Christmas preparations

Our tree this year.

Amelia and the tree.

Amelia

Dylan at school, they had a mini program.

Dylan at home, he's so handsome!

Scott and I with the tree.

Scott and the boys, at least two of them.

Scott and Amelia

Scott decorating the tree.

Dylan

Dylan decorating the tree.

Amelia hanging out.

Welcome Home Scott! :)

We were very blessed to have Scott come home early from Iraq. We will be spending Christmas together as a family this year! Below are a few pictures from us waiting for him to walk through the gym doors back into our lives!! I apologize that there are no pictures of the ceremony itself, but trying to juggle Dylan and Amelia while sitting 4 rows up in the bleachers was NOT easy, and the ceremony was so brief!! He marched in with about 70 other soldiers, and stood at attention while the National Anthem was played, what a joy that was!! I always feel so full of pride when I hear that song, to know that my husband has volunteered to stand up and protect all of us! After a short, very short, speech, the guys were released to find their families. What a moment, 9 months in the making! The kids were excited, although Amelia wasn't quite ready to go to her daddy just yet, but oh, has that changed! She loves her daddy so much!!





Amelia

Side shot of a welcome home poster.

The four of us waiting for Scott...Christian was in class.

Amelia and I waiting...

Dylan at the welcome home ceremony for Scott.

Random Pictures

Amelia in the tub one night...

Amelia found the legwarmers I made for her last Halloween and put them on!

This is Tyler's science fair project. It's the beginning of a fan.

Tyler and Amelia messing around before bed.

Dylan after church. They were learning about Jonah and the whale.

Tyler's Scout Campout

Tyler and I went camping a few months ago. It was so much fun! Tyler did archery, bb guns, pumpkin carving, and a few more things! Here are some pictures from the campout!

This is the tent we slept in! We put it up all by ourselves!!

Tyler at the archery range!

Tyler shooting a bb gun.

A small video of Tyler shooting his bow and arrow.

Halloween 2008

Amelia on Halloween. She was a cheerleader. I couldn't come up with anything exciting this year! She was so cute, though!

Dylan at Halloween. We have had this costume for about 12 years now. It was originally Christan's costume, then Tyler's. I just HAD to dig it out for Dylan to wear! He actually loves Toy Story just like his brothers and didn't even mind the mustache too much!

Here we go!!

Well, I am finally doing it...I'm setting up a family website for the Pattersons! I know, what took me so long?
This has been a very long year. The kids are all growing up before our very eyes, so quickly it seems. Scott deployed last November and got to come home for his R&R in March of this year. He is due to come home this month, December of 2008. We are so very excited to be a family again and just enjoy being with each other. Having Scott home for Christmas this year is an answer to prayer, we are so thankful that we'll be able to spend this holiday together!
My plan is to update this at least once a week, add new pictures, post news, etc.
We hope you enjoy!
Love,
Toni