Just Cammy and Jed

Remembering how to be Cammy and Jed.

Sometimes that's nice.

We sneaked away and went rafting. 

This was a special gift from my parents in honor of my birthday and The Beloved receiving his Masters of Fine Arts. 

The smile on our faces says it all.

So Not on the Ball in this Department

And am glad someone is teaching her how to floss.

#webredavillagebecauseittakesavillage

Fit One Family

About two months ago we had this great idea to run the Fit One 5K Race as a family, because, "what could be better than that?" the parents thought. And the kids thought, "lots of things" :).

But they didn't get their way, so, in the evenings, about the time people usually put their kiddos in bed, you'd see the Patton's running around outside preparing for race day. At one point Moo and Lou began talking about how when they grow up they're going to be competitive runners. Ruckus on the other hand was like - you're cray, cray and I never, ever want that to be my job, but he kept on running.  

Our kids mostly did terrific. Moo could have ran for hours and not one complaint was heard from his little five year old mouth. Ruckus' legs hurt, he had to pee, was hungry, too hot, too tired, but he finished the race and even smiled a few times. The first 10 minutes were death for Lou and he was in a fierce whining competition with Ruckus, which was an amazing opportunity for me to practice my patience, but he kept on keeping on. Little C is a natural at long distance running and the cheerleaders on the sidelines didn't bother him one bit. Sweetrotten and the baby rode in the stroller pushed by The Beloved and were the first of our bunch to cross the finish line. Way to go ladies!

My parents cheered us all on and took some action shots for the blog! 

I love my family. I love my supportive parents. 

I'm the luckiest.  

Of course we were running late and had to run to the starting line.

The Beloved and the girls.

Look at Ruckus enduring behind me! This makes me proud.

Woohoo!!! Moo, Lou and I having a ball!

Sweetrotten enjoying the after-party.

Little C and The Baby

The Beloved and Lou playing

Love this guy.

My Babies!

We did it!!!

And There She Waits.

Crawling to this exact spot many times a day. Watching. 

Awaiting the moment her favorite people run past.

Oh to be big. 

Sometimes You Just Need to Find Cokes and Roses on the Stairs.

 It was one of those super desirable moments when you're holding a tired, cranky baby who you can't lay down yet because she needs her pants changed, but you're on the phone with the doctor's office trying to figure out which immunizations six different little humans have received (they were mega impressed with my record keeping skills... right...) so you can schedule the proper appointments before the new school year begins, and then you discover your seven year old happily filling up the bath for his two younger siblings (which is soooo against the rules) because of an earlier comment you made where you declared they looked like orphan children and something must be done about it. You test the temperature of the water and realize it's freezing cold, your eyes scolding your 3rd male offspring as you adjust the hot/cold levers. Your involvement sends him into a "kill your ear drums" rant and as you leave the room your 5 year old secretly shuts off the water because he feels like the tub is full enough and the temperature is fine. He proceeds to climb in and the toddler curses begin flowing from his mouth as his buns threaten to freeze off. You're not 100% sure what you've been saying to the nurse for the last five minutes as you turn to adjust the levers on the bath once again. The baby keeps reminding you she's unhappy and the two year old freaks when she has to wait for you to change her poopy diaper before she can hop in the bath with her brother. Tears are flowing everywhere and you're sure the nurse is super impressed with the goings-on in your home.And don't forget the eight year old. That sweet boy who must be involved in e.v.e.r.y. conversation and keeps asking you who you're talking to, why you're talking to them, and any follow up questions he feels may be necessary despite your constant shushing.

The bath water is finally comfortable.

The girl's diapers are changed.

The phone call has ended.

Your husband walks up the stairs, just returning home from work, and the words start flowing from your mouth about how utterly fantastic the last twenty minutes of your life has been. What the world just happened? You feel bad though. You feel you should buck up. That it's your anniversary and he doesn't need to hear how you need a moment to regroup and maybe drive away in the car to drink a pop, alone, with the sweet companion of quiet. He asks, "what do you need me to do?" You give him the short list, turn to walk  down the stairs, and find this -

Cokes and roses on every step,

leading to a beautiful bouquet on the kitchen island. 

And you want to cry, but you're not a crier.

And you're so happy he chose you.

And that you chose him.

Because this guy -

gets you.

Loves you.

Likes you.

Makes you crazy.

Puts up with your crazy.

And his late mixed with your late, makes you late to church every Sunday which somehow makes you feel like you're perfect for each other.

He's your best friend.

Love your guts dear!

Happy 11th Anniversary.

Thanks for holding my hand last night when we went on our walk that was really supposed to be a run. You're my favorite.

On our anniversary dinner date we took pictures of each other taking pictures of each other. Weird. 

P.S. Here are a couple of our birthday photos. For the Beloved's birthday we talked him into going to Roaring Springs in 75 degree weather, he wasn't the happiest. Sorry dog. And for my birthday we went to my favorite Mexican restaurant Casa Mexico  and I did homework, which sounds lame, but was pretty low key and perfect.

See, he's super happy to be here. :)

Don't miss  Lou's little head hiding in the background.
I love my family and I'm pretty sure Ruckus loves us even though he looks pretty miserable and that Little C isn't trying to do the "smolder" in my b-day picture.

Ruckus and Moo's Party!

When we started planning Moo and Ruckus' birthday party I was nervous no one would show up. They really hadn't had time to make friends in our new area and we now lived about 30 minutes away from all of their old friends. So, I sent out invitations galore, desperately hoping and praying we'd have a good turn out. And... everyone came. Every. Single. Person. It was perfect. I had miraculously purchased exactly enough party favors for each child in attendance, including my own. Tender mercies are real my friends. Thank you dear mothers and fathers who traveled that inconvenient distance to honor my children at their birthday party, you answered my prayer. Thank you to the people in my new ward who bought a gift and encouraged your children to participate, even though you probably had no clue who the Pattons were. You too, answered my prayer. 

The Party was a hit! We played a game called the Human Pinata which is kind of like freeze tag, except everyone is "it" except for one person. And that lucky guy was The Beloved. The only way he could become unfrozen was to reach in his overfilled backpack and throw out gobs of candy. 25 children chased him around the backyard and had their fill of sweets that day. We then puts the kids into groups and gave each one of them a skit bag filled with props. They had 10 minutes to put together an act and then they performed it for the group. This was priceless. I wish I would have recorded the whole things. A lot of the plays had deeper meanings attached. Wow. Smarty Pants. The whole lot of them. P.S. It was a dress up party because who doesn't love that?

The Human Pinata:

There's Ruckus in his Venom costume.

Tank dressed up as a Transformer and of course is wearing his orange boots.

Run!!!

He's cornered.

Skits:

Opening Presents:

Ruckus with Wren - his number one gal.

Happy Birthday Boys! We sure love you!!!