Our first SNOW DAY

SNOW DAY!!!!!

Happy 11 Months Nellie

Nellie.. you were 11 months yesterday! Wow how time flies. I can't believe you are going to be 1 yr old in a matter of weeks! You are such a little nugget of joy. You've been sick and a little clingy these last few weeks, but I think you are finally feeling better. You are totally in love with your daddy right now (umm... why can you say daddy and not mommy!). You will actually choose him over me every once in awhile now which is so cute. You were at the doctor these other day for your sinus infection and you weighed in at 17.5!! You really are growing :)

You are a joy Nellie.... we love you so much.

Crazy Realization

I just realized that I am in charge of keeping 140 finger and toe nails trimmed! No wonder I feel like I am doing it all the time.

20 for me

80 for the kids

40 for the animals (these are the ones that get neglected... sorry grace)

Christmas Card Teaser

Here's a Christmas Card Preview. I can't say it's going to be this picture. and I have no idea what card, but I think I've got one in here from today's photo shoot that might be IT. This is picture #9... I've got almost 200 more to go through... but it looks promising so far.

Excuse ME!

THIS IS WHY I CAN'T DO ANYTHING ON THE COMPUTER NOW. PUNK-ASS TRUCKEE SITS RIGHT HERE WHENEVER I TRY TO TYPE!

updates

So many things have happened these last couple of weeks, I don't know where to start. I feel like I'm getting so backed up with updates that I don't have time to talk about all the funny/crazy/happy/sad happenings, thoughts and conversations going on in this nutty household. One day readers (if there are any of you left) I'm going to get back into my groove. A few highlights: Gregor, Nellie and I went to Philly for a wedding. Hudson, Larkin and Brooke had successful sleepovers (YAY... this may open up a whole new world of opportunities for us), and we had a good time at the wedding of friends we've known for 10 years or so. Things could have worked out better (Gregor forgot Nellie's suitcase with EVERYTHING in, Nellie didn't sleep at all the night we stayed over, Gregor had to circle the streets of Philly for almost 2 hours looking for a place to park when we got home from the wedding, Nellie broke a glass in the middle of the floor during the reception, etc etc), but even given all that we had a few highs as well. We only had one kid which was so nice, we had a stress free drive where Gregor and I actually got to talk to each other, we made it together to a wedding for the first time in a long long time (besides my sister's), and we had a great breakfast with friends in Philly. All in all ... good times.

We drove up to New Paltz, NY for thanksgiving to see Gregor's parents, Uncle Lucas, and Aunt Birdie. Lots and Lots of chaotic fun there. It was cold and a little wet, but perfect weather to make it feel like the holidays. The kids had fun...big thanks to aunt birdie who kept the kids entertained with animals and crafts.


These pictures are from New York... I love the faces. I have a ton more... maybe I'll try to put them up as a slide show or something.

One hilarious conversation between Uncle Lucas and Hudson in the car on the way to the movies:
Lucas: Have you been naughty or nice hudson?
Hud: NICE
Lucas: What about Brooke.... Nellie.... Larkin... mommy... daddy... etc etc etc...
Hud: each time responded with "NICE"
Lucas: Is there anyone on the naughty list?
Hud: yeah, god
Lucas: Huh?!? what did you say.
Hud: god!
Lucas: god, now why is that?
Hud: Well, sometimes he gives us bad luck.

Umm... maybe I need to supervise the veggie tales intake for him for a little while. That said we've had quite a few conversations since then that have been more than a little challenging but fun. Gotta love the little brains and how they process.

We got home on Saturday which was fantastic because we spent all sunday unpacking and decorating for Christmas. I love the way the house feels during the christmas season... warm and festive and simply homey. I tried once again to get a picture of the the kids all together... still hoping for a christmas card photo... yeah, not yet. This is the best one I got. See the fuzzy blur in the lower left corner? That's Nellie's hair as she's crawling in my lap.
Saturday... that's my plan. I am going to get a christmas photo this saturday no matter what!
That's all for now... Nellie's been screaming for the last 15 minutes... I guess I shouldn't ignore her any longer.

Where's my Tooth?

I have so many things to catch up on with this blog... but I couldn't let this one go a day without posting! Hudson lost his first tooth last night! He was SO SO excited... apparently his was the only one in his class that hadn't already lost one, so now he's feels like his part of the crowd. The tooth fairy came last night can brought him a gold dollar coin!
Yay Hud!

10 Months..WHAAAAAAAT!

I know I know... Horrible picture! I can't help it... Nellie is on the move now and would not hold still for her 10 month photos today! I seriously did not get one single good picture. At least this one captures her energy now. I'm going to try again tomorrow. I can't believe my little baby is 10 months. I find myself saying that every month, but it really is true. I am so busy with the other kids that Nellie's little month anniversaries just seem to come so quickly! Nellie is definitely not a little baby anymore (well other than the fact that she is barely in the 10th percentile for weight and is only 16.5 lbs!). She's got 6 almost 7 teeth now... gets ticked off when I break her food into small pieces... wants big girl pieces of anything everyone else is having (particularly the brownies in our frozen yogurt), and is just so busy. She can't be bothered with little baby toys anymore, she wants Hudson's legos, Brooke's puzzles, and Larkin's magnetic dolls (all choking hazards that she really shouldn't play with). She adores Truckee and I swear says kitty cat. Nellie has this fantastic sense of humor and hasn't lost that huge belly laugh that just brightens my day when she does it. I'm going to try to get a video of that so I can listen to it on those days when I need a pick-me-up. Happy 10 months Nells!! xoxoxo

TRUCKEE

We've added a new addition to our family!!

Meet Truckee Patsch our 5 month old kitten. I don't know how it happened honestly... one minute we were wondering around on a Sunday wondering how to occupy our post-lunch pre-nap time and we ended up at the SPCA. We fell in love with this little guy who was very social and feisty and wasn't afraid of the kids including a screaming Nellie. He just seems like he wanted to come home with us. So, we went home and talked to Gregor about it and all decided we had to go back and get him today. Right now he's set up in our bathroom, but hopefully soon, he'll be free to roam the house and play with Gracie.

Welcome to the Patsch Family Truckee!! We hope you survive in this crazy place!

Happy Halloween!

Late as usual these days... but here are my Halloween kids. I had a bounty hunter from star wars, a strawberry fairy, a peacock fairy, and a little pumpkin for the night. We had a successful potluck block party in front of our house complete with a parade and twister. Kids from all over the neighborhood arrived (even some that I've never seen before) and I think everyone had a great Halloween! I'll be sad when the kids get to old for the easy trick or treating around our little loop. Right now, it's the perfect number of houses... and there is nothing better than walking the 'hood with the neighbors! Honestly, I think Hudson and Larkin enjoyed giving out the candy to the kids at the door more than actually knocking on the doors themselves. Nellie kept her pumpkin hat on much longer than I anticipated and I actually broke out a costume this year. All in all a Halloween success.