Holiday fun and such

We spent Thanksgiving at the Griesbecks, which meant Gray got to be with all of his boy cousins (Adam's cousins' kids), and he was super psyched of course. They played football, ran around like hooligans, and terrorized the girls. In summary, a good time was had by all.

On Black Friday, we headed to Nashville for a weekend of holiday fun at the Opryland Resort. The kids and I had never been and it truly was a magical experience for all of us. We visited the "Rudolph" ICE! Exhibit, saw "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas" musical, snow tubed, threw snowballs at Santa, did an Elf on the Shelf scavenger hunt, admired the decorations, and the kids favorite, ice skating! I thought for sure that they'd do one round and complain of being frozen, tired, and bored, but we couldn't get them off the rink! We even stopped at the Loveless Cafe for their famous biscuits on the way home. It was a fun and memorable weekend!

We blinked and it was Christmas.....here are some of our favorite memories!

Gray as a shepherd at St. Patrick's Christmas pageant

Hayes as an angel at St. Patrick's Christmas pageant

Hayes walked with her Brownie troop in the Germantown Christmas parade

Kimbrough Woods "Cookies with Santa"

Kimbrough Woods luminaries an carriage rides

Pink Palace Enchanted Forest

Ice skating at the MidSouth Ice House with friends

Seeing the Peabody ducks with the family

Bass Pro Shop Winter Wonderland - Greer and Hayes

We had a nice dinner out to celebrate the Olivier Christmas

Our family on Christmas Eve

Pop reading "The Cajun Night Before Christmas" to us 

Christmas morning with the Pattersons

We wrapped up 2016 with dinner at the Umsteds with the Beasleys and had a fun night of games, good food, and great friendship. It was just what we needed to launch into 2017!

Until 2017,

The Pattersons

Falling into place

Before we knew it, the temps were cooling off and Fall had kicked into high gear. Gray began playing competitive soccer, Hayes was cheering for the GFL Seahawks and was also continuing with her dance and rec soccer.

Finalists at their first competitive tournament

Five goals in one game!

Best Cheer at Cheer-off

For Fall break, we headed back to Puerto Aventuras, Mexico for our 4th trip and it did not disappoint once again!  We relaxed by the pool, drank fruity drinks, slept in the hammocks, read books, paddleboarded, and ate ridiculously-delicious food prepared by the amazing Alberto.  Highlights included watching P paddleboard, enjoying the kids' reaction to the culture, the trip to Tulum with Pop and Gray, our day trip to the private beach, renting a golf cart and exploring with Pop, and celebrating Gray and Pop's birthdays at the end of the trip. I'm already dreaming of our next trip back!

Family pic at sunset on the balcony

Adam and I paddleboarding in the canal in front of the house

One of Alberto's famous dishes--cilantro lime grilled shrimp!

P did it! She paddleboarded!

Hanging out at the local market

Our day at Punto Venado--the private beach

Sipping fruity drinks with my girl at the Omni Resort

The ruins at Tulum with Gray and Pop

Pop and Gray celebrating their birthdays, which are 2 days apart

Looking for cereques with Pop

Pop enjoying a homemade churro in the hammock

 When we came back from paradise, it was time to celebrate Gray's birthday (again) with a sleepover with friends for our big 9 year old!

Now that he was 9, Gray was ready for his first communion and it was such a special experience at our new church, St. Patrick. Gray completed his prep course and interview and we were able to watch him take his vows in front of the entire congregation. It was a blessed and precious day for Gray as well as our whole family. I am so proud of the young man he is becoming!

And just like that it was Halloween! We had one very serious storm trooper who refused to take off his helmet, even though he was sweating profusely and fogging up so much he couldn't see, and a wedding cake that ripped her costume because her hoop skirt didn't cooperate when she ran house to house.

All in all, it was another memorable event with these crazy kiddos, but Adam and I enjoyed watching them make these memories. I have to remind myself that all too soon, they'll be too cool to dress up and I will miss these nights immensely.

Until next time,
The Pattersons

Squeezing the last bit out of summer

We finished out the summer with a bang! July 4th was another fun neighborhood celebration including a parade and cookout.  This is one of my all-time favorite holidays to celebrate in Kimbrough Woods and it is a great reminder of the charming neighborhood we've been blessed to live in over the last four years.

Welcoming the fire truck

Ready for the parade

Carrying the banner

Old-fashioned slip and slide fun

The kids were in art camp for the remainder of the week and as always, Gray was in his element.  He truly has an artist gift and while I'd love to claim it was from me, I seriously doubt it.  I can't wait to see how he develops it in the coming years.

P came in town to attend Hayes' spa birthday party.  The girls were draped in robes, made rag-tie flip flops, and enjoyed manis and pedis with cucumbers on their eyes! I think it's safe to say everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves ;)

Making rag-tie flip flops

Getting a pedicure

Cookie cake

Lots of friends to help celebrate

P, Lovie and Greer

The kids got to see their first Cirque du Soleil show....Ovo! Unbelievable and so, so beautiful!

And we spent the last week of our summer at the beach, which was an awesome chance to relax and refresh before the new school year started.  We went to an old favorite, Fort Morgan Beach Club, and the kids loved all of the activities, the pools, and of course, riding the waves! Our little history buff was super pumped to visit a real fort.....

When we got back, the kids dove head first into the 3rd grade (Gray) and 2nd grade (Hayes). Both got great teachers and each had a friend or two in their class, making for an easy transition.

We even got one last chance for fun in the sun with a trip to Heber Springs with our neighbors, the Westbrooks. I grew up near a bayou and Adam's parents had a lakehouse, but this was the first time our kids had ridden on a speed boat, gone tubing, or swam in a lake....it was a great weekend and I was proud of the kids for being brave!

Until next time,

The Patterson