Kellen's Baptism!

Today we had Kellen's baptism. It was so beautiful! All the baptisms in my family have been a private ceremony, including Connor's. However, for Kellen we had his done during our 8:30 mass. It was beautiful and really nice to have the congregation help us welcome him to the church. My little sister Jeannie is Kellen's godmother and my brother-in-law Matt is his godfather. It was so special to have our family and friends there to help us celebrate. We had a reception at our house after. I was telling my mom on the phone this evening, I was feeling a little post-baptism blues. Another milestone for my child that has come and gone, always reminding me how fast our babies grow up. Another reminder to enjoy each passing minute we have with our children, our family. Because the moments, they really go by so fast, and you will never get them back.

Old Town Sherwood Christmas Tree!

Tonight we had the family over for some holiday cheer. Tomorrow is Kellen's baptism and so my little sister Jeannie and her family are coming down for the big day. Jeannie is Kellen's godmother. Sarah and Matt and the kiddos along with my parents all came over early and we walked down to the Christmas festival and tree lighting ceremony in Sherwood. We bundled the kids up and stuffed them into wagons and strollers and headed to old town. We missed the actual tree lighting, and most of the festival for that matter. But we had so much fun. Santa and Mrs. Clause were still hanging around, the tree was beautiful, and we got free cookies. After the kids were completely frozen, we walked back home to have pizza and wait for Jeannie and Tyler and the gang to arrive from Bainbridge. Little brother Tom came over also to partake in some jubleale! Oh, and we celebrated Tyler's birthday too with chocolate cake!! Adorable mom and dad!

The adorable Mattecheck family!

Connor all fleeced out running through old town!

Ahh, the Patterson's finally arrived. Jeannie and a tired little Sam.

The chaos of our house!

Connor hanging with his "older" cousins on the couch watching Rudlolph on TV. This picture is a classic!!!!

Christmas Photo outtakes!

Okay, trying to get the kiddos to pose for our Christmas card was a little tricky to say the least. Here are a few outtakes. I think they speak for themselves....

So much to be Thankful for!

Thanksgiving at mom and dads! Nothing like it! This year my two sisters and older brother spent thanksgiving with their significant other's families, but my little brother and Don and I were there! Also in attendence was my dear childhood friend Annie and her family. She has 4 beautiful children. Their newest, Viola, was adopted from Ethiopa and was brought home to Oregon in September. She turned one Oct 28th! It was a true blessing to spend her first Thanksgiving with her. Don's mom also made it to our Thanksgiving table, making the table complete! We had so much food and we just had a fabulous time catching up. I looked around the table and realized how blessed I am to have an enormous wondeful family, and dear friends to surround myself with. This year Don and I were blessed with another healthy baby boy! Little Kellen Patrick is pure joy wrapped in a tiny package! Our family is healthy, we are happy. Yes, so much to be thankful for!

Sheila, aka Maimo!

Dad and his beer!

Mom posing with the cranberries!

Mom and Viola! Look at that face!

Tom - Jubilant because he has a coffee nudge in hand, and because the Broncos are beating my Giants... Harummpf!

The kiddos playing!

More playing!

Kara and baby Kate come for a visit!

Kara with her baby Kate and Tasha's oldest daughter Ava.


One of my dear friends Kara whom I went to University of Portland with and we also studied in Salzburg together, married a Spaniard and moved to the beautiful San Sebastian to be with him - WHATEVER! Now we only get to see her about once a year! But we try to make the most of it when she comes to town. She just had a baby Kate in July, about a week before Kellen. She had to leave her darling husband Iker and their adorable almost 3 year old Ander at home! We all gathered at Tasha's house in NE for some soup, salad, wine and CHOCOLATE! It was a fabulous time! Oh, I almost forgot to mention Frank Galluzzo's (Kara's dad) awesome swedish meatballs!!!!! It was so great to see her, and so sad to see her go. She probably won't be back until next August.... Sigh.

My mom is 60! Holy Crow!!!!!

So my mom is 60, wow! So cool. The siblings and I have been planning a surprise party for her at the coast for several months now. We had several "planning" sessions which involved food, yummy drinks, oh and some planning too. We finally pulled it off last weekend. My dad drove my mom to the coast and when they arrived at the beach house "Surprise" we all jumped out at her from every nook and cranny. In retrospect, seeing as how she is 60, we probably shouldn't have startled her so much. But she survived and the weekend was a huge hit complete with a slide show on Friday night and a skit of all of our favorite memories on Saturday night. It was a fabulous weekend and I think my mom really enjoyed it. I realized when I got home that I didn't take as many pictures as I thought.... I think we actually took more video with out new FLIP. But here is what we took.

Little Stinker!

This is how I often find the diapers in the nursery! This usually happens while I am nursing Kellen. But how can you be mad at the little guy. He is just too cute.

Just organizing mom!

Little Stinker!