The Pate Family

Meet Chase and Clay Johnson

2011-04-24T13:44:00.001-05:00

On March 10th the world finally met Chase and Clay-my brother's sons...

I finally met them on Friday; and fell in love.

Mr. Clay

Mr. Chase

Carson loved them, too. His favorite thing to do was to poke them and help rock them (and I'm not too sure that they loved him back at this point :-))

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

"Pweese"

2011-04-23T18:46:00.001-05:00

I've been neglecting my blog again lately. Rather than overwhelm myself with trying to catch up the past 4 months I've decided to just work with the present. The best part? I found an app that allows me to update on the go...

Enjoy some pictures from the past couple of months!

Carson is always on the move!

He loves bath time...

...and chocolate! (@special times).

Now he is jabbering away. His words are: mama, dada, pweese, cra-ca, ah-si (outside), up, down...and many more! It seems like a new word appears every week!

He loves to play with friends. (this is Charlotte Kue).

Sometimes I can't believe how quickly he is growing...

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Back in business :)

2011-03-16T20:03:00.001-05:00

I'm proud to say that we are back in business having found an iPhone app that makes my blogging life even easier. I'm testing this out tonight and will go back and fill you in on January and February.

Baby boy has a fever tonight. :(

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:Geneva Ln,Fort Worth,United States

In Remembrance (Who am I?)

2011-02-05T18:13:00.015-06:00

This next post is dedicated to a woman who not only touched my life, but is apart of my soul, as well. She was a spirited and energetic woman who loved life and loved her family fiercely. You could hear her laugh across a large room and above the crowd. She was loved by many and will not soon be forgotten. I am proud to call her my grandmother. We lost her, Olga Johnson, on Tuesday morning, December 28th, 2010.

Sifting through pictures and memories, I realize that genetics are not uniquely your own but are truly made up of those who came before you...I've often asked myself, 'who am I?' Why do I LOVE to read? Where did I get my goofy pinky toe? Why am I so loud in certain situations?? (--have you met my quiet mother?!?)

Looking through these few images, I think that I (and maybe you, as well), may just understand a bit more... (Remember that you can click on an image to make it larger)

This first picture contains many family members...my Grandma is the second from the right...and that's me right next to that picture. Resemblance?

This next picture is of both of my grandmothers, and I, around the age of 18.
Left: Olga Johnson, Graduation 1945
Middle: Me, Spring 2000
Right: Edna Bahm, graduation 1933
Look at those smiles?? How can I smile so much like two different women??

Here is a picture of David and Olga Johnson September 1950

These next two pictures are 2 of only a few that I have of GREAT-Grandma Johnson holding Carson and both were some of the happiest moments in her later life:

The Birth and Baptism of her first Great-Grandchild

Brett and Ashley's Wedding:

These last picture is my favorite and the only one of it's kind in our family...

FOUR generations of family:
Great-Grandma Olga Johnson
Grandpa Dave Johnson
Mommy Julie Johnson Pate
Son Carson Pate

It's just fun to imagine her running and living with her Lord...Praise God for the reunion that we get to have very soon...

"And all of creation sing with me now
lift up your voice and lay your burden down
and all of creation sing with me now
fill up the heavens let his glory resound
Time has faded and we see him face to face"
--Mercy Me (All of Creation)

**Side note: This entire blog was, partially, meant just for my 'techy' 83-year-old grandmother...I've always been proud that she was 'computer saavy' enough to read my blog and stay updated on my life...dedicated to her, I will continue.

Christmas Eve with the Pates/Porters

2011-02-05T17:43:00.006-06:00

...December 24th, 2010

Christmas Eve arrived and we prepared to go to the Porter's house...

....after a quick nap, of course.

Abbi and Colton enjoyed playing...

...And Carson enjoyed eating...

My Sweet little Niece and Nephew (Abbi and Jeffrey)
Isn't her outfit SUPER CUTE??

Jerlette and Colton

After a Christmas Eve dinnere--Texas Style Barbeque--we decided to attempt some family pictures...

The entire Pate/Porter Family

...and then we opened gifts
(Jeffrey)

(Corey and Colton)

(Me)

(We surprised Mom Pate with a Keurig Coffee Machine)

(Amy and Abbi)

'Twas the night before Christmas...
...and the three little babies were all in their pajamas...

(Colton, Abbi [both 11 months], and Carson [13 months]

...and now, home to prepare for our Christmas morning flight out of DFW--5:45AM!!!

Big D part 1...

2011-02-05T16:45:00.003-06:00

...beginning of December

Thanksgiving was the beginning of the Holiday rush. It seemed that every moment was packed with adventure...here are just a few from the beginning of the month:

Carson joined Mommy and Daddy at school for a night of "A Dickons of a Carol" starring the 7th and 8th graders of St. Paul Lutheran School. He enjoyed sitting with his favorite McCamants. It was dear "Uncle Bruce" who taught "Tater" to unzip and zip his shoes...over and over again. (Thanks :-))

Next was Carson's Day Care Christmas "show(?)"

Ms. Terri hosted a dinner for all of the families and had taught the kids a bunch of Holiday songs, which they performed later in the evening.

And finally, we had one of our many dinner nights with our friends, the Quinces...as you can see, the boys are all growing up. The best part is that Carson has begun to play with the other boys...

(I think) Adrian (21 months), Amare (3 years), Carson (13 Months), Julius (21 Months)

Mommy and Me

2011-02-05T16:39:00.004-06:00

11.13.10

Just a quickie...

Our little "Cs" are growing too fast!! Here's an updated picture from our "Mommy and Me group"

Chance (6 Months), Charlotte (8 Months), Carson (12 Months), Connor (15 Months)

ONE big Birthday!!!

2011-02-05T15:38:00.007-06:00

...November 6th, 2010

Happy 1st Birthday to our little man!!

We invited mostly family and a couple of family friends and enjoyed an evening of food and fun!! Even Grandma and Grandpa Johnson were able to make a quick trip from Michigan to join the festivities!

...Thanks to Aly for making a B-E-A-Utiful cake!!!

Our Birthday Boy got a lot of wonderful presents. Daddy helped him to open them (he wasn't very interested in the gifts...compared to the wrapping paper!)

After a little bit of coaxing, he started to nibble bits of cake--once he got going, mmmmmmmmm!

Two Cousins: Carson and Colton (only 3 months apart) had a great time playing!!

Before he went to bed Carson demonstrated how to use his new toy...

An excellent day!

Hallow-fun

2010-11-12T22:26:00.004-06:00

Trunk or Treat at St. Paul with my two favorite and bestest families in Texas...I LOVE it!!!

The future husband and wife (Charlotte Mae) pause from their treat collections to pose for the paparazzi

Sweet little caterpillar--(Eric Carle!!)

Double sweet--mom and daughter

I think that this little Quince Monkey #1 is Adrian

...which might make this Monkey #2, Julius

Dino-Amare is Dinomyte!!

...wow...we managed to capture the Quinces (cute family :-))

Cousins: Colton, Carson, & Abbigale (stinkers and a superman)

October II

2010-11-12T22:16:00.003-06:00

11 months has come and gone so quickly, sometimes, I can't even believe it. A year ago I was impatiently counting down the days until Carson would come. As cliche as it sounds, I feel like it was just yesterday.

Below are some highlights from our regular, every-day family-ness:

Carson and Daddy before Church...

My little man--no longer a baby :'-(

I would never in a million years guess that this could be comfortable, but yes, this is how we find him, time and time again :-)

Halloween is almost here! Carson is enjoying his Halloween Card from Great-Grandma J

2010-11-12T22:12:00.002-06:00

Cindy and I kicked off October with a trip to the Flower Mound Pumpkin Patch. We really enjoyed the touch of coolness in the air, the "fall atmosphere" and, most of all, sharing the visit with our kids...

August and September

2010-10-20T22:02:00.005-05:00

So I'm starting to notice that I get so busy spending time with Carson that I keep forgetting to take pictures! My August and September collection is SO SPARCE that I decided to just put them together.

**I vow to do better...

August brought communication from Carson...it started with a "da" here and there. Tony was adamant that Carson was referring to him--I allowed him to believe that :-).

Pretty soon, Carson agressively spouted "da-da-da" AND "ma-ma-ma." My favorite thing has always been to try to get him to say one thing: "ma-ma," and while I am still saying that, he would start to say "DA DA DA!"

Solid foods began to play a big part in Carson's "meal plan." (Just to clarify, Carson skipped completely over 'pureed solids' straight into actual solids. It's been one fun discovery after another :-))

Our little crawler was getting really good at manuvering all around AND pulling himself into standing position!

After a LONG day of crawling and pulling into standing position, both of my boys were exhausted...

____________________________________________________

September brought more "busy-ness" with school in full swing. Tony and I both learned (and are still learning) to juggle planning, grading, coaching, AND spending time with our little man--all while trying to keep our house in some semblance of order! If there's one thing I've learned, it's to let things go--nothing is more important than this sweet boy...

..he loves his ravioli!! (Please note the chair on his right-GOOBERS all over it! Who is the lucky mommy that gets to clean it up??)

(catch up) July III

2010-10-10T21:22:00.003-05:00

Quickie:

3 other girls and I all had babies within a year of each other (actually, within 9 months of each other) We all (unintentionally) named our kids "C" names, and have been gathering since June to have "Mommy and Me" time...

Here's the rundown:
Susan and Connor (August '09)
Julie and Carson (Nov. '09)
Cindy and Charlotte (March '10)
Sydney and Chance (May '10)

Here I am, holding baby Charlotte...only 4 months at the time. Her mother, Cindy, is one of Carson's Godparents.

Here is Connor and Carson enjoying a "drink together"

...sadly, I didn't snap a picture of Chance. (I'll use the excuse that he was sleeping the whole time) [sorry Syd]

(catch up) Michigan Part II

2010-10-10T21:11:00.004-05:00

We returned to St. Joseph to enjoy our last week in the midwest.

Great-Grandma Johnson took the Pates downtown to the new Carousel. Carson enjoyed his ride on the "Michigan Wolverines" horse...

I also got to play with the settings on my camera a little--I managed to capture a couple of the "horses" while they were in motion...

Grandma and Grandpa had invested in a wonderful swing that they hung in the front yard in one of the trees. (I remember one summer, shortly after we had moved in, when dad was planting those trees. Ever the curious six year old, I asked him "why?" He replied, "Don't you want to be able to swing from one of these trees when you're older?"

Who would have thought, then, that he was planting it for his future grandchild(ren)?)

Carson really enjoyed it...

...such wonderfully cool evenings.

Our last night, we took a trip downtown to get some Kilwins Ice Cream and see some of the great "dog statues" that had been designed by local artists. Carson enjoyed studying them, as always, with a furrowed brow...

...one tired little boy.

(catch up) Grandma and Grandpa's House!

2010-10-10T20:59:00.006-05:00

At the end of June, we packed up and headed to my parents' house in Michigan. We spent 2 weeks enjoying the cool midwest summer.

...just before we left, we found Carson STANDING in his crib--he had pulled himself into standing position on his own! We then proceeded to find him this way every time he woke up!

...he ate in Grandma Johnson's high chair from when she was a baby.

...we bathed him in the sink :-)

The best part of July was my brother's wedding! On July 4th, Brett and Ashley became: Mr. & Mrs. Brett Johnson.

Carson was Brett's "Best Little Man"

"Brand New sisters!"

...needless to say it was time for Carson's nap by the time the ceremony was over. We still had a blast!

Catch up- JUNE!

2010-10-10T20:44:00.005-05:00

June was supposed to allow life to slow down, instead time seemed to fly faster...

My little boy kept on growing...at this point he could stand while holding onto the couch...

The highlight of June was when Tony offcially signed his contract with St. Paul Fort Worth to be the 1-8 PE teacher, 6-7 Social Studies teacher, and athletic director. Tony put his 2 weeks notice with the Bedford Police department, and began to pour himself into revamping St. Paul's gymnasium--painting everything is sight!

Catch up-May

2010-10-10T19:38:00.006-05:00

May meant many things for the Pates…
*It brought the first night EVER that the Pates and Quinces were able to go out to dinner. In all of the years we’ve been friends (4 years), we have never been able to go out together…with our without kids. We had a great night going to Pappacitos and bowling. I’ll admit that while we had a blast, it took a few minutes for us to get into the groove–we hardly knew what to do with ourselves at dinner without kids!

Missy and Julie

Yes...somehow the Quinces beat the Pates in bowling. Their extravagant winnings...

Carson and Daddy...

May brought the end of another school year (my 6th)…Carson said goodbye to some of the special people in his life: Susan who played with him the mornings that I came to school early, Grace, a 7th grader who played with him during faculty meetings, and Melanie, who took care of him on the days that Tony was working at the police department.

Susan....

Grace....

Melanie...

*May also brought my parents for a quick visit over Memorial Day weekend. We went to dinner, grilled out, and enjoyed our visit. The highlight was Carson’s first visit to the pool and Coyboy's Stadium!

...exhausting, but fun :-)

April Chapter 3: Food and Bath, very important.

2010-04-30T22:01:00.006-05:00

Those of you who have been around my son more than a couple of hours know that "eating" is very important to him. Don't believe me? Check out his rolls and dimples.

Recently, we've had success with solid food. Daddy had a great idea to jump to sweet potatoes, and suddenly this child is chomping down! SUCCESS!!

Dada knows how to get my boy to laugh...

Bath time is a super fun event in this boy's life...

he kicks and kicks and has a blast splashing every one around him!

April Chapter 2: Texas Blue Bonnets

2010-04-30T21:26:00.003-05:00

So...I've lived in Texas for 5 years now, and I'd like to think that I'm beginning to be one of "them" :-) I've learned a few things over the years: (Midwestern people, take note)

1. Texans are VERY proud of their state and the famous people, food and other items that come from Texas.
2. Texas has THE BEST Mexican restaurants, EVER
3. Texans wear jeans in 70's and even 80 degree weather (not so, up north)
4. Texans take pictures of children in fields of the Texas state flower: the bluebonnet.

In order to be accepted into the culture :-)
(and because I think it's so darn cute) I decided that Carson needed his day (along with his adopted Quince brothers) in the bluebonnets! Thank you, Missy, for snapping a few of me and my boy.

Julius and Amare loved the Bluebonnets

No, Amare, Julius cannot eat the bluebonnet...

Adrian!

Tres Hermanos...

April, Chapter 1: EASTER

2010-04-30T20:19:00.007-05:00

We had friends from all over visiting throughout Easter: Michelle, Jen & Nathan Loewe, and Vic & Christie Escobar...

Sunday morning, we went to church and then came home to enjoy Carson and his first Easter Basket:

As always, studying the world with a furrowed brow:

...and wondering how good the basket might taste...

...ooooooh...

A bunny for the baby, and a chocolate bunny for the mommy :-)

Next, we headed to the Quince houseto hunt for eggs.

Julius enjoyed the eggs...(note Carson snoozing in the background)

Adrian liked spreading the dandelion seeds...what a great landscaper!

Auntie Michelle and Carson both studying the excitement with a furrowed brow--could they be related???

Amare loved hunting for the eggs...looking for chocolate, of course!

Aunties Jen and Michelle with Big C

Verdict?

Two very enthusiastic thumbs up; great family entertainment!

March random-MADness...

2010-04-22T22:08:00.006-05:00

...this child is growing TOO FAST!

4 Month Check up:

17 lbs 6 oz

25 1/2 inches

6-9 month clothing (AHHH!!!)

Pictures for your viewing pleasure.

A small smile...for daddy.

He's gonna keep those BLUE eyes :-)

Our first attempt at rice cereal with Carson, was interesting to say the least. Angry looks were directed at both parental units. We decided to wait another couple of weeks.

February/MARCH (bookmark)

2010-04-22T21:52:00.006-05:00

February 12, 2010--Tony turned 30!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

March list:

3/4--Brett (my brother) and Ashley got engaged!!

They asked Carson to be Brett's "Best Little Man" :-)

The second week of March: Lutheran School's Week!
Three cheers for your favorite Lutheran school(s)!!!

*Trinity St. Joseph, MI
*St. Philip Chicago, IL
*St. Paul Fort Worth, TX

Carson participated in Jeans and Jersey day at St. Paul

and cheered mommy on in the faculty vs. 8th grade volleyball game!

Spring Break in Michigan...

Pretend that there are pictures. They're all in Michigan on my parent's computer :-)

One wild, snowy, Texas day...

2010-04-22T20:54:00.007-05:00

Wednesday 2/10, Carson went to bed feeling a little warm. We woke up at 4:30, Thursday morning to him sweating...Tony took his temperature and it was 103.6 degrees. We packed up and headed to the emergency room.

After a load of tests from blood, catheter, x-rays, and more, it was determined that there was no viral infection. We were there for 7 hours that morning. (We later found out that he had a urinary tract infection).

Yes, they put my SON in a PURPLE hospital gown...he was mistaken for a girl at least 2 times.

The poor guy had been poked and prodded all morning--he was exhausted!

We came home to find we had 3 or 4 inches on the ground, and more falling, besides!!

By 7PM he was fever free and back to studying the world with his furrowed brow.

What a relief!

We awoke to 8+ inches on the ground. This snowfall plus all others in this winter equaled the SECOND snowiest winter on record in Fort Worth!!

I would swear to you that this is a picture of a neigborhood in Michigan....

3 Month Photos

2010-02-25T19:23:00.003-06:00

Carson David

3 Months

I finally got it together enough to take some pictures of him.

I love his beautiful lips, his feet...and his chubby little rolls all over his body.

My Blue-Eyed Boy

Daddy can almost always get him to smile...

Carson LOVES his Daddy!

January...revisited

2010-02-25T18:48:00.005-06:00

And so, 2010 brought the "real" beginning. I went back to work at school and life as a working mom in the real world began. Carson goes 2-3 days a week to a friend from Church, and is at home 2-3 days with Daddy (depending on his schedule).

While Carson ended 2009 at just over 10lbs, he clocked in at his 2 month appointment (mid January) at 13lbs 11oz and 24in long! This put him in the 95-100 percentile for height and weight! (BIG BOY!)

One week and two days later we weighed him and he had gained 11oz to reach 14.6lbs!! What can I say, the boy LOVES to eat!!

Grandma Pate came to visit
(note Carson's double chin has begun to make an appearance in early January)

This t-shirt says it all: watch out Patrick Dempsey!

Carson got to be so great at holding his head up that we decided to try out the Bumbo seat...he did well.

On Monday, Jauary 25th, Tony's Brother and his wife (Corey and Amy) gave birth to Twins!!

Abbigale Grace

Colton Wayne

The 3 little ones, together. I can already tell that TROUBLE is in our future! :-)