I Did It Again!

Here's another two for one post. (I'm just glad that I'm still doing so much better than last year!)

Yesterday, I felt particularly grateful for the sky. Last night's sunset was colorful and just beautiful. It amazing that every day we can view an ever changing piece of art.

Today, I am grateful for homemade cinnamon rolls. When I was growing up, we didn't have much dessert and sweet treats around the house. Every so often, my mom would make cinnamon rolls. I loved eating the raw dough and anticipated the warm, sweet rolls. I remember after we ate all the cinnamon rolls picking at the frosting that was left on the pan. These memories are some of my favorites.

A Wonderful Dream

I know I've talked about who I was named after before, my sweet grandma Patterson. She died about three years before I was born. When I was younger I had a hard time knowing that we shared the same name and having it remind me that I never even met her. It took some time, but I have learned to love my name.

Anyways, last week my dad shared that he had a dream about her. This was the first time since she died over 20 years ago. He emailed it to his siblings and dad. What he remembered most clearly was how beautiful she was. My grandpa responded to the email saying that he has seen her and agreeing that she was very beautiful.
 

Well, just a couple of nights ago I had the privilege of seeing my grandma's beauty for myself. I too, had a dream about my grandma. Mine was a little different because there were two of her, the older one that my siblings remember from their childhood and a beautiful, young version of her. It was wonderful! I sat down next to the younger version of her and started asking her some simple questions. Right when I had built up enough courage to ask some deeper ones, a car alarm went off! I woke up wanting to go back so I could talk to my grandma more. I wanted to know if she knew who I was. I either have a feeling or am hoping that I get to have that dream again. I feel like this dream is my early Christmas present.

The Nutcracker Tradition

I love going to the ballet. It reminds me of my childhood. I remember the years of attending the Nutcracker and then when I performed in it. Every time I go to the ballet, I look back on these wonderful memories. This year was no different. It was so nice and we even got there about 10 minutes early. (Usually we are practically running to our seats!) It was so cute seeing all of the little girls all dressed up not knowing what they were about to see. It will be so fun to take the little girls to the Nutcracker in a few years.

The performance is about to start.

The Snow Queen.

After the performance is over, we always go to Rick's Diner! All they have are desserts and yes they are amazing! We had the mixed berry cheesecake, raspberry torte, and mint chocolate cake. They were all so good!

I love the ballet and I can't wait to share it with Jonathan. We are going to Midsummer Night's Dream in the spring!

Old Memories and a DIY Project with My Mom

Lately, my mom has been trying to organize her house and she has found some great things!

This was one of my dad's favorite desserts his mom would make.

This was my joy school group when I was three.

Some of the old toys we used to play with growing up.

My old pog slammer (I think Chris got it for me) and an Oprah book Amy got at a book fair.

I look so comfortable on Santa's lap don't I!

My sister and her little family have moved into my parent's house. Garrett is lucky enough to be in a pink bedroom that all 4 of us kids ended up sleeping in at one point. (Andy and I even shared it, he was 21 and I was 11, that was special!) Anyways, we still had the original fan in that room and it was AWFUL! Poor Garrett would get so sweaty during his naps. My mom and Amy picked out a new fan and my mom and I installed it. This was the second fan we installed and it went so much faster. We did have a few problems with getting in the remote receiver, but that happened last time too. After really reading how to get the remote control to work, we had a working fan! I love projects like these!

Yeah, I just started using Instagram. I like it a lot!

My Favorite Part of Rainy Weather

I love stomping through puddles in my rain boots. Luckily, Garrett does too! A few weeks ago we found an awesome puddle by my parent's house and boy, did we have fun!

Garrett liked having his car drive on the water. Then we found a worm. Garrett tried to kill it by stomping on it, but that worm was too tough for him.