All I Want for Christmas is a Piano. What, too much?

 I used to play the piano every day.  

In college, it became more like every week. 

Unfortunately, my piano time has withered to whenever Patrick is home, Hayden is napping, and we don't have something else we should be doing.  Basically, never.  However, I recently heard a song on iTunes and become obsessed.  I downloaded the music online and found time to play this weekend while Patrick was home.  

I'm a little rusty, but I can't deny I miss playing in front of others.

I know most of you have never really seen me play (Chirstmas carols from a kid's book don't count).  So, as a request I uploaded a video of my playing a song from the new movie Twilight (I feel like a teenager posting to YouTube!!!).

Chrismahanukwanzakah

In the spirit of inclusion,

Happy Chrismahanukwanzakah!

Holiday seasons are always busy (even for the most organized among us), and we have certainly been no exception! We had a wonderful visit to Boston/ NH for Thanksgiving with the Regan/ Quinn clan. I think back to my first introductions to the Quinns and am amazed at how quickly Hayden picks up on everyone’s names. Granted, to him everyone is a cousin (yes, even you Nancy and Papa), but the kid is impressive! As usual, he jumped right in the fray playing with his blocks, ping-pong, or hide and seek with anyone who happened to be walking past. Maybe he doesn’t get enough attention at home??

Always the ham, Hayden also shared all of his new catchphrases… my favorite being “Are you kidding me?” On our last night in Boston, Hayden was riding Michael’s suitcase around the apartment like it was a toy. All of a sudden he noticed Michael trailing behind him, stopped in his tracks, and turned around and asked “Are you followin’ me?”

The big boy also turned 3 last Friday! All day, Hayden walked up to people holding up 5 fingers saying “I’m free”. We celebrated at the bowling alley, which has quickly become one of Hayden’s favorite things. Well, it’s either bowling or the video games…one can never be sure! I have officially finished my last round of classes and will begin student teaching (3rd grade, then kindergarten) in January 2009 at a public school around the corner from Hayden’s daycare. Meanwhile, Patrick is still working hard at the Legal Center & School. This weekend is the JAG Blues Reception (pictures to follow), so we will be out of cell phone range (aka in Charlottesville).

Patrick's New Digs

After a long (ten 12hr days) and arduous stint at Ft. Lee in Petersburg, VA, Patrick has finally completed his in-processing for active service.  Now he is living in Charlottesville at The Judge Advocate General's Legal Center and School until February 2009.

After his first week, Hayden and I went to Charlottesville for Patrick's 26th birthday and a quick weekend visit.  The JAG school is up the hill from UVA main campus and next door to UVA Law School.  Patrick certainly lucked out and managed to get a room slightly larger than other hotel rooms up on the 4th floor of the building overlooking the front entrance flag and the hills of Charlottesville. 

Throughout the school, the JAGs cover a series of topics: administrative and civil law, criminal law and legal ethics, contract and fiscal law, legal research and writing, and international and operational law.  They also are given the opportunity to compete for slots in upcoming Airborne or Air Assault Schools, but Patrick is already Airborne qualified thanks to a summer at Ft. Benning, unlike many of the other officers (we always knew he was special). 

Hayden and I will next be visiting Charlottesville for a semi-formal Blues Reception in December and a quick luncheon explaining etiquette for military spouses.  Otherwise, Patrick has the weekends off and will be coming home to Richmond!

Patrick's Room: What I call the bedroom, study, and veranda 

Patrick's Room: Also known as the living room and kitchen. 

View from Patrick's "veranda"

Spidey Does Halloween

Spiderman (secret identity Hayden Michael Regan) truly enjoyed himself this Halloween.... I'm sure the heaping bag full of candy helped. 

Since Hayden is older and more willing to approach strangers with candy, we decided to leave our small neighborhood of townhouses and trick or treat elsewhere.  Hanover Street is just outside downtown Richmond and is known for being an over-the-top spot for Trick or Treating.  Each year, the papers report thousands of kids (and a few creepy adults) descend on the small urban neighborhood.  Houses are covered in spiderwebs, tombstones decorate front lawns, and the streets are crawling with bananas, transformers, care bears, and princesses... costumes, that is.  Most of the houses were hosting Halloween parties while merrily handing out candy.... we did not have to knock on a single door because most of these partiers had spilled onto the front porches (or the families had just learned to sit on their steps and wait).  

 Some of our college friends insisted on Trick or Treating with Hayden, and I thought it would be nice to have a few extra pairs of eyes to watch the little guy.  However, Hayden ended up yelling at Mommy the princess and our friends (a bee, Strawberry Shortcake, a bowler, and Chuck Bass from Gossip Girl) to "hurry up... we're Trick or Treaning!"  All in all, a fun last Halloween in Richmond, VA.  I guess we should plan next year's costume around a raincoat... Maybe a 3 year old Gordon's Fisherman will be patrolling Tacoma next year!

Making Strides

Thank you so much to everyone that helped me with my Making Strides Against Breast Cancer campaign!!  The event was held in downtown Richmond earlier this month with approximately 7,000 people participating.  I raised a total of $920.... the biggest fundraiser on anyone on my team! I couldn't have done it without the generous support of amazing family and friends.   Thank you all!     

~ Katy

HALLOWEEN PICS COMING SOON!

Seattle or Bust!

Our last 24 hours have certainly been a roller coaster. Patrick passed the bar. YAY! Then we were found out our base assignment would be chosen from one of the leftovers since many others had already received their assignments. BOO! After a long day of waiting, we heard we will be moving to Ft. Lewis in Tacoma, Washington summer of 2009. YAY! But not to be outdone, Patrick was told not to show up for work on Monday as his project was terminated and he had been laid off. Definite BOO! Granted, he had just told them Thursday of next week would be his last day.

We got the news earlier this afternoon, but we've already been researching the Tacoma area. It's about 40 miles south of Seattle, right on Puget Sound. Based on our early online house search (yes, we're that excited), there are truly some beautiful areas. Ft. Lewis is home to the 1st Corps and home to the Stryker Brigade, so Patrick is happy to be surrounded by what sounds like a strong group of soldiers.

Next up, where will Katy go for student teaching in January?

It's always something, isn't it?

Virginia State Fair

Last night we went to the Virginia State Fair and saw  little bit of everything from albino sheep getting "haircuts", an elpaca that looked like it wanted to snack on Hayden, mini horses, racing ducks, the biggest slide you've ever seen, a Demolition Derby (we are in Virginia), and monkeys riding ponies.  We had heard rumors of monkeys riding motorcycles and Hayden had been talking about them all day, but he certainly didn't seem disappointed.  We didn't expect Hayden to want to participate in any of the rides (certainly not one of the three Ferris Wheels), but he had other ideas.  First, he wanted to go down the giant slide, then he wanted to ride in a racecar, and finally we decided to try on of the kiddie truck rides.   Patrick and Hayden patiently waited in line and Hayden picked out his shiny purple truck, but when Patrick buckled him in and walked away the giant bottom lip came out.  So, the rides didn't exactly work out!

          

Our favorites? Hayden liked the monkeys who danced around a small stage wearing ridiculous costumes and rode ponies.  And of course, he loves his new Spiderman balloon!  Patrick reverted back to a 5 yr old when he saw The Great American Duck Race straight from New Mexico... those birds are fast!!!  Katy liked the funnel cakes, the animals - smell and all, the funnel cakes, watching Hayden's confused face trying to figure out what those crazy chimps were doing, and um... funnel cakes.   

Spiderman, Batman, and Ironman.... Oh My!

It's my favorite time of year... decorating for Halloween, simmering mulling spices, and picking our pumpkins (but mostly the decorating part).   For past Halloweens, Hayden has dressed as a lion and a pirate, so we have naturally been thinking about this year's costume.  After a recent visit to historic Williamsburg - no we weren't sightseeing - we at least know Hayden's ideas.

Last weekend, we met some of the New Jersey Regans (Danny, Kathy, Haley, Kerry, and Grace) who were enjoying a little vacation at Busch Gardens in Williamsburg.  As usual, we all got tremendous enjoyment watching Hayden and company run around the restaurant so we did what any parent would do after a long day and decided to add sugar to the equation!  While sitting outside Friendly's and enjoying our ice cream sundaes, cones, milkshakes, and banana splits, Hayden began to tell everyone what they were going to be for Halloween.  Grace was to be a butterfly, but the rest of us were some variation of superhero with Hayden rotating between Spiderman, Batman, or Ironman.  The only constant?  Danny was the Joker.  

Hayden the Ham

Thanks to daycare, Hayden knows all sorts of fun (and often annoying) songs. And boy does he like to sing for anyone that will listen!  I've recently taught him and Patrick Oma's "Good Morning, Have a Happy Day" song.  Josh, Ali, and I would cringe each school morning when we'd hear Oma come in our rooms singing the overly-enthusiastic song.  At first, Hayden would refuse to get out of bed until Mommy sang the "Happy Day song".  But now, it has become my favorite way - largely because it is their least favorite way - to wake up on those particularly stubborn mornings (wink)!

With all of Hayden's music wafting through our home, it seems only fitting that we share his musical talents with you!  Now if only Patrick would get me a piano....

Our first true military experience...

We have been anxiously awaiting a call from the LT COL in charge of base assingments for the 2008 JAG Class. Well, the magical Sept 15 date came and went with no word. Eventually, after calling the LT COL herself, we found out that we will not be placed anywhere until it is confirmed that Patrick passed the bar!

Bad news: More waiting. Welcome to the Army!

Good news: We were told we'll definitely get one of our top choices, with the exception of Alaska or Kentucky (which is just fine since they weren't my favorites anyway....but hey, something had to come before Korea!).

Next magical date? October-ish.

So it is either:

Europe

Ft. Bragg, NC

Ft. Sam Houston, TX

Ft. Stewart, GA

Ft. Jackson, SC

Ft. Gordon, GA

Well, Katy is in class on Monday and Tuesday nights so that means it is quality time for Hayden and me.  Katy has two classes this semester (Technology in the classroom and Teaching Mathematics), and then she does student teaching next semester.  Soooo, since she is in class now and Hayden has just gone to bed, I thought I would post some new pictures.  Mostly from the OBX.  

Beachin' It

Patrick, Hayden, and I met up with the Fultons for a little vacation in the Outer Banks, NC. We all had a great time, including Hayden who has figured out he wants to grow up and be a beach bum. I guess we can't all have high standards. It was especially nice for Patrick to unwind after a long couple of months preparing for the VA Bar Exam.

Here are some of the best pics...

Keeping up with the Regans

It seems we're overflowing with pictures or funny Hayden stories these days, so what better way to share than win a blog!  We'll try to update as often as possible and include pictures, podcasts, whatever!  Any suggestions, just let us know in the "Comments" section!  

Talk to you all soon!

The Richmond (for now) Regans