DRIVE-IN

A few weeks ago we drove up to Ogden, and went to a Drive-In movie with Brian, Kristi, Brianna and Garrett (Darin's brother's family). It was so much fun! We pulled out some lawn chairs and busted out every bag of candy imagineable, and sat back under the stars stuffing our faces and watching "UP". Kai loved it, because he was getting all sorts of loving from Brianna (who won't let anyone else hold him when she is around unless he needs to eat). It was great!!!

Kai and Beckett

Anne and Beckett flew out from Connecticut for a few days in July...these two little cousins couldn't get enough of each other!

Ok, maybe Kai was a little overwhelmed with all of the love Beckett had to share...but behind that crying face, their is secretly a smile. He is thinking to himself, this guy is really gonna get it when I get bigger. :)

4th of July Weekend

Over the 4th, most of my family and several of Darin's family members were here for the Holiday and Kai's blessing. Since Todd and Onjali were here for the weekend we doubled up on blessings and Owen (one month younger than Kai) and Kai were blessed together. We also got a chance to have some family pictures taken. What an exciting weekend! We missed Aunt Cindy and her family (Darin's sister) and Uncle Dan (my sister Anne's husband). Here are a few pics!

My little monkey is not so little...

So, I started back to work about 3 weeks ago, and right before I went back, I was having a minor break down about the fact that my maternity leave with Kai was coming to an end...and to top it all off, the very first outfit I ever bought him (and my absolute favorite) was almost to small for him...meaning, my little baby is not such a little baby anymore. I was a little teary, and began explaining my woes to Darin. I wasn't sure he understood how I could be sooooooo sad about a little outfit being to small for Kai (it wasn't the outfit per se...more like the fact that he was too big to wear it was really devastating). We ended our nostalgic discussion about our little boy growing up, and went on our way.

A few days later Kai and I were at work (he came to work with me for 3 weeks until I started working part time, and now he is in day care at my work 3 days a week). While "we" were working, I got paged over the intercom and was asked to come to the reception desk. When I got there, there was a package for Melinda Patterson. Since I kept my maiden name at work, I was surprised to find a package with my married name (and so was the receptionist...she almost didn't sign for it, because she argued with them that no MELINDA PATTERSON'S worked there). I took the package back to my office and inside found an elegant Ralph Lauren box. I opened it and at the very top was a small card that said: JUST BECAUSE YOU ARE SUCH A GOOD MOM... There was no signature or anything. I opened the wrapping and inside was the next size up of my favorite little outfit. Darin had researched on the internet, and was able to find the 6 month size of Kai's little Polo outfit. Kai and I were so excited, we couldn't stop smiling, (and I may or may not have shed a few tears).

Darin is the most thoughtful, kindest, loving father and husband I could have ever asked for!!!

Exhibit A: The Outfit.

Exhibit B: The Card.

Exhibit C: The Happiest Mom and Son ever!