6, 4, ANNNDDD 2!!!

We are in a bit of amazement here in central Shawnee,

with another year passing and all the Patrick Children turning another year older it blows our minds! 

Yes, we realize that it happens every year and every year we are more and more 

amazed than the last! 

Starting with the OLDEST! He turned 6 in December and did it wonderfully. He started kindergarten in the fall at Good Shepherd and is doing fantastic! We could not be prouder of him. He played soccer in the fall with his classmates - the Little Rams and continues to take TaeKwonDo! He is reading 63 page books at night to his brother & sister and mastering his math skills! 

With his buddies at the Christmas program

Riding around his little sister

Enjoying the cold waters in Newport Beach

Hanging on Christmas day with his Aunty Ali

Our newest 4 year old is having a great year! He started 3 year old pre-school and enjoys two days of enrichment (extended day)! He is doing amazing in his class! He will start gymnastics & play soccer in the spring. He loves his super heroes & equally shares his time with his older brother and little sister - as any good middle child should. 

Ride anyone?!?!

Lovin' craft time!

4 - I AM!

Enjoying those freezing waters in Newport Beach

The Girl turned 2! She has also had an amazing year! 

She finally decided to walk on her 18th month birthday (literally) and has been running ever since. She has school one day a week and loves every second of it. Her Gymboree classes keep her busy and she will start gymnastics next month! She adores her big brothers and will sit in her fluffy tutu playing monster 

trucks with them! She's full of energy and loves a good snuggle.

Happy 2

Hanging with cousin Case

Who doesn't love the beach!?!?

Big Brother & Macka


OUR 3 SPECIAL BLESSINGS

THE FINAL PHASE!!!!

This blog entry as many of my entries are geared towards our out of town 
family & friends. As many of you 

in-towners have already seen the "final phase" in person & in action. And continue to invite everyone over to see us! 

There was a lot of work done over this past summer and fall INTO winter 

and probably spring too! :-)))

Though as Rob feels his honey-do list will never be completely finished - we are 

happily moved in and living comfortably in our new space. 

Let's start in the heart of the house! 

Mama Jo's Kitchen 

BEFORE KITCHEN

AFTER KITCHEN

The "old" kitchen was pretty & functional with it's oak cabinetry, but it definitely needed a facelift...... 

The facelift transformation is AMAZING!!!  The floor plan definitely got changed up a bit too and a brand new design was developed. There is a prep island in the center of the kitchen with a prep sink that is surrounded by the cooktop, double ovens, microwave and refrigerator.  The L-shaped island is called the bar; it seats 6, just in case ;-))) The large counter space area under the glass hanging cabinets is great for all our buffet type meals with bigger groups. 

      The "secret" walk-in pantry provides its' own separate space behind the entire kitchen.  

THE GREAT ROOM 

BEFORE GREAT ROOM

AFTER GREAT ROOM
The "old" great room was considered part of their eat-in kitchen area too with one wall of windows.

We just pushed the great room out another 14 feet to make it bigger! Basically pushing the wall of windows out. The wall of windows, now has a rustic stone fireplace in the center & a custom built OLD wood mantel. We shifted the direction of the room toward the back of the house, instead of the side of the house as it once was. The ceiling was changed to a real wood ceiling with an unique wood floor. Also, we added a small overlook deck to the left and a big deck that goes all the way across the back of the house to the right with stairways on either sides to get to the bottom patio & deck areas. In total there are 6 different types of wood in this entire area - with different complimenting stains. 

MASTER BATH

BEFORE MASTER BATH

The old bathroom had floral wallpaper & BRASS BRASS BRASS everything!!! And to top that it had white carpet. 

We didn't change the design of the space, but completed a full facelift! We changed the wallpaper to a soft greenish color paint, replaced the vanities to granite, all fixtures to oil-rubbed bronze, replaced all tile in the shower, bath tub and surrounding fireplace,  plus added heated tile floors. Then added a full washer/dryer to the master closet. 

This is the Patrick kids' favorite place to take their bath now! 

AFTER MASTER BATH

                                            

LOFT

BEFORE LOFT

This was basically just changing the decor. We lightened up the green paint color a bit and changed out the carpet. And the wooden banister and stairway spindles were changed to iron basket/twist spindles throughout. 

AFTER LOFT

DINING ROOM 

BEFORE DINING ROOM

We didn't change much in the dining room. We ripped out the carpet and replaced it with a beautiful cherry teak wood flooring. And lightened up the walls with a warm tan/off white color. 

AFTER DINING ROOM


LIVING ROOM 

BEFORE LIVING ROOM 

AFTER LIVING ROOM 

We didn't change much here. Although changing the main light fixture, painting the walls (the color is very different went from bright yellow to an off beige) and replacing the carpet and adding furniture made this room completely different. Overall, we didn't think we would use this room very often as we made it into more of a "formal" living rom. However, the Patrick kids have made it their main level play room. Which works out to all of our advantage - not under my feet while cooking in the kitchen, but still being close enough to hear them.

There are many many more changes throughout. We added a mudroom, redesigned the half bath, added any entire addition to the basement area (man cave!) where the upper addition was added AND gave the entire upper level a major facelift with new carpet, new wall colors & fixtures. We have yet to finish facelifting the basement. We have painted several rooms there, but still have many more projects to complete. The entire house is waiting for more wall hangings, drapes/shades, and many more decorations. 

The exterior did get a fresh coat of paint, all decks are installed and the patio area overlooking the "lake" with a beautiful stone fire pit is completed. The landscape surrounding the house and the backyard is finished. In the back and side yards we had to take down several trees in order to get the grass to grow - which is green and lush even in this cold weather! Those pictures are yet to come in a spring blog. While all trees and plants have taken off. 

We are truly blessed to have found this house! It is a dream that took us 2.5 years to obtain and we are thankful. 

PHASE I, II, & III

PHASE I

DEMOLITION

The addition is coming right along. The kitchen/dining area have been demo-ed. 
This exterior wall of windows has been completely torn down to create an 
opening to the addition. This addition will create a space of 
26 x 16 with 14 foot vaulted ceilings.
It will include no middle wall to 
create a family room off the kitchen to make one BIG great room!
(To the left of this picture is the eat-in kitchen area. The fireplace
will be moved to the great room.)

PHASE II
FRAMING EXTERIORS WALLS & NEW ROOF

The exterior started with framing the walls and a new roof. The roof 

looks amazing - if you need a good roofer - I know a GrEaT one! ;-)

Two doors will give you exterior access on each side of the addition to one smaller 
deck on the left to over look the play area and one LARGE deck to the right
that will come clear across to the master bedroom. It will have 
 stairway access to the lower patio/fire pit area outside the 
basement addition - aka Daddy's Cave.  

The bottom level is the Daddy Cave (basement). There are two doors on the outer walls and 
a big bay window in the center wall with smaller windows on either side of the bay. 


PHASE III
INTERIOR FRAMING

 Macka & Daddy are cooking up something yummy in the kitchen! 
To their left is the mudroom & half bath. 

This a view from the kitchen into the family room looking left.




PHASE IV 
THE INTERIOR GUTS - ELECTRICAL, PLUMBING, & HVAC

This is another view straight-on from the kitchen into the family room. 
Progress is being made. All electrical is wired, plumbing added/relocated and HVAC 
is being ducted (is that a verb?). 


The upstairs is getting finished with her facelift. Painting is complete, vanities are being 
stained, fixtures replaced, tile laid & faucets being installed. 






More pictures to come of Daddy's Cave & deck/landscaping progress in the next post. 

Moving on wEsT!!!

,

Our newest blessing in Western Shawnee! 
As the saying goes don't judge a book by its' cover. ;-) 

There is a MAJOR remodel/addition being added to our new house and it is going to take some time. So if you are in the KC area and have not seen us for a few months - it's because of the following pictures! And trying to maintain our 

"normal" schedule of preschool/CDO, karate, swim lessons & soccer.

 We are gutting the master bath and the entire kitchen area. 

Plus, giving the entire house a fresh look with new paint and new flooring!! 

We are expanding the kitchen area to make a great room (kitchen/living room space)! We are adding a mudroom and moving the half bath. There are multiple projects going on throughout the house at the same time. 
It is quite an amazing project!

The formal living room is currently being used as storage for materials etc. Since we decided to do the entire remodel at the same time, it only made sense for us to continue to live at 8812 until it is complete. 

We are so thankful we have this choice, living among this construction would be difficult with three kids under the age of 5. 

Break time - we have to make time for play. Our new backyard is another construction zone - with many projects going on as well. The Patrick kids' first backyard adventure - the brothers, the Knights are "building a castle" for their little sister, the Princess. 
While daddy builds mama's. ;-)

My little decorating diva - always willing to help pick out 
paint colors at HomeDepot! 

A driveway pizza party with our friend, Graham! 
The crew's gotta eat!

**This blog post took my about 2 months to finish. . . .  it's just crazy good busy here. . . . 

3 & 5 YEARS OLD!! Patrick Boys Growing uP!

Trey is 5!?!?!?!? It just can't be, can it!?!?!?

Trey is in 4 year old preschool this year. He goes every MWF with two long days on MW. He loves every minute of it. Of coarse, his favorite class is recess. He loves to ride bikes and have races with his friends. He is learning to write his 1st & last name and currently studying the body, especially the heart and how it operates. He takes karate, soccer & swimming - keeping very busy throughout the week. We have started to narrow down kindergarten schools. CAN HE REALLY BE IN KINDERGARTEN NEXT YEAR?!?!?!?

Trey is still unique with his hard working spirit - always has projects in the yard or around the house he tends to. He is a great helper around the house with his brother & sister, watching them while Mama runs to get the mail or emptying the small trashes around the house. (his favorite job that he acquired himself) He earns daily stars for making good choices and at the end of the week gets to choose one thing he would like to do with the whole family from swimming to going to the park.

Both boys enjoyed their trip to California to visit with lots of family. They had a blast on their first trip to Disney Land with Boompa Dave & Grandma Mima. And their trip to Hawaii to meet, for the first time their Uncle Adam & Aunty Yuka was awesome

!

These two boys have never met a body of water they did not enjoy! Each day at their own private beach was a new adventure from hunting hermit crabs to boogie boarding.

Trey & Carson are the best of friends. Pretty much everything they do, they do together. They love to feed their frogs and fish. Still building their puppy & T-rex dens. And will play for hours at time together.

Carson is 3 years old! It's hard to believable that three years have passed! Our lives have been enriched with an outgoing, energetic & lots of fun toddler turning into a preschooler right before all of our eyes.

He has "school" one day a week. Which he has a hard time going, but once he' there he loves it! His teachers rave about how they would "love to have a room full of Carsons!".

He plays soccer & takes swim lessons one day each a week. He excels at both sports, but much prefers to stay home in his own environment - not to share his brother, sister, Mama or Daddy to anyone else. ;-)

Carson loves to play cars & his favorite movie is Cars 2. And he loves a good ole' fashion PBJ.

OnE YeAr oLd!!!!!!!!!!!

It's hardly believable that our littlest angel is ONE!!! She has brought every bit of joy that one baby could bring a family.

She has definitely completed us and we just don't know what

we would do without her joyful smiles.

She is our little Princess Patrick. The first item of business in the morning for Trey & Carson is to look for their little sister. They love to play ball, sing & dance with her. MacKenzie Mae LOVES music! And has quite the dance moves already! (taking after her Mama) Trey & Carson are always on alert keeping their watchful little eyes over her. Especially when we are out & all the babies are crawling & toddling around - her two big brothers make sure she is 'safe' at all times. Seeing into the future, she's not going to be able to take too many missed steps with 4 watchful eyes watching over her every move. ;-)

In true girl fashion - she occupies her time with Grandma Mimi

at Uncle Adam & Aunty Yuka's wedding with a some

lipstick. Two beauties - for sure!

This is MacKenzie Mae's signature smile! When you give the 'cheese' signal - she hams it up!! In the beginning of the month she started pulling herself up on everything. The first week was a bit confusing to her - she could get up, but could not figure out how to get down. She would do the all too common cry for help to get her from the standing position to the seating position. Quickly she figured out that game and starting

cruising around tables & couches. Since her favorite table is the train table, the boys have lots of work to put together their track DAILY. Which they seem to find it kinda funny & call her - Macka-Attacka!

MacKenzie Mae's first experience at the beach in Hawaii was love at first sight. She never flinched for a second on the sand and crawled her way to the ocean immediately. She spent every day playing & napping in her favorite spot on the beach.