Walk to the Park

I took the boys for a walk to the pond and park. We actually had an evening where it wasn't too hot and no mosquitos.

Yes, that is Josh hanging from the monkey bars. He can complete the monkey bars now with very little help. He is such a dare devil, I don't know what I am going to do with this kid! Any suggestions?

Trip to West End with Papa and Ma Patton

Papa and Ma Patton (as Joshua says) were brave enough to take the boys on a road trip to West End on the Dart Light Rail last week. Jake and Josh were very excited to ride the train! The boys had so much fun and Jake still talks about the train ride.


They even took the boys to Spaghetti Warehouse to eat spaghetti. They mentioned that Joshua may have been a little spirited during lunch, but still had a great time!

Happy Birthday Carter!

We attended Carter's birthday party today. The boys had fun playing games and especially eating cake.

Tacky meets Joshua up close and personal

On Easter 2006, we gave a fish to Jacob and Joshua. Jake was allowed to name the fish and quickly replied, "He will be called Tacky the Fish." We all agreed that we would be lucky if Tacky was around more than a few months. Month after month we surprised ourselves as he became part of the family. Now 15 months have passed and Tacky experienced his most traumatic day in the Patton household. Josh decided he wanted a closer look at his favorite fish, Tacky. He pulled a sand bucket over to the counter and stood on top of it admiring Tacky's swimming skills. The next thing we know the fish bowl comes crashing to the floor with Tacky landing on the carpet. In a mad panic Jill got a new bowl and began to prep it so Tacky could survive in it. Unfortunately, Jacob was there to witness the whole event and seemed a little shook up as Jill prepared him for the worst. As the minutes passed, we thought Tacky was not going to make it and finally the bowl was ready to place him in it. We placed him in the bowl and we are thrilled to say he is still alive!! Jill believes she is a doctor now and stated, "I think the next 24-48 hours will be critical, with all the stress he encountered." Also, Grandma KayKay says he may have encountered some brain damage. Mike says that we should just let him be, since there is nothing we can do and check him out once a day. We will keep you updated on his progress. Josh had a smirk on his face the whole time until he was sent to his room. Tacky, welcome to Josh's world.

Riviera Maya, Mexico

We recently returned from our vacation in Mexico just outside of Cancun. Thanks Great Grandpa for this awesome trip to visit with family and enjoy watching the boys swim and play on the beach. I don't think we have seen the boys have more fun than they had last week. Every day they woke up and were jumping up and down to go into the pool and play at the beach. I think the best time we had was watching the boys play on the beach in the evening, the carasouel, and watching the boys dance on stage every night at the theatre. There are several more pictures in our My Photo Album.

Happy Birthday Grandpa!

Jacob & Joshua enjoyed swimming and playing at Grandma & Grandpa's. Josh also had some fun eating his slice(s) of cake & Jacob's too.

Vacation Bible School

Well, we survived a week at VBS. Despite being very exhausted and going to bed at 9:00 every night,we had a very exciting week. 1,000 kids attend VBS this year and I was a rotation guide for a Kindergarten group. I had 19 kids in my class. All of the kids had such a blast and it was neat to see them sing songs, memorize bible verses and learn about God. There were a few touching moments throughout the week.

There was a little boy in my group that had never stepped foot in a church. They basically said that he is a latch-key kid and much of the time wonders around the neighborhood. His parents are non-believers and refused to take him to church or VBS. His neighbors pleaded with the parents for him to come to VBS and with much reluctance the parents agreed. The neighbors picked him up each morning and took him to and from VBS. He had a great time and it gave me so much joy to see him hear the word of God for the first time, sing songs and memorize bible verses.

Later on in the week, one of our youth ministers talked to the kids during recreation. At the end he had them bow their heads and raise their hands if today was the first time that they understood the message and trusted in the Lord. Many kids raised their hands and I was a little skeptical that at 6 years old they really knew what they were raising their hands for. We talked to all the parents of the kids who raised their hands and let them know in case they wanted to talk to them that night about why they raised their hands. Later that night one of the moms called a parent and they had talked to their child and said that their child did understood why they raised their hand and they truly felt they trusted the lord for the first time that day. It is amazing to see kids that young say they trust in the Lord and actually comprehend.

Friday morning when the boys and I were getting ready to go to VBS for the last day, Jacob recited three of bible verses and hand motions that go with the verses he had learned throughout the week. It brings me such joy and tears to my eyes to see him learn and praise God!

Josh, of course, had the time of his life and they told me everyday that he is the life of the party and leader of the pack. His teachers said that he was at the front of the room helping with skits and getting his groove on during music!

More fun in the sun!

The boys have been playing at the sprayground everyday now that we have discovered it. They just can't seem to get enough. Grandma came over after church today and Joshua brought his swimsuit to her and made her put it over his clothes then ran to the door. I'm sure it will get old after our trip to Cancun! As you can see there are not many pictures of Jake. After 4 years taking pictures of EVERYTHING he does, Jake is over me taking pictures of him. Most of the pictures I take of him these days are of his back or him hiding under covers. Or my personal favorite funny faces and tongues sticking out instead of a smile.

Visit from Uncle Nelson and Aunt Sandy

Uncle Nelson and Aunt Sandy came in town from Ohio. The boys had such a blast playing with them. I told Jacob that they were coming over again today and he said they were super cool! It is always nice to see our Ohio family.We are looking forward to seeing everyone in Ohio in October. The boys had a chance this weekend to play with their slip-n-slide they received from the Easter bunny. We also were able to splash around in the sprayground near our house. It just opened after being built over a year ago. They haven't been able to start it due to our water restriction in Frisco. Thanks for visiting Sandy and Nelson, we love you!

Green

It has been challange to work in the yard with all the rain we have experienced lately. On the bright side, the grass is greener than it has ever been since we moved here in 2001. You may not be able to tell in these pictures, but it was a bright orangish color outside at 8:35pm this evening.

Relaxing Weekend

The boys spent the weekend at Grandma and Grandpa Dentons. They had a great time and now I am sure G & G are exhausted. It rained all weekend so the boys spent most of the time in the mud. They had such a blast chasing lightning bugs and riding on Grandpa's new tractor. Thanks Grandma & Grandpa for a much needed R & R. Lets do it again soon : )

Happy Birthday Grandma!

We celebrated Grandma Patton's birthday today. We had great time! Happy Birthday Grandma!