And Two Become Three

Children's Museum

noreply@blogger.com (Emily Patterson-Jackson) — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 01:15:00 +0000

I love the HUGE grin on Cohen's face as the carosel is getting ready to start!

Children's Museum

noreply@blogger.com (Emily Patterson-Jackson) — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 04:01:00 +0000

I thought it was so sweet when Cohen crawled over and gently picked up this baby doll...and then of course he proceeded to take a big bite out of its head!

Group Christmas Celebration!

noreply@blogger.com (Emily Patterson-Jackson) — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 03:24:00 +0000

Best. Christmas. Party. Ever. 'Nough said.

Shelli & Aaron

Sarah & Jeff

Em & Sam

Margie & Dan

Unabombers Margie & Dan

Getting ready for dinner!

For our Christmas gift exchange we have to give gifts that we find in our home! Shelli opens her gift, courtesy of Sarah's night stand!

Dan is super stoked about his bacon wallet!

Sam enjoys his gift, courtesy of Jeff's night stand!

Jeff won big with Dan's high school year book, and Sarah gets 8x10's of the Alts and Sam! Sweet!

Aaron likes his "World's Best Boss" and "Employee of the Year" mugs!

Em is excited to grab books from the Elliott library!

Jeff & Dan practicing for their upcoming Gap ad!

What's a Christmas party without a little Jenga!

Christmas Dinner @ The Enases!

noreply@blogger.com (Emily Patterson-Jackson) — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 03:06:00 +0000

Thanks to the Enases for opening up their home for our Christmas dinner! Great food, friends and games! :-)

The girls loved their Christmas gifts - Jacob Twilight Sweet Tarts!

Megan, Em, Robyn & Shannon

Megan & Aaron

Mike & Shannon

I love Failblog.org!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Emily Patterson-Jackson) — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 01:30:00 +0000

If you've never taken a looksie at http://www.failblog.org/ it's pretty darn funny! Here's some of the best of the best! Enjoy!

Wow, that was quick!

This is totally something MY people would do! Merry Christmas Rudolph!

Ahh, out of the mouths of high schoolers!

Yep, this should work.

Some of you with appreciate this WAY more than others! You know who you are! :-)

Dude, stay in school.

Um yeah, maybe if Pretty Princess moonlights as a hooker.

Um...Wow.

Poor Santa!

But it's okay to eat them on the sidewalks.

I...have...no...words. Is anyone else a little frightened?

The Christmas Walk @ Metamora!

noreply@blogger.com (Emily Patterson-Jackson) — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 20:51:00 +0000

A long standing family tradition, we took Cohen to his first Christmas Walk at Metamora this past Saturday. It's a cute little "Nashville-ish" town that they decorate and light with luminaries for Christmas. We've been going since Lindsay and I were little girls!

Children's Museum

noreply@blogger.com (Emily Patterson-Jackson) — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 01:38:00 +0000

Thanks to an early Christmas gift for Cohen from my aunt, we were able to buy our own Children's Museum membership today! So you can look forward to seeing many more pics of Cohen at the museum! [I know you are thinking..."there can be MORE pics???"]

I let Cohen play in the water for the first time today...he LOVED it!!!

I just happened to get this shot...Cohen's bracing for impact as the little boy in the blue apron launches his toy at Cohen's head!

Christmas at the Zoo!

noreply@blogger.com (Emily Patterson-Jackson) — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 03:12:00 +0000

Thanks to Shannon & Mike for letting us be your +2 once more! :-) We had a great time at the Indy Zoo looking at all of the beautiful Christmas lights!

Petting the sharks!

The Vierling bunch!

A few animals...

...and lights!

Having some fun with my camera and the lights!

Shannon & Em

Jolly Days @ The Children's Museum

noreply@blogger.com (Emily Patterson-Jackson) — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 03:09:00 +0000

We took advantage of The Children's Museum's free first Thursday of the month and took Cohen to visit Santa during Jolly Days!

The Cutest Little Elf!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Emily Patterson-Jackson) — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 03:14:00 +0000

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Dessert Theater @ Grace

noreply@blogger.com (Emily Patterson-Jackson) — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 03:48:00 +0000

Tonight in lieu of our Wednesday night Bible study, our group volunteered to serve dessert at Grace's Dessert Theater production of A Miracle on 34th St. We had a great time! I just love hanging out with my besties!

Shelli, Sarah & Aaron on water duty!

Margie working her magic!

And I didn't drop a single one!

Sarah & Dan on seating duty!

Ouch! Those are a bit hot!

How cute are we!?! :-)

Dan & Margie, Jeff & Sarah, Aaron & Shelli, and Sam & Em

Shelli & Aaron

What a sweet picture of Margie & Dan!

And there's the Dan & Margie we love!

Jeff Gibbs & Sarah

Sam & Em

Oh, PETA [insert ridiculously long sigh and eye roll here]

noreply@blogger.com (Emily Patterson-Jackson) — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 21:02:00 +0000

"Critics Blast PETA Ad Showing Nude Joanna Krupa Holding Crucifix" http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2009/12/01/critics-blast-peta-advertisement-nude-model-crucifix/?test=faces

I have two questions I'd like to ask PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals): 1) what does sex/naked bodies have to do with saving animals? 2) A crucifix? Really???

Most of us are probably aware of PETA's history of using "shock" ads with provacative naked bodies (women's of course) to promote animal rights. And in a way, I guess I kind of get it...I mean sex sells, right? And their whole campaign of "I'd rather go naked than wear fur" at least kind of makes sense in a twisted sort of way. That being said though, I still think it's ridiculous to think that sex sells EVERYTHING. I'm mean clothes, I guess, and cars, maybe...but animal rights? Really? What on earth does sex have to do with animals? Ewww!

But that brings me to my second question: why would they use a crucifix? Understandably, a lot of Christians and religious organizations are upset and offended by the ad. Deal Hudson, publisher of an online Catholic magazine brings up a good point when he said, "It's another instance of disrespect for Christianity and another example of the kind of abuse that would never occur with any other major religion, because the outcry would be so immediate and so loud that the people behind it would immediately retreat." And I have to say that I agree with Hudson. Can you imagine the outcry if she was posing nude behind the Jewish Star of David or the Muslim symbol of Allah? I don't see any possible, reasonable explanation for the inclusion of Christian icons. I too find it extremely distasteful and offensive. Miss Krupa's response to the criticism: "As a practicing Catholic, I am shocked that the Catholic League is speaking out against my PETA ads. I am doing what the Catholic church should be doing, working to stop the senseless suffering of animals, the most defenseless of God's creation." Oh my...poor little ignorant Playboy model. Of course this is also the woman who recently said that posing nude is empowering for women...but that's another post entirely.

The Girl Effect

noreply@blogger.com (Emily Patterson-Jackson) — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 22:11:00 +0000

If any of you had a chance to watch Oprah on Tuesday (if not, I strongly encourage everyone to check it out on hulu or some other place) it was a phenomenal show! Her guest was Nicholas Kristof, a Pulitzer Prize winning journalist and op-ed columnist for the New York Times. He has traveled around the world, writing specifically about the plight of women, especially in war ravaged, developing countries. His stories are heart breaking and eye opening! We are so sheltered here in suburbia, I just can't imagine that if these women were being killed, raped and beaten right on our doorstep that we would still sit by and do nothing. Check out Kristof's new book "Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide."

http://www.amazon.com/Half-Sky-Oppression-Opportunity-Worldwide/dp/0307267148/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1259791353&sr=8-1

You can also go to Oprah's website for information on a bunch of different ways to get involved.

http://www.oprah.com/dated/oprahshow/oprahshow-20090901-nicholas-kristof

O' Christmas Tree!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Emily Patterson-Jackson) — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 04:05:00 +0000

Our beautiful tree, with the lower branches a little sparse this year so as not to tempt little fingers! :-)

Jackson Family Thanksgiving!

noreply@blogger.com (Emily Patterson-Jackson) — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 04:11:00 +0000

On Saturday the family gathered at Kevin and Alicia's house for the Jackson family Thanksgiving! As always...lots of great food (thanks Alicia!), great games, and a lot of laughs!

Russ, Stacy, Sandy & Andy playing a board game called "Pandemic" - a game where you try to save the world from a deadly infectious pandemic disease. Sounds like a real pick-me-up! :-)

Sam and sis, Michele

Sam & Cohen

Russ & Andy got dish duty this year...and they are not happy about it! :-)

Some play time!

Our future Beethoven! :-)

Tickling the ivories with cousin Rowan!

Rowan and her Sammy!

He's got the whole world in his hand!

The Lighting of the Christmas Tree!

noreply@blogger.com (Emily Patterson-Jackson) — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 03:58:00 +0000

We took Cohen downtown to see his first lighting of the Christmas tree on Monument Circle (along with Russ & Michele)! It's hard to believe that 15 years ago on that same night, Sam and I had our first date when we went down to see the Christmas tree lighting! WOW! 15 years!!! And now we could bring our son along with us! Very cool!

All bundled up and ready for the lights to turn on!

3...2...1....LIGHTS!!!

Michele & Russ

Patterson Family Thanksgiving!

noreply@blogger.com (Emily Patterson-Jackson) — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 03:43:00 +0000

Before heading over to my parents' house for Thanksgiving we made a quick stop by the Elliotts (to crash their family Thanksgiving! :-) because Cohen had woken up with what I thought was some sort of blistery chicken pox-like rash on his arm, and I wanted Shelli's opinion on it. Turns out the poor little guy got mauled by a spider that some how got into his pj's!

The Sweater Vest Babies...Sitota & Cohen!

Aunt Karol, Uncle Bruce & Cohen!

Karol & Cohen

Grandma Jina & Cohen

Mom and Dad pretty much let Cohen do whatever he wants! And apparently he likes to be swung around on the floor inside a laundry basket!

Mimi, Grandpa & Cohen

Burqa Barbie...REALLY???

noreply@blogger.com (Emily Patterson-Jackson) — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 03:11:00 +0000

Not that I've ever been a huge fan of Barbie - I mean, really, who looks that perky and did she and Ken really have to "divorce" a couple of years ago? - but for me, the new Burqa Barbie is just going a bit too far. Now granted, the Burqa Barbie is part of a collection that is being auctioned at Sotheby's for the benefit of the charity, Save the Children. And I do agree with the designer's explanation that every girl deserves to have a Barbie to play with that best represents her own heritage and ethnicity. But does the Barbie corporation really want to reinforce the ideology behind the burqa? My favorite quote (heavy sarcasm intended!) from the burqa Barbie designer was, "I know Barbie was something seen as bad before as an image for girls, but in actual fact the message with Barbie for women is you can be whatever you want to be." I just can't support Barbie's decision to endorse a message to our young girls that says: You can be whatever you want to be, as long as it fits within the tight confines of what the men who "own" you allow...and as long as you don't show your face."

New Moon...Um, Yes Please!

noreply@blogger.com (Emily Patterson-Jackson) — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 02:43:00 +0000

The girls and I went to see New Moon this afternoon! YUM!!! I have never been in a theater with more giggling, squealing girls before...who just happened to be in their 30s! :-) It was fabulous! There was a ripple of nervous giggling the first time Edward stepped onto the screen, but there was outright hooting and hollering the first time Jacob took off his shirt! So funny! I only wish Jacob was a few years older so I didn't feel so guilty drooling over him! :-)

Megan is definitely "Team Edward!"

Waiting for the movie to start!

Ahhh! Post New Moon bliss!!!

One of us, who shall remain nameless - we'll just call her Wobyn - wouldn't cooperate and pose for the picture! So I had to do some creative photographing to get her in the frame! :-)

Shhh! Don't tell but I just might be "Team Jacob!"

Children's Museum

noreply@blogger.com (Emily Patterson-Jackson) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:40:00 +0000

Cohen and I met Shannon and Luke for a day of fun at the Children's Museum (thanks Shannon for getting us in free :-)

First we visited the "Egypt" exhibit!

Cohen loves playing in "Playscape!"

Move Your Feet So Others Can Eat!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Emily Patterson-Jackson) — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 02:58:00 +0000

Before we dig into the turkey and dressing, join Sam, Cohen and me Thanksgiving morning for the 7th annual Drumstick Dash! It's a 4.5 mile walk/run (with the option of doing a shorter 2.3 mile course) that benefits Wheeler Mission in downtown Indy! If you're unfamiliar with the organization, Wheeler Mission provides meals for homeless men, women and children in Indianapolis. They also provide overnight stays for homeless men, as well as distribute household and clothing items to those in need.

The Drumstick Dash is located in Broad Ripple on Thursday, November 26 at 9:00 a.m. Registration is $22 per person (there's also a family rate) or $25 the day of the race. It's a great way to spend some time together and get a little exercise before the eating begins! We had a great time last year doing the dash! And it's for a great cause!

For more info go to:

http://www.tuxbro.com/Drumstick%20dash%20entry%20info.htm

Happy Birthday, Margie!

noreply@blogger.com (Emily Patterson-Jackson) — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 02:15:00 +0000

Last Saturday we all got together at the 8 Second Saloon to celebrate Margie's birthday with a little country line dancing!

Getting ready to start the lesson!

Trying to learn the steps!

Check out our sweet dance moves!

We all got a huge kick out of watching Russ ride the mechanical bull!

Unfortunately, our entertainment was short lived when the bull popped a spring at the end of Russ' ride!

First Shots

noreply@blogger.com (Emily Patterson-Jackson) — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 01:45:00 +0000

Such a sad little face! Poor baby!!!

Country Line Dancing At Stables!

noreply@blogger.com (Emily Patterson-Jackson) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 02:45:00 +0000

Last Friday we had a heck of a good time kicking up our heels country line dancing at a bar called Stables!

Even Sam participated in one of the lessons!

Doing the Oklahoma Waltz!

Robyn got a dance lesson from an old dude...

...and then he got a little "something-something" in return! Hee hee :-)

Picture Time!

noreply@blogger.com (Emily Patterson-Jackson) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 14:54:00 +0000

Our first family pictures at Portrait Innovations in Westfield!