A catch-up, ketchup, catsup post

Gob: I believe I told you I was going to be off for the holidays. It's Spring Break.

From one of my favourite shows.

Ah Spring Break. You are almost over. Although I'm grateful for Ryan's holiday schedule as a teacher, it often feels like you're just settling into holiday mode and then you are thrust back into your regular schedule. I know you're probably thinking "Stop whining." So I will.

Here's what we've been up to lately:

We had a lovely visit from my cousin (technically my dad's cousin, so I don't know what that makes us officially) Dave and his wife Marla and their great kids. They stayed the night before Grandpa's funeral and although it was for a sad occasion, it was great to get to know them better. The funny thing is, growing up and attending family reunions, I always imagined that Dave was much older than me. Now that gap in age, whatever it may actually be, seems smaller. It's funny how that changes as you grow. It was nice to watch the kids play together and Ryan even gave rides on his motorbike for those who were willing and big enough to wear the helmet.

This was the best we could do for a group photo of the kids at the funeral. At least all of their bodies are in the same picture. You can't really ask for more with a group like that!


The funeral service for Grandpa was as good as a funeral can be. There were lots of touching, funny and poignant stories shared about his life and it gave us all a chance to say goodbye and to be with friends and family. I was fortunate to be able to accompany Reed's musical number and was glad to offer that as a way to honour Grandpa. I appreciate the tenor of LDS funerals. The focus on the eternities doesn't belittle the grief and pain of separation, but they are not overly despondent.

Moving on to the regular spin of our lives...

Ryan and I got out for two big events at Rexall - a hockey game and a Muse/Silversun Pickups concert. First, the hockey game we were able to attend because a parent of one of Ryan's students couldn't use his tickets and offered them to us. Thanks to ever-ready babysitters (Aunt Nat & Uncle Trav), we were able to go and had a blast. Neither of us had sat that close before and although the Oilers lost, it was an exciting and pretty close game with the Ducks. The best part of the night? Us on the Jumbotron! Yeah that's right. We cheered and smiled and waved like all the other crazy people on there.



Then the Muse concert with Rob. We got him tickets (and used it as an excuse for us to go too) for his birthday. The opening band was so-so, but Muse was great. Of course they put on a huge light/laser show, but they played all our favourite songs and sounded great. Despite 8 drunk men in front of us who all took turns going to the bathroom every 2 minutes, a crazy dancing lady in the aisle and a Nazi usher, the night was super fun. Even being crowded into a stuffed LRT car on the way home was fun.

Here are links to two of my favourite Muse songs in case you don't know them:

Supermassive Black Hole

Starlight


Rob and I waiting for Muse to start.


Ryan and I doing our classic self-portrait with the stage in the background.


Frickin laser beams.


I think I'm addicted to group fitness classes at Spa Lady. It's good to get that off my chest. Well, to be more specific, step classes and more recently, free weights/barbell classes. Ryan now teases me that I'm a bodybuilder in training. Yeah - I think I lifted 30 pounds at the heaviest so don't get the wrong idea. I also had a great brunch/shopping trip with Kathy, spoke in Church, did our taxes and have gotten to know a great lady that's working with the missionaries in our ward.

The girls have loved having Dad home everyday and he's taken them out to the park, to play in the backyard, invited their friends over to play, conducted dance parties and is probably ready to get back to work now. :)

Madeline got a fun present from Aunt Nat & Uncle Travis. Magic powder to have a princess gelly bath. If you click on the picture you can see the texture of the water after we added the powder. She stayed in there for such a long time. It was definitely a hit.


We had a lovely afternoon at Aunt Sheila's house today for her annual Easter party. Pictures were taken by others so I don't have any to share but both girls have a pile of Easter loot to show for their efforts and it is always good to spend time with family.

Madeline taking after her dad. It's finally biking weather again!

Grandpa

Robert Steven Patterson, my grandpa, passed away suddenly this past Sunday morning. We got a call quite early in the day with the news. We spent the day with family, finding comfort in each other and in the idea of him being with Grandma again. Grandpa has always been this pillar of strength and unity in our family. I was always so proud to be a Patterson because so many people knew of him and thought highly of him. There were so many that had been helped and loved by him. It almost feels like our family is now missing those structural supports of Grandma and Grandpa. But I'm glad they are together again. We are grateful to have Janet in our lives and are grateful for her strength through all of this.

Grandpa taught me so much. Whether it was object lessons on fairness or patience, teasing and joking me out of grumpy moods, letting me borrow his car, teaching us how NOT to cheer at sports games, meeting him for lunch while I was going to school, him providing opportunities for growth through his "heavy" lectures, his patriarchal blessings, his steadfast example and encouragement to live life and to have fun - he always let us know that he was there and would be there to support us through anything.

I got to know him better through a project that he gave me last year. He had given many talks in the church over his years of service and I think he had handwritten 97% of them - in his beautiful script. After our last trip to Utah before Grandma passed away, I brought home a huge stack of papers and was privileged to go through and type them up. I had it reaffirmed to me that my Grandpa had great faith, loved jokes, loved my Grandma, loved our family and loved God. He rarely missed an opportunity to express those feelings. I will miss him very much.

Just your friendly neighbourhood blogger

This past little while has been a whirlwind. This is a catch up post on our regular comings and goings. So here goes.

I just love this picture of Claire sleeping. She's the ultimate sleeper. If she's tired, she sleeps, no matter where she is or what is going on around her.


We've had a lot of people over for various activities and I love having our house full of friends and family. We finally had our neighbours over and got to know them better, the missionaries stopped by for supper and encouragement, we met our new Home Teacher, my faithful visiting teachers stopped by with their fun kids, Francoise (the teacher that works with Ryan) and her lovely daughters came over for a crepe night, the birthday celebration for Mom/Rob/Nat/Maddie, and our Jethompton (Jensen/Thompson/Layton) extravaganza that I forgot to take pictures of (Eva, if you're reading this, email me the ones you took!). It's been a fun month so far.

I remember my Grandpa telling me, when he first learned of us buying a house, that we should always make it a place where friends and family would feel welcome and loved and I hope we can always do that, no matter how messy it may be at the time. :)

We're so lucky to live close to family. Natalie helps me with respite care every week and we've had help from every member of our family to watch the girls or give us support to do things. That has continued this month as well.

With Lisa's help the girls and I went swimming at Millenium Place again and had fun. Maddie consistently enjoys her Gymboree classes. Ryan took both girls to the Primary Easter party and they had a blast! We also took a quick trip to Calgary for Jessica (Ryan's cousin) and Dave's wedding reception. It was great to see everyone and the food and decorations were wonderful. The girls were very good travelers.

Madeline spent a lot of the night up on the stage, dancing to the music.


This was how the kids were most of the way home.



Claire's been busy at school. They had a nurse visit, a music class, a St. Patrick's day party with "real" gold, class pictures, and a fieldtrip to the grocery store which I got to tag along for. I think Madeline feels like she gets the short end of the stick having to stay home with me when Claire gets all these fun excursions. But we definitely took advantage of that spell of warm weather and even brought out the trampoline and the swings for a few days until our hopes of Spring were crushed yet again. But we did attend the open house for kindergarten and Claire met her teacher and saw her classroom. I think Madeline would almost be ready for kindergarten too - she fit right in there.

While I was on the field trip with Claire, Madeline had a special visit with Janet. They played, they read, they spent time together and she's been talking about it ever since. We're glad to have Janet in our lives.

I shall take this moment to say that I love Lisa. She's such a great part of our family now. We'll be sad to see our GRIT days come to an end. I rely on her so much for help, organization and overall good feelings about life. And luckily she's creative and involves us all in the process.




One major event that took place was Stephanie and Brandon's engagement! We're so excited and happy for them both. They will be getting married in August.


Ryan's had fun with his calling this month. He and the boys rocked out at the Variety/Talent show with a remake of Whole Wide World. Ryan's been very busy with work. He's had report cards due and his parent teacher interviews this week. We're definitely looking forward to having him home during Spring break, but I don't think it will really be much of a rest with all the things we have to do. It will be our "catch-up" week for sure.

I had an important milestone in my life. I attended my first Tupperware party at Lindsey's house which was a fun night out. It was nice to reconnect with some good friends from our old ward. I miss those girls! I also have been busy with Spa Lady classes, helping the missionaries with discussions, preschool meetings, preschool duty days and fieldtrips, choir and all the regular duties of life.

Here are the bulk of pictures from our giant birthday celebration. It was the last time we saw Grandpa and we're so glad that he and Janet were able to come and we could hug them and spend time with them then.

Part of the gang at the table, chowing down.


The kids at the small table. Steph, Maddie & Brandon. :)


Claire flashing that winning smile


Dad got Madeline some great books and here they are reading about the princesses.


And here's Steph reading Fancy Nancy to the rest of the kids on the couch.


Two manly men talking shop. Ryan & Greg


Janet and Grandpa


Maddie got spoiled and loved it. She was very appreciative though. We've kept all the cards people gave her up on the piano and she's taken them all down everyday since to "read" them.


The other birthday kids, Rob and Nat.


Madeline is serious about rocking out. She got some great gifts.


Madeline had 2 cakes to put candles on, but she insisted on having her candle in Great-Grandpa's famous nanaimo squares.


She then proceeded to enjoy the spoils.


Claire took a turn at rocking out.


We also had a second little impromptu party for Madeline. Here we are goofing off at the table with our shish kabob feast.


The candle blowing preparation.


Maddie and her new favourite movie. Thanks Auntie Val!


Her new favourite books. Thanks Justin!


Our impromptu party turned into a dance party. Maddie and Grandma


We broke out the instruments Ryan had borrowed from the school for his talent show and everyone was having a lot of fun.


Maddie dancing with Dad (aka Ryan). I love this picture!


Just a note about our dear little Madeline. She is such a special part of our family. She came to us at a time when we were really struggling with Claire's disabilities and what that might mean for us and we've been able to watch them both grow together. Maddie is a great example, a wonderful helper, a deep thinker, a sweetheart, a ballet dance extraordinaire and a great friend to her sister. I am always interested to hear her stories and to know what she is thinking about. She's started interpreting what Claire wants now and for some reason, Claire ALWAYS wants to share her toys with Madeline. We have so many dance parties in our house, it's not even funny and Madeline usually is the instigator. I know that her strong personality should make things very interesting as she grows, but I cherish that strength in her and I think it will take her far. We love her so much.