Columbus Crew Game

So I am totally stealing this from Ashli...

Soccer Camp Registration with 1 Crew Ticket : $80

Two Extra Crew Tickets : $40
Popcorn, Soda, and Beer : $21
The Chance to Lead the Players on to the Field : PRICELESS
Gavin participated in the HOSA Soccer Camp this summer. As part of the camp, they were entitled to a ticket to the Columbus Crew Game where they could be part of the tunnel that the guys run through at the beginning of the game. We purchased extra tickets to be there with him and joined the Welshes for a nice night out. As we were standing in line, this lady came up to us and asked if Gavin and Nathan would be willing to walk some of the players onto the field! We were so excited (much more than I think they were - since they could not comprehend how cool of a thing that was). They were the first 2 onto the field (with the 2 captains for the other team) - but got to walk along side the Crews 2 captains also. Patrick was loosing his noodle over how cool it was! He was so proud that Gavin was hanging out with some of the guys who play on the US Soccer team! He made sure I included pics that showed just how close he was! And to top it off, our seats were perfect and the Crew won in extra minutes with an amazing header to secure first place position and to win the Trillium Cup. They also beat some MLS record for most unbeaten games at home. It was uber awesome! Click here and here to see more pictures.

I'll be back!

I have taken my annual summer hiatus from blogging but promise to be back soon :-)

Perfect example...

This is what I found this morning when I went downstairs. A handmade anniversary card from Patrick. Oh, how I love this man!

Happy Anniversary!

To my Love,

It is so hard for me to find human words to describe how much your love means to me. My love for you goes beyond the dictionary and it grows with the passing of each day, and each year.

You are still the first thing I think about in the morning (mainly because you have to get up at an un-Godly hour and STILL always kiss me goodbye) and the last thing I think about at night. When you are on-call, I lie in bed wishing so hard you were next to me. And when you are actually home, I love sensing you there; your scent, your shape, your sounds. I fall asleep praying for your well being and that you will feel the love that I do not express nearly enough.

From time to time we ask each other "Why do you love me?". I know I usually answer quickly and without a lot of thought. Loving you is so automatic now, so ingrained in who I am that I forget there was a time before you. These 4 years (actually 8) together have been more important than any other time in my life.

Why I love you comes to me in little reminders every day. The way you LOVE taking care of anything; from a broken bone, to the lawn, to making me breakfast every weekend you are home. It comes to me in your unquenchable thirst for knowledge and success in your career. It comes to me when I see you play with Gavin, and get teary eyed at his first lacrosse or soccer practice, or when I see you hug Evelyn, as if you feel her tiny hugs are getting bigger and you are afraid to let even one slip away. And our daily play together, quoting movies, tickling each other, and the occasional wrestling match reminds me of how important it is to frolic and how easy and natural it is for you to access that part of yourself.

Sometimes my love for your comes in the spectacular occasions where you always seem to shine. The bravery of saving people's lives, even childrens', at work. It's hearing your name announced (even a you carry 5 beers back from the bar) at the Med Ed graduation ceremony for a heroic act of saving a man from being suicidal - something that has nothing to do with broken bones, but has everything to do with the type of man you are. Generous, inventive, ridiculously silly and always at the perfect moments - larger than life pure fun.

Wherever our next adventures take us, I want you to know how deeply I love you, how happy I am just being with you and look forward to the lifetime of experiences we've yet to create. I could write another entire message about what a great dad you are - but that will have to wait until Sunday :-)

As we toasted when we got engaged..."Let's always be fun."

I Love you Babe!

Good Luck Guys!

Saturday, we had the opportunity to celebrate one last time with the graduating chiefs and their families. I helped plan an evening at the Greystone Wine Cellar (spectacular place btw) and we enjoyed the company of the chiefs, most of the residents and some attendings and their spouses as well. The party was a success and everyone had a great time! Good luck to Dan, Sam and Jeff as you continue your training in fellowships (Foot and ankle, sports medicine and hand, respectively). You will undoubtedly be great in your careers!!!!

Home Sweet Home

We are finally back after 3+ weeks at the beach! We had a wonderful time. Daddy got to stay with us for the 1st 10 days and we truly lived in the moment each day. We didn't even "count down" the days left with him, and all of a sudden, we were like "Oh - it's Sunday. Patrick is leaving today." The weather was great - not too hot, not too cold. Great pool temp, great wave temp. This year was so much better than last year since the kids were easier to manage. Gavin LOVED the waves and going in with Daddy for some wave jumping and Evie liked going just up to the edge without really going in. She also did not roam all over the beach like last year. This time, she stayed within a short radius and stayed right near us. Since it is still so early in the summer, we missed the vacation crowds and got the pool to ourselves most days, front row spots at the beach cabana, and prime time beach spots to sit.

We did all the typical things: beach, pool, mini golf (which was Gavin's favorite), ice cream, shopping, etc - but we also did some new things. We all went to the minor league baseball game, The Pelicans. It was Gavin's (and Evie's) first baseball game and Daddy was so excited to take us. We got great seats (too close to line drive foul balls for me though) and stayed until the 7th inning. It was kid's day - so there were other games for kids to play too. They also had a cool playground to play on.

We loved every minute Daddy could be there with us and we were sad to see him go :-( If you want to see some pictures from our vacation - go here.

Melissa Jones Photography

Last Sunday, we met up with Melissa for her Fresh Face Contest. It was a gorgeous day (although a bit chilly) and we were the 1st appointments so the kids were actually in pretty good moods. Evie gave Melissa a run for her money - but she was able to capture some good ones. Gavin, on the other hand, seriously could be a model! He just does as he is told, smiles, jumps...whatever. My favorite picture is the one of Evie pouting. It just really captures who she is at this stage of life. Thanks Melissa!

Angie's baby sprinkle

The hostess with the momma!

The YUMMY homemade cake

The delicious favors made by Mary

The presents and diapers

The disgusting game where you had to identify melted candy bars in diapers

Dana almost gagged!

The toilet paper game

looks painful

This is how Evie fell asleep tonight. Looks painful, huh? Too bad we were laughing so hard and grabbing our camera to get a pic! Don't worry - I moved her after we took some pictures.

Shhhhh....

This afternoon (after naps) Gavin, Evie and I were playing and reading books. Evie said to me, "Mommy, need poopy." I got so excited and checked her diaper first (no poops) and then put her on the potty. She sat on one of those padded seats (to help with potty training) to no avail. So I took the padded seat cover off, and plopped her right on the big potty. Immediately she said, "Shhhh...Mommy...the big rocks are coming!" Then she whispers, "Here come the big rocks." And sure enough, she went poop!!! I was trying so hard not to laugh too much - and I congratulated her with some hershey kisses for her and brother!!! What a good job!!!

big girl bed

So Patrick convinced me it was time to make the switch. He felt so bad every night, caging up Evie in her crib tent, that he finally MADE me agree to put her in a big girl bed (thanks to Ashli for letting us borrow it). Gavin switched just after he turned 2 - but our Evie is a creatively different child than her brother. She can find ways in and out of places she shouldn't be. And I (selfishly) was not ready for her. I felt bad about losing Mr. Doodle - and now to make her grow up so fast and go into a big girl bed...it was just too much. But Patrick held my hand the entire time and we made the switch. And Evie LOVES it! Here are some pics of her the 2nd day in her bed. She still won't nap - but that just means earlier bed times! I am hoping the naps come back though. The first night she fell asleep on the floor - but tonight (the 2nd night) she fell asleep in bed (at 7:15) after only 20 minutes of playing.

Rainbows

Why do rainbows always make me feel happy? And everyone else too?

Tonight, we had another set of beautiful double rainbows. Gavin and I were bickering with each other (yes, I was bickering with a 4 year old) but as soon as we saw this, we both stopped to enjoy it. Evie and Patrick also joined in - watching these beautiful rainbows for almost 5 minutes. The kids were singing and laughing and everyone just brightened up!

Easter

We had a very nice Easter. It was made even better with the fact that Daddy was home ALL day! It was a gorgeous afternoon and we had some friends come for dinner. The Christensen clan, Nita Smith and her daughter JJ and us. The Fincks were supposed to join us - but little Sam was sick, so we just took them food afterward.

The kids loved the egg hunt and loved all the candy and gifts the Easter Bunny brought! Patrick and I loved the Mimosas he left too!

Sad passing

Mr. Doodle - Sept 19, 2006 - April 11, 2009.

Mr. Doodle (aka pacifier, nuk, binky) was 2 1/2 years old. He was born unto Evelyn McKenna Bull at Riverside Methodist Hospital, and stayed a true companion to her for all of his years. In 2007, he graduated from newborn to big-girl pacifier, being by Evelyn's side during naps and bedtime only.

He was preceeded in death by his other 2 friends, Mrs. Doodle and Doodle Jr. within the month. Evelyn would place Mrs. and Jr. on her eyes, while Mr. Doodle was be the lucky on to get sucked on. Some believe he died from a broken heart from the passing of Mrs. and Jr - but I say it was Evelyn's teeth that tore him apart.

Services were held in Evelyn's crib as she cried for hours on end about his passing. I can still hear her now, screaming his name - "Doodle, Doodle, please come back."

His family requests, that in lieu of flowers, everyone should please make a donation to Evelyn's Orthodontic Fund, set up for the future of Evelyn's teeth.

Dr. Bull...paging Dr. Bull

How stinkin' cute?!?! I got this when we were back in PA a few weeks ago. The Please Touch Museum is now located about a mile from Patrick's medical school, so I stopped in to see a friend and also to check out the book store for any gifts for the kids that had PCOM on it. How perfect was this find - the last pair of kids scrubs on clearance...and exactly Gavin's size!!!

Pardon the scabs/scrapes on his face...he biffed it at the zoo earlier this week and got a nasty abrasion from his chin to his forehead...mostly just on his nose now. I think it makes him look tough!

Fliptastic Easter Party

Tonight we joined the Christensens and the Youngs at the Fliptastic Easter party. This is Evie's gymnastics place so she was so excited (too excited) when we got there. Gavin was also thrilled that he got to come along, because he stays at home when she is in class. They had a cute Easter egg hunt in the little gym room (where Evie takes class) and then the main gym had lots of other fun games and face painting and of course, lots of candy! We were lucky enough to be near the front of the line for the Easter egg hunt and the kids got to go in together and each find 5 eggs. McKenna helped Evie find some of hers and then we all went and played games. The hard part for me was making sure the kids didn't sneak a piece when I wasn't looking since there were lots of candy with eggs and/or peanuts!!! But we succeeded (after many lollipops and tootsie rolls)! The kids were on a massive sugar high - so we left after about an hour. It was really fun - but I wish Patrick was there to enjoy it too (but he is taking an extra moonlighting shift and making money - so I'll show him the pics :-)

gymnastics update

Tonight went much better than the first two sessions. Hopefully she has turned the corner and we will not get kicked out!