlyn's babysitter,

Erica.

The big praise is -

not only is she feeling better but

she is back to work!!

Everyone was excited to see her this morning -

and she was glad to get back to them too!

Praise God!

ps - trying a new color again, we will see if it loads up correctly next time I post a picture!

It's A New Day!

It's a new day -

but back to the old green layout!

Had several people tell me that the beginning

of my blog was not coming up right away.

Will have to figure out what was happening!

Have a great one!

Mother's Day Pics

A great Mother's Day!

Here I am with my 4 wonderful kids!

Kari, Michelle, me, Kim & Steve

Here is Russ with Kaitlyn, Karsten, Megan & Sydney.

Red eyes not fixed and a little blurry -

but they were willing to sit still for a quick photo!

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all!

We are looking forward to a great day with family.

We will start as usual with church at 9:15 a.m.

Instead of our usual routine of going to Romeo Restaurant for breakfast

we will head home - the kids will arrive between 11 & 12.

We will have a simple barbeque of hot dogs and hamburgers

with all the trimmings.

There is nothing better than spending the day with loved ones!

On a side note - our neighbor, Peg, is now a Grandma!

Her daughter, Nicole, gave birth this morning to a girl -

Lily Kathleen

7 pounds 12 ounces

21 inches

lots of dark hair (like Daddy Adam)

We have known Nicole since she was in 8th grade and moved in

next door when Peg married our neighbor Chuck.

Nicole even worked for us for awhile too while in school.

Hooray for Motherhood!

Off and Running...

We are off and running today -

headed to Alabama to see Russ' parents and family.

It will be a quick trip since this is the big start to the busy season

at work. Will return by Monday evening.

No internet access at his parents house,

our cell phones will not work there

and I did not renew the connection for the satellite radio

in my car (Poor Russ!).

We are praying for a quick and easy trip - especially for my knee!!

Also praying for an easy work day today for Kari! She is having

problems with that stent in her kidney - lotsa pain if she moves at all!

Make a difference - and check in with you soon!