Weekend in Chicago

Luke and one of his business partners Mike had a financial conference in Chicago this last weekend and they decided to bring the wives and make it a quick get away. If I had to describe the weekend in one word I would say "food". We ate like it would all be taken away tomorrow, which is a pregnant lady's dream.

Architectural boat tour in the Chicago River

We took a boat tour in the Chicago River where the guide pointed out famous buildings and types of architecture. My favorite story... The O'Leary's barn where the Great Fire of Chicago started is now the Chicago Fire Department's training center. I like people with a sense of humor.

Gino's East

Mike said that this was THE legendary place to get real Chicago deep dish pizza, I am not one to argue about pizza so I was in! I was not disappointed! The walls are graffitied with thousands and thousands of names, floor to ceiling. We didn't write our names on the wall (although looking back...why not?? The Patterson's were here!) but we did get a picture.

Drinks at the hotel

W Chicago Lakeshore is right on Lake Michigan. Luke and Mike did run down and take a swim in the cold lake, wish I had gotten a picture, oh well.

The John Hancock Tower
The Hancock Tower has one of the best views of Chicago so we had to go up and get a drink (virgin for me).

English Bar
After the Hancock Tower we headed over to watch the last hour of the world cup US Algeria game. It was absolutely packed in there! I have to admit, for not being into soccer, it was pretty fun even though the US lost. It was fun to hear the crowd cheer in unison.

The Drake Hotel
The Drake is a beautiful hotel built in the 20's that has hosted some of the world's most famous people. The whole point of us going to the Drake was because of their famous Bloody Mary's (which of course I could not have) the bar was not open so we went upstairs for high tea (more fun in my book). It was fun to say you have had high tea where the Queen of England did.

Gene's and Georgetti's Restaurant
Again, Mike hooked us up for a fantastic dinner. Gene and Georgetti's Restaurant is famous for it's steaks and Italian food and was supposed to be one of Frank Sinatra's favorite places to eat in Chicago. I was not disappointed, the food was amazing! Now if Luke and Mike could have only lowered their voices when joking about the mafia while eating dinner...

Second City Comedy Club
After dinner we headed over to The Second City comedy club, which boasts famous alumni like John Candy, Jim and John Belushi, Tina Fey and Gilda Radner, for some sketch comedy.

We had a great time. Mike and Chantel were fun traveling buddies. The weather was fantastic and the people were great, minus a few terrifying cab rides.  And what Chicago trip would be complete with out a flight delay at Chicago's O'Hare Airport. I am glad we made it home safely. Until next time Chicago!!!

Pomp, Circumstance and a Fiesta

The big day finally came! Luke worked really hard for 2 long years and graduation day finally came! I really could not be prouder of him. He had been telling me for a very long time he wanted to go back to school. When the opportune time came he took it. He studied for months for the GMAT, then it was about which school he would go to. When he got into RICE we were so excited.

I really admire him for making the hard choice to go back to school for his MBA and also for the way he did it. He didn't just go with the plan to slide by and come out with a degree. He worked really hard and gave it 110%. We often had to turn down invitations from much loved friends, we put off vacations, weekend trips to the ranch and sometimes just an evening out. It paid off. His grades were excellent, often coming home with all A's (the proof is hanging on our fridge)! It was all so worth it when he comes home from work at the end of the day and tells me how he is applying the things he learned.

I so appreciated that he included me in the decision to go back to school. I noticed at Rice's spouse day that some were not given the same consideration. This was a sacrifice at the very beginning of our marriage. Even when it was tough and a little annoying that he was often not around I would think back to our conversations about this being an investment in our future and for our family.

This was a demanding program. They ask a lot from their students. Just when the student gets mad as hell and isn't going to take it anymore... the student buckles down and gets the project done and makes an A! I feel so blessed that Luke got to have such a great education. So, when graduation day came I made sure we celebrated it, shine and rain and shine!!!!

Luke getting his hood at the Investiture Ceremony on Friday afternoon.

Luke after the Investiture with his sister Jennifer and nieces Kaylie and Noe.

My parents with Luke and I.

The weather was really bad on graduation day, so no pictures outside but I did get him graduating on video!

The Fiesta!

Sunday afternoon we finally got to celebrate. We threw Luke a fiesta at my parents house. Fajitas, margaritas, tees, flip flops and a little Texas country music was what sounded good to us after 2 long years of hard work. Luke and I both were so touched that our friends and family came out to celebrate with us.

The only thing I am kicking myself over is the fact that I forgot to pull out the camera until the end of party!

The tables and patio were decorated so cute! I must get better about taking pictures before little Kung Pao arrives!

I did get a few pics of our friends though.

Luke with BJ and Diana, two other MBA superstars!

They were in Luke's group the first and last semester. I can't say enough good things about them! Anyone who has been through an MBA program knows that your group can make your life easier or harder. This group was a well oiled machine!

Lori, Michael, Joanna and Wayne.

Andy, Kevin and Nathan. Luke's good friends from collage.

Jenny and Ben. Ben started the MBA program at Rice this last year.

In the end, this was such a blessing. I am glad he had this opportunity...and I am glad it's done!

IT'S A ...

BOY!

We could not be more excited to FINALLY know what our baby is! This is a video of our active little guy!




I went into the ultra sound room first and got to see him while he was performing. When they brought Luke in for the big reveal, little one had fallen asleep.




We are completely amazed and can't wait to meet him!

Introducing... Kung Pao

We are so excited to tell everyone that our first baby is due in September!

I don't think Luke and I would be getting off on the right foot as parents if we didn't share our sonogram pictures.

The 12 week sonogram was A-MAZING! Little Kung Pao was putting on a show! The technician got really tickled when she saw the baby stretched out with these long legs and snapped this picture for me. This shot is from the waist down. Looks like Patterson legs to me!

Why Kung Pao, you ask? We needed a name for our little he/she and "it" just wasn't doing it for me. We decided on Kung Pao because the only cravings I have had have been for Chinese, Thai and Japanese Hibachi food. This baby may have some hidden Asian roots!

Needless to say that Luke and I are so excited! Our house is active with baby plans and we are hustling to get our house completed by September.

 

We now wait patiently for the sex and the next sonogram. We are taking votes on whether it's a boy or girl, leave yours!

What Were They Thinking?! The Story of Our Pre- Renovated Home in Pictures.

407 O C D






Closing day! So young... so innocent.





The whole reason we bought this home was the patio in the center of the house.






Ugly.





Yuck.






It's ALL gotta go!






Uh, blue Formica and tile and appliances from 1978.






It's ALL gotta go!






The master bedroom bare.





The master bath. Clearly...


You can see we had our work cut out for us. Nothing stayed! We have replaced light fixtures, plumbing fixtures, all interior and exterior doors, knocked out a wall in the dining room, the kitchen overhauled, the living room demo-ed, bathrooms face lifted, bedrooms carpeted and a myriad of other things. The things in currently in progress and things still to come? New floors through out, new face on the fireplace, face lift to the front of the house and landscaping and the interior patio (which we can't wait to do!).

I look at these pictures and get such a laugh! I can't believe the bank even let us buy the house!!! The house did not have toilets! Which, by the way, was good with us. The previous owner actually saved us quite a bit of demo work since it was already a work in progress. You may wonder why we bought this crazy ugly house that needed so much work. Aside from the fact that it's in a great neighborhood, we just loved the bones of the house! We walked in and knew we could make it a great looking house. It felt like ours from the very beginning.

We still have quite a bit of work to do although we are nearing the end. Progress and pictures to come!

Where Are They Now?

If it seems as though we dropped off the face of the planet after we got married, you're close. We have been remodeling our home, Luke started the MBA program at Rice University in August 2008 and we have both  been working almost non-stop. All of these things together add up to a poor social life. We hope that after 2 years some of our friends remember who we are and forgive us for all of the things we missed.

We are finally about to come out the other side! The house will be finished this summer, Luke will graduate in May and I will still be working non-stop but as a mother (and still as a stylist) starting in September.

We have had a great couple of years and have been blessed in many ways. I thought this would be a good way to chronicle our challenges, triumphs and the fruits of our labor and keep up with family and friends who are a long ways away.

We look forward to rejoining planet earth in just a couple months! Enjoy!

Love,

The Patterson's