Patricia Jo - Yesterday and Today

Yesterday was Patty's Birthday!

Patty is a very important part of this large family.

And an even more important part of this smaller large family.

I wrote about Patty here:  2011, 2012, 2014, 2015.  These posts tell you a lot about her over the years but now I'm going to talk about Patty in the past year and the present.

She has always been and still is athletic - keeping herself in great shape through the years.

She has always loved animals and it's obvious from this picture that the feeling is mutual.

She's a devoted and loving mother.

And wife

This year, Patty's oldest son became an Eagle Scout.  Not only did she plan and organize his reception but she worked hard to make sure everything was perfect.

And this year her husband ended his Battalion Command.

During this momentous ceremony, Patty was there with love and support.

And this year Patty had to be even more super organized than usual because for a good part of the year, Dave has only been able to be home on weekends.  

This year Patty has worked a lot with David helping him apply for college next year.

 And she's continued to work long hours as an Assistant Principal.

She's spent many weekends out of town for volleyball tournaments with Katie and David.  Tournament locations this year include Richmond, Denver, Newport News, various Maryland locations, Indianapolis, Philadelphia, Orlando, and Pittsburgh.

She and the family vacationed in Myrtle Beach last summer.  (Of course this is not Myrtle Beach but it is near water and I know Patty loves being near water.)

And they visited Orlando

Before heading to Gulf Shores for the family Christmas vacation.

So that about sums up Patty's year.  We're proud that she is so competent and so efficient and such a wonderful mother and wife.  She's also a valued and loved family member - always willing to help and ,oh so popular, with all her nieces and nephews.  She fits right in as a sister and a daughter and we're proud and happy that she's part of our family.  Happy Birthday, Patty!  It's a little late but it's heartfelt and we're hoping the coming year is perfect!

Wade Christopher - Yesterday and Today

Today is Wade's 3rd birthday!  Wade is our fourth great grandchild and our 3rd great grandson.

He's an important part of this large family.

And an important part of this large but smaller family.

And an even more important part of this small but large family.

Here is Wade 'through the years'.  

I wrote about Wade when he was born here.  And again in 2014 and in 2015 so that covers a lot of his background.  Now I'm going to write about Wade in the past year.

He's been very busy.  This year he proudly put away daytime diapers and his crib.  And he learned to ride a bike (with training wheels).  He loves water and he'll try anything.  He can hit a baseball and catch very well.

And he's a great singer and memorizes lyrics very quickly.  He's also a great dancer with more moves than most of us have as adults.  He loves the song Immortals from the movie Big Hero 6 which inspires the mood of his dances but the moves are all his.  Here are a few from the kids' Thanksgiving talent show.

And if there's something that's brand new to him, he takes a minute to think about it

 and then masters it.

Also this year he had his first visit to Gulf Shores and was in his first beach 'jump' shot

And had his first New Year's toast.

And there's more I have to add about Wade.  He's one of the smartest, sweetest little guys I've every known (and I've known lots of them).  He's quirky and fun and a real thinker.

The only thing wrong about Wade is that we don't get to see him nearly enough.  (Of course only every day would be enough.)  We're wishing him a very Happy Third Birthday and a year full of happiness and wonderful new experiences.