A Profile of Mom

Twelve days to go... We are about to go out and meet Lincoln and Darby for dinner at the Brownstone, but I had to take a picture of Jennifer so I could show everyone how much Annabel has grown!

Annabel's Nursery

New Years in Spanish Fort, AL/ Jessie, Mom and Dad's Dog

This cannon belongs to my parent's neighbor. I have never heard anything louder than this thing. He brought it out on New Years Day. Maybe to get back at Evan and all of us for our fireworks display the night before. I wanted a picture because I don't know too many people that can say their neighbor's have a cannon in their front yard. Plus, it is kind of fitting since my parents and my sister's family live in Spanish FORT, AL. Below is a little bit of history on the area for anyone that is interested.

"Spanish Fort, Alabama sits on a bluff overlooking Mobile Bay. It is rich with historic sites and artifacts including bunkers from the Civil War that remain to this day in Spanish Fort Estates. Spanish Fort, Alabama is widely known for its historical significance of the battles fought during the Civil War. The bluff sitting high above the Mobile bay with its gentle breezes blowing through the trees is a coveted place. The area draws bass fishermen, birdwatchers and nature lovers from all over the world. The Eastern Shore of Mobile Bay in Baldwin County is comprised of a group of small cities including; Spanish Fort, Daphne, Montrose, Fairhope and Point Clear.

The Spanish built a fort, originally a French Trading Post, during 1780 in modern-day Spanish Fort, Alabama. The Spanish took this area from the British during the American Revolutionary War. In 1781, The British attacked and destroyed the fort but the Spanish rebuilt it in 1799. Spanish Fort, Al was taken by the United States in 1814.

During the American Civil War, what is now Spanish Fort, was heavily fortified as an eastern defense to near by cities. Even after the Union victory in the Battle of Mobile Bay, Mobile still remained in the hands of the Confederates. In 1865 the Union Forces took on a land campaign to take Mobile from the East. During the Mobile Campaign of the American Civil War, Spanish Fort was the site of the Battle of Spanish Fort. The fall of Spanish Fort allowed the Union forces to move on to Fort Blakely which was to the north, and hence destroy the last organized resistance to northern occupation east of the Mississippi River. Troops were able to enter Mobile unopposed after the conclusion of the Civil War after the fall of Spanish Fort and Fort Blakely."

Jessie the Wonder Dog :)

Brodie and I spent New Years with my family in Alabama. We had a nice visit as always. We were able to play with Jessie, their Golden Retriever. We took her to a nearby "Dog Park", and she had a blast. She is very sweet and pretty, but she is kind of hyper since she is really only a puppy. Mom gave her to Dad last year for Christmas. She is the gift that keeps on giving (or taking if you count the two coverlets she has destroyed off their beds.) She just loves attention and always wants to play.

Lillian Grace Patterson - Born December 21, 2007

Chris and Melissa's Christmas Party - December 22, 2007

Chicago Baby Shower - Decemer 15, 2007

My good friends from college, Amanda Brooks and Melissa Triska and my sister, Terri Holley hosted a wonderful baby shower for me on December 15th at the University Club of Chicago. It was so fun to see everyone. Annabel received so many beautiful gifts, she is going to be all set when she arrives thanks to every one's generosity.

Snowy Night

Last night Chicago got about 5 inches of snow. It was so pretty. We finished putting up our Christmas tree. How quickly it goes from Fall to Winter here! Today I had my 29 week doctors appointment and all is going well.

Cubs Games

Made it to a few Cubs games this past season. Below are some pictures from when my brother, Walter, was in town in April.

Concerts

Tonight I discovered that there are a few things from earlier this year that I have not included in this blog. My next few posts will be about these events.

On a very cold February night (2/15/07) this past year we saw George Strait at the Sears Center Arena in Hoffman Estates, IL. We do not have any pictures from this concert but it was FANTASTIC!

Fellow country legend Ronnie Milsap served as a special guest and teen-aged singer Taylor Swift was the opening act. Ronnie Milsap and George Strait have so many number one hits. It was a really great show.

Below are pictures from the Willie Nelson concert.
Willie Nelson teamed with Merle Haggard and Ray Price for the "Last of the Breed Tour", March 25, 2007 in Rosemont, IL

Fall in Chicago and Thanksgiving in Texas

The trees on our street this fall were beautiful. So pretty that I had to have Brodie and Billy Dee pose for a picture. For Thanksgiving we went to Hughes Springs, TX (where Brodie's family is from/lives). We had a great time seeing everyone. Thanksgiving dinner was very big since there are so many grandchildren and great grandchildren. After dinner Brodie and I opened presents from his family for little Annabel. Dinner was at Brodie's cousin, Rocky's restaurant in Hughes Springs. We spent a few other nights there that week. On Saturday night they had a "hometown band" play. They were great and the restaurant had a pretty big crowd. It was nice to be back in Texas. We wish we could go more often. Billy Dee even enjoyed being in the country where he could take in all the scents and play with Panzer and Gretchen.