Winter work

We weren't far into the new year when we had our first snow day--a favorite for my kiddos! As has become our custom, we headed over to a neighbor's house once all the Dads headed into work, and we cozied up and ordered pizza and chatted while the kids played together in the snow. I'm not kidding when I say that Gray was outside from 7:30 am until almost 4 pm, only coming inside briefly to grab a bite of pizza!

With soccer on hiatus for the winter, Gray played futsol again and learned new skills while sharpening existing ones. Hayes, meanwhile, played on a basketball team and let me tell you---a year makes a HUGE difference! This girl is a defense queen! But she also made a free throw! 

I had been sick for the past two weeks, but I pulled through to attend the school's "Minute to Win It" Mother Daughter event, and I'm so glad I did. Hayes had a blast and it is always fun to spend some one-on-one time with my girl. I don't know where she gets her competitive streak! ;)

Gray competed in his first Destination Imagination competition, which he'd been preparing for for the last several months. I'm not exactly sure what it involves or what they did during the competition, but I do know that they placed in the top three and that they had a blast. Brainiacs unite!

Lastly, we celebrated Adam's mom's 65th birthday with a surprise party and I think it's safe to say it was a success.....Happy birthday, Linda! You make 65 look sensational!

Until next time,

The Patterson

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