Our Family

Happy Birthday Myah!

2012-01-19T19:23:00.000-08:00

I can't believe my little girl is one today! This year has gone by so fast! I love you so much, Myah! You were so worth the wait, and I am so lucky to be your mom. You bring so much joy and laughter to our family and I can't wait to see what the future brings. :

Big move!!!

2011-09-24T17:17:00.000-07:00

To the people who know us well, it is no surprise that we have really been struggling financially. So, when I got offered a great new job in Utah, we really had to consider it. After lots of prayers and lots of tears, we decided that Utah was where we were supposed to be. The Lord has made sure we could get here, too. We got a reimbursement from our mortgage company that covered the moving costs. Then, we found someone to rent our house before we were even out of it. Finally, Ryan just found a job up here, so we are all set! It has been very difficult leaving our family behind, but I think in the long run, it will be great for our family. So now, we call South Jordan, Utah our home!

Finding light in the darkness

2011-08-08T14:23:00.000-07:00

See the nastiness of the dark clouds? Well, that's how I've been feeling lately. I'm not sure if it's sleep deprivation, a bit of post partum depression, or just life right now, or maybe a combination of it all. Things are not easy right now, and I feel like I'm grasping for, well, just about anything. Finances,work, and health all need some fixing!
The past couple of years have been the first time in my life that I really don't have any really good friends. I have friends but you know that really good best friend you can call just to cry to, laugh with, share moments with, ect. And I am missing that!
As I'm writing this, I can hear the song "Count your blessings" going through my head. I'm really not trying to have a pity party, but am using this more a journal entry. Just as in the picture above, there are breaks in the clouds. My incredible children, my loving husband, my sweet family, and my Saviour. I know in the end I will come out stronger, but man the end is hard to find sometimes!

You're how old???

2011-08-08T12:05:00.000-07:00

I can not believe 4 years have gone by since Gavin was born! Gavin, you have changed my world for the better. You truly are the light of my life and I am so grateful that I get to call you my son. You are incredible!

Gavin chose to have his party at Bounce U this year. It is filled for inflatable bounce houses and slides. He had all his friends and family come and bounce the morning away! It was great fun! Here are some pictures:

"I'm 4!"

The kids getting ready for cake!

Grandma Lori and Holly

Grandpa Dan even got in on the fun!

King for the day- Gavin!

Myah and my niece Rhiley loved this silly thing!

Gavin's awesome Star Wars cake!

All (well almost all) the kids!

Grandma Debbie and Myah

Thank you to everyone who came. Gavin felt like the King and had a wonderful day! You all mean the world to us!

Summer Fun

2011-07-12T14:22:00.001-07:00

Myah and Minnie at my niece's birthday party. She was sooo excited for Minnie.. she was squealing, reaching and kicking and trying to jump off my lamp.. so Minnie picked her up and then Myah started screaming within 10 seconds.. she decided that was TOO close! hah

Myah's 1st baby cookie.. boy did she love it!

Gavin and my niece Rhiley at Redrock over Memorial Day weekend

Myah's 1st time in the pool.. she has become quite the fish and now loves the water just like her brother! Gavin has been taking swim lessons for the past month and is now swimming 4 or 5 feet all by himself.. he is doing so good! He has also learned how to spell his name..I sure love my kids.. I am a very proud mama!

Looking cute in her hat!

Spring 2011

2011-07-09T10:56:00.000-07:00

Gavin's Preschool class

Gavin on his last day of school

Myah- 4 months

Easter

Gavin "driving" with Daddy

So, once again, I am so far behind on my posting! We have had a great couple of months. Myah gets bigger and is doing a little more all the time. Gavin is getting so big, I can hardly stand it! He finished his first half a year of preschool and has learned a lot! Here are some highlights from Spring!

Gavin on his Easter Egg hunt

Myah - 3 months old

Sorry about the weirdness of this post... I couldn't get things to work properly!! :)

Family Pictures

2011-04-06T15:45:00.000-07:00

We decided it was time for new family pictures last month. We got so many great ones. Here are a few of my favorites. It was hard to choose, because I am pretty sure I have the cutest kids ever! :)

Time is FLYING by!

2011-04-06T15:35:00.001-07:00

I can't believe it is April already. Myah is now 11 weeks old and has grown and changed so much! In the past few months, she has had her blessing, started smiling, had surgery to repair a hernia, and is now starting to giggle. It is very few and far between, but it is coming! We have had a great couple of months. Here are some highlights..

Myah's 1st dress. She's so cute

Myah's 1st smile caught on camera

Gavin, my sister and her family came down for Myah's blessing and we all went bowling. We had a great time! Nap time with Daddy and Gavin. Isn't she a beauty?!?

Have you seen anything sweeter?

Blessing Day"Am I gorgeous, or what?"

"Faith in God includes faith in His timing"

2011-02-01T13:18:00.000-08:00

After what seems like forever, we have finally added to our family!! Most of you know what a whirlwind this was for us. From not thinking we could have more kids, to over a year on the adoption waiting list, to a still small whisper telling me to talk to my doctor and that I could have another baby. A few months later, we were pregnant.

Our sweet baby girl, Myah Kay Vanus, was born January 19, 2011 at 2:52 pm. She was a whopping 8lbs 14oz and 19 inches long. She is incredible. She is sweet, loving, beautiful, stubborn, and more than I could have asked for. And although I thought I needed another baby a year and a half ago, I know the Lord's timing was better then mine. The timing is perfect and Gavin is so in love with her that it melts my heart. I am so grateful for her and the wonderful blessing I have been given to have her in my life.

Meeting my daughter for the first time

Ryan and Myah

Myah Kay

Big brother Gavin and little sister Myah

Myah

Christmas!

2011-01-28T12:11:00.000-08:00

Christmas for us is never complete without a trip to the Magical Forest. I love that place. There is something about all the lights and the hot chocolate that really puts me in the Christmas mood. This year, we went with some friends, the Wikler's. We has a great time.

Our family picture..I was very pregnant!

Gavin and Emma, his future girlfriend

On Christmas, we opened presents at our house. Then, we went to my mom's with all my family, and then it was over to the Vanus's. It was a busy, but great day!

Gavin's goods from Santa

Gavin in his new Christmas outfit.

We set up our camera and even caught Santa getting the presents out for Gavin! Gavin was amazed by this!

Gavin, Andrew, and Jack at my Mom's

Ryan

Broken Arm :(

2011-01-28T12:04:00.000-08:00

A couple days before Christmas, Gavin had a little accident. While playing at my sister's house, Gavin decided to try to climb the ladder to the top of my nephew's bunk bed ( he knows he's not allowed) and slipped. He landed on his elbow, and broke the bottom of his humorous. He was not a happy camper! He got a very cool green cast and let everyone sign it. Luckily, his arm has healed well, and he got his cast off yesterday!

Holidays, Holidays, Holidays!

2010-12-28T13:45:00.000-08:00

I am eternally behind, but here are some highlights from Halloween and Thanksgiving. Better late then never, right???

Gavin was Spiderman this year-the cutest Spiderman I have ever seen that is! We went to our ward Trunk-or-Treat a few days early and then went trick-or-treating with his cousins on Halloween. Lots of candy and fun was had by all!

Our finished products (ours- has the tongue sticking out and the witch)

Every year Eric and Amy host a pumpkin carving party at their house. We had a great time as usual, even though Gavin hated the pumpkin guts- one touch was enough for him! ha

Carving pumpkins

Gavin riding the train at the pumpkin patch with Janeil, Rhiley, Austin, and Emma

Posing for his mandatory picture at the pumpkin patch

This year for Thanksgiving, we went to my Uncle Eric and Aunt Terri's new house and then over to the Vanus's. Somehow, I didn't manage to take any pictures at the Vanus's.I don't know what I'm going to do when I can't blame it on pregnancy brain. :)

My Dad and neice Rhiley

My Uncle Eric, who is a great drummer and graciously let all the kids play with his drums.

Gavin's Favorite part of Thanksgiving- playing the drums. He LOVED it!

Gavin's Birthday Party

2010-11-09T16:27:00.000-08:00

Ok, so I am officially fired from keeping up with this blog. Gavin's 3rd birthday was in July. He had his party at My Gym and he had such a great time. Every time we walk past it still he asks if he can go play in there with his friends again

My beautiful Girl

2010-10-13T18:37:00.000-07:00

Myah Kay

So these are a couple weeks old now, but I had to share. She is just so dang cute! She looks so much like her brother did at this stage.. it's a good thing there is a date on these pictures because their profiles look so similar, I'm not sure I would be able to tell them apart! :) Keep growing little one, we can't wait to meet you and your brother can't wait to play!

Small and Simple Things

2010-09-26T14:34:00.001-07:00

So last night, I let frustration get the best of me. My blood sugars were all over the place, combined with being tired and well let's face it pregnancy hormones do silly things to you, and I was low yet again. As the tears started pouring down my cheeks, Gavin walks over to me and says, "It's OK mom, I will take care of you." He then looks at Ryan and says to him; "Let's get mom some juice and candy." Such a sweet boy! The mom guilt then kicks in and I'm now crying because my 3 year old is "taking care of me"- somethings wrong with that! After I calmed down, and drank some juice, I was in awe of what a sweet little spirit I was in trusted with. He thought nothing of this as it was small and simple to him, but to me it just showed me how open he was to the Spirit and how grateful I am for him and my adoring and wonderful husband. You guys mean the world to me! A simple Thank You is not enough for all you do for me. I love you both more than you will ever know.

Heart beat

2010-06-11T13:39:00.000-07:00

I'm a little emotional right now for several reasons. First of all I haven't thought I would ever be here again for a very long time. But, I am so THRILLED that I am. Thanks to my new amazing little device (see previous post), my doctor gave me the ok to go ahead and try for another baby. We honestly thought that we would never birth a child ourselves again. But low and behold, here I am 7 weeks pregnant!!! I even got to see the heart beat on an ultrasound yesterday- and yes, I was one of those people who had to fight back the tears as I looked at my tiny little bean on the monitor. It is amazing that I am so in love with this little person who is no bigger than a raspberry. Grow big and strong, little bean, we can't wait to meet you!

baby and it's heart beat

What make my heart beat a little stronger each day? See below.. I am so grateful for my kids!

Gavin

Baby

Our gardens gone crazy!

2010-06-11T13:32:00.000-07:00

Green beans.. woo hoo!
the forest of a garden! haha

So I'm the first to admit, we have no idea how to garden. We totally over planted our planter box and now it looks a little out of control.. Thinks are growing at least though! :)

Bonnie Springs

2010-06-11T13:23:00.000-07:00

Me and Gavin on the train
My Loves- Ryan and Gavin- so cute!

The cute turtles

petting the burro

On Memorial Day, we decided to take Gavin to see "the stinky animals" at Bonnie Springs. It was a great day and we had a lot of fun, even if the animals DID stink! :)

I love this quote...

2010-04-14T07:37:00.001-07:00

This quote was on the wall at the Aquarium. I loved it... I often wish I could see things through a child's eyes... I hope my kids will be able to keep some of the "magic" in life alive in them forever.

Salt Lake!!!

2010-04-14T07:27:00.000-07:00

A couple weeks ago, we got to go to Salt Lake for a few days for my nephew Tyson's baptism. We had such a great time. Here are some pictures from the Aquarium there.

Me and Gavin looking at the penguins
Gavin posing for a picture

My sister Shelly with her kids Andrew and Jack

Andrew, Emma, Gavin, Jack, and Tyson looking at the fish

Our little Garden

2010-04-12T11:23:00.001-07:00

Our Finished Product
Gavin posing in front of the planter

Ryan planting the watering system

In an effort to eat more "organic" fruits and vegetables this year, we are trying our not so green thumbs at gardening. Ryan and his dad made this planter box one afternoon and then we spent the next evening planting away. So far we have corn, tomatoes, carrots, squash and zucchini starting to grow! We are so excited!!

Home Improvements

2010-03-07T08:37:00.000-08:00

We finally are doing some much needed home improvements after living in our house for over a year. We got a new mattress last week , and yesterday we got our cabinets resurfaced. They look beautiful! Light wood is not my favorite (sorry to those of you who like it, but I'm more of a fall color girl), and the dark looks so much better!

Bowling Night!

2010-03-07T08:25:00.001-08:00

Luke

Shannon

Ryan after gettting a strike!

Me and Gavin

Dylan

Last weekend we took Gavin bowling for the first time. Dylan, Shannon, and Luke came with us and we had such a great time! Thanks for coming guys! :)

Gavin was very funny. He would throw the ball and start jumping up and down without and screaming "Hooray!" without even watching to see if he hit any pins. He also thought it was his turn after everybody . :) He did pretty good- the first half of the night, he was beating quite a few of us.

My new amazing little device...

2010-03-04T14:19:00.001-08:00

I recently got a new device for my diabetes. It's called a continuous glucose monitor. I have a little catheter inserted under my skin and it takes my blood sugar every 3 minutes. It then graphs it out on a monitor and alarms if your blood sugar is either too low or too high. It's amazing! It also shows how you blood sugar is trending and lets you know how quickly it is rising or falling. It truly is a life saving tool! It alarms at me quite often!
So yes, now I have 2 "special boxes" as Ryan calls them. But it is worth it! They are hoping in the future to be able to combine this technology with the pump technology and make an "artificial pancreas" of sorts. Pretty cool...

Potty Training!!

2010-03-04T14:15:00.001-08:00

Last month, we took the plunge and starting officially potty training Gavin. After a rocky first day, he got it. The next few days were followed by less and less accidents; now the accidents are few and far between! He's doing so good, and he thinks he is so grown up in his big boy underwear (which he is). I'm so proud of my little, whoops I mean big, guy!

New Year, New Attitude

2010-01-09T14:20:00.000-08:00

This year for my New Year's Resolution, not only do I have my typical weight loss resolution, but I am also trying to adopt a new attitude. I have been in a rut of waiting for our baby to get here, and focusing so much on that, that I am missing some of the great things that I have. Don't get me wrong, I still can not wait to be told we have been picked and there is a baby ready for us, but instead of being sad that it hasn't happened yet, I am going to try to see that when it is the right child, it WILL happen. Adoption will always be a part of my life now, a big part, but so is my family I already have. I have the best son, and a wonderful husband, and they deserve the world. So here's to a new attitude! and hopefully it will make me a better mom, wife, and better person overall!

Christmas

2010-01-09T14:10:00.001-08:00

Christmas was so much fun this year... Gavin is starting to be big enough to get excited. On Christmas morning, when he woke up, I said, "Gavin, Santa came! Let's go see!" He looked at me with fear in his eyes and said" He's not still here? Right?" I had to laugh. The little guy wanted the gifts but wanted nothing to do with Santa! After opening presents at home, we went to my sister Carrie's house with my family and then met up with Ryan's family at his parent's house. It was a great day.

Gavin looking cute in his new Christmas outfit

On his new bike.. he LOVED it!

Opening presents with Daddy

Disneyland...again!

2009-12-29T13:24:00.001-08:00

Gavin watching to parade

My sister Carrie and her daughter Rhiley

Ryan, Gavin, and me

Gavin and Emma waiting to go in......

This year for Christmas, instead of giving presents with my family, we all went to Disneyland. There were a lot of us and it made it so much fun. I think one of Gavin's favorite parts was the parade where he got to see some of his favorite characters- Tow Mater and Lightning McQueen from Cars.

Thanksgiving

2009-12-29T13:11:00.001-08:00

This year for Thanksgiving, we went to Ryan's brother's house. We even had some family come in from Utah. We had lots of great food and a lot of fun, too! The kids stayed busy playing with each other and got along fabulously! Thanks Eric and Amy for a great time!

Gavin

Gavin and his cousins: Cohen, Emma, Hudson, and Hannah

Me and Ryan

Halloween

2009-11-16T07:52:00.001-08:00

Ryan on the mechanical bull

Us in front of the biggest horse I've ever seen- It weighed over 2200 lbs!

The bull- Gavin wanted to ride it so we stayed far away!

On Halloween, we TRIED to go to the Shark Reef, but the line was over an hour long so we left and found some sort of rodeo thing that was going on in the parking lot. We are not rodeo people, but we thought we would show Gavin and his cousins the animals. Ryan and some of my family rode the mechanical bull, and we saw some enormous horses!

Pumpkin Carving Party

2009-11-16T07:42:00.000-08:00

Gavin and Grandma with Mike's silly pumpkin
the finished products

carving with daddy

We had a pumpkin carving party at Ryan's brother's house the week before Halloween. We had a great time, and ended up with some silly pumpkins. Thanks Eric and Amy!!

McKee Ranch

2009-11-16T07:35:00.001-08:00

My niece Rhiley looking at the horses
Gavin and Ryan petting a horse
Gavin riding his pony! He loved it!

Before Halloween, we went to a little ranch by our house. Gavin got to ride a pony, pet and feed some horses, play with some toys and goats, and go on a hay ride. At the end of our day, we got to take home a pumpkin. It was cheesy but fun! :)

Don't let the adoption tax credit go away!!

2009-11-05T18:31:00.000-08:00

RAISE YOUR VOICE TO ENSURE THE ADOPTION TAX CREDIT REMAINS PERMANENT

Private and independent domestic adoptions can cost anywhere from $5,000 to $40,000, and expenses for intercountry adoptions generally total between $7,000 and $40,000. Domestic adoptions out of foster care are typically much less expensive, usually costing the adoptive parent $2,500 or less.

Congress introduced the Adoption Promotion and Stability Act in 1996 to “help families defray adoption costs.”

Unfortunately, while the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act (EGTRRA) made the adoption tax credit permanent, the provisions which raised the amount that adoptive families can claim and increased the income eligibility phase-out range will sunset on December 31, 2010. Thus, beginning in 2011, the amount adoptive parents will be able to claim under the adoption tax credit will revert to the pre-EGTRRA levels of $6,000 per special needs child and $5,000 per non-special needs child. Additionally, adoptive families reporting $75,000-$115,000 in annual adjusted gross income will again be restricted in the amount they can claim, and those reporting more than $115,000 in annual adjusted gross income will again be prohibited from claiming the tax credit at all. Several bills have been introduced in Congress to repeal the sunset and make the EGTRRA reforms of the adoption tax credit permanent.

At the center of this debate is a recent Treasury Report which found that parents who adopted children internationally account for a disproportionately large number of adoption tax credit recipients, while parents who adopted children from foster care represent a disproportionately small number. More specifically, international adoptions accounted for 34 percent of all adoptions supported by the tax credit despite making up only 15 percent of all adoptions in the United States, while domestic adoptions out of foster care made up 18 percent of adoptions supported by the tax credit despite making up nearly 40 percent of all adoptions in the United States. This finding has led some to claim that the adoption tax credit is not fulfilling a primary goal of promoting domestic adoptions out of foster care. Some advocates have suggested that the federal government should therefore eliminate the adoption tax credit and redistribute the funds saved to other pro-adoption programs.

The Adoption Promotion and Stability Act of 1996 had two purposes, first among which was “to defray adoption costs for families seeking to adopt” by establishing the adoption tax credit. The bill made no distinction between adoptions out of foster care and any other type of adoption.

Increasing subsidies to adoptive parents has been one of the most effective ways of boosting the adoption rate.

Most importantly, the EGTRRA provisions to the adoption tax credit due to expire in 2011 should be made permanent.

For 2009, the maximum adoption credit has increased to $12,150. This amount is phased out if your modified adjusted gross income is between $182,180 and $222,180. You cannot claim the credit or exclusion if your modified AGI is $222,180 or more.

For information on Special Needs Adoption Tax Credit for 2009 go to North American Council on Adoptable Children.

To take the credit or exclusion, complete Form 8839 (PDF), Qualified Adoption Expenses, and attach the form to your Form 1040 (PDF) or Form 1040A (PDF).

See irs.gov (topic 607 adoption credit)

“The Adoption Tax Relief Guarantee Act of 2009, H.R. 213.” Written to repeal the sunset of the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 with respect to the expansion of the adoption credit and adoption assistance programs. This legislation will make the tax credit permanent. Unless legislation is passed, the Federal adoption tax credit that allows many adopting families to take a credit of up to $12,150 (2009) is scheduled to expire in December 2010. (For information on other legislation involving adoption go to adoptioncouncil.org/policy/fed_leg.html.)

Help Make the Current Federal Adoption Credit Permanent by Writing to your Representative

Here is how:

Find the name and Washington, D.C. mailing address of your Representative and Senators at www.congress.org. To find e-mail addresses, click through to the Senator’s or Congressperson’s Web site.

Next, log on to THOMAS (Library of Congress) to find out whether your Congresspersons are already co-sponsors of the legislation. Here is how:

On the THOMAS opening page, under “Search Bill Summary and Status,” search by bill number for H.R. 213. Then click on “Bill summary and Status.”

On the page that comes up, click on “Cosponsors,” “Text of Legislation,” or “All Congressional Actions” to follow the progress of the bill.

If your representatives have not signed on as co-sponsors of the bill, send them your request that they do so. Tell them how important the tax credit was to you when you adopted your children, or how much you and other families you know are counting on it to be available in the future.

Act today, your efforts make a difference.

Taken from the R house blog

Pumpkin Patch

2009-10-16T14:08:00.000-07:00

Posing for a picture with the pumpkins

Gavin and his cousin Jack on the swings at the Pumpkin Patch- He loved them!

Going down the big slide with Daddy

Gavin and his cousin Dylan on the boat swing- He's getting to be such an adventurer!

We went to the pumpkin patch, as is tradition, last weekend. Gavin graciously posed for a picture after being bribed by rides! :) He loved the rides and the little petting zoo they had. He had so much fun, he tried to keep getting back in line for rides when we were trying to leave saying, "Get more tickets, Mommy. Want to bounce!"

We're Approved!!!!!!

2009-09-26T17:47:00.001-07:00

Dear Family and Friends (and family & friends of family & friends),

As many of you know, we had such a hard time when I was pregnant with Gavin, that we have decided to adopt. We both feel our family is not yet complete. We started our paperwork for adoption in June of this year and have just been approved! YEAH!! We are asking for your prayers and assistance. Since our chances of adopting increase with exposure, we want to tell you about Designated Adoption. Designated adoption is when the birthparents and adoptive parents find each other through a third party. That is where you come in! WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP?

Forward this email to everyone in your address book. If you have a blog (Blogger, Typepad, Facebook, Myspace, ect.) copy and paste this email to a post.
Link our Internet profiles on your blog accounts.
https://www.itsaboutlove.org/ial/profiles/23424000/ourMessage.jsf or http://www.ryanandnicole09.blogspot.com/
Bookmark our online profile(s) for future reference.
Have our pass-along cards with you at all times ( we will be mailing these out soon!).
If you know of a woman who is thinking about placing her baby for adoption, or doesn't quite know what to do, please give her one of our pass-along cards or our web address. You could also post our cards on bulletin boards wherever you think a potential birth mother or someone she knows might see them. (Dorms or Collage Campus)
Create a signature line at the bottom of your emails that has our web address included (see example below.) This serves as a constant reminder of our hope to adopt. Our friends are hoping to adopt!
Check them out! http://www.ryanandnicole09.blogspot.com/ or
https://www.itsaboutlove.org/ial/profiles/23424000/ourMessage.jsf

We are always willing to talk about our adoption and give you more information, feel free to ask anytime. You or the potential birth parents may contact us or our caseworker Brad Singletary at LDS Family Services at anytime to request more information. Thank you in advance for all your help as well as your love and support.
With love,
Ryan, Nicole, and Gavin
321-8904
ryanandnicole05@yahoo.com

Mount Charleston

2009-09-12T13:38:00.000-07:00

Gavin playing in the meadow

The boys laughing at Ryan

We went to Mount Charleston with my family last weekend. It was great fun. The kids had fun running around and they even went on a snipe hunt! ( I know that's kinda mean to send them on a fake hunt , but they had a lot of fun!) :)

Rainforest Cafe and the lions

2009-09-10T13:43:00.000-07:00

We decided we wanted to have a really fun day last weekend and went to MGM to go to Rainforest cafe and to see the lions. I thought Gavin would love it... We got there and were seating next to the big gorillas. Gavin loves animals but gorillas are not his favorite so he was already nervous when we sat down. Every few minutes though the gorillas would move and make noises. The first time this happened, Gavin started crying and jumped over me screaming, "Gavin freaking out!!!" The whole table was laughing hysterically. Gavin was fine after a few minutes and I think he actually ended up having fun.

Next we went to see the lions. They were not that great since all they did was sleep. But they did have baby lions- we thought those were pretty cute!!

Sunset Park fun!

2009-09-10T13:38:00.000-07:00

Gavin loves ducks- so we took him to feed to ducks at Sunset Park. He thought it was hilarious. When we ran out of bread, he then turned his attention to chasing off all the pigeons. They, however, were not to scared and kept coming back. Gavin thought it was a great game!

Pictures of our Family

2009-09-02T19:36:00.001-07:00

Birthday Cake!

2009-08-17T12:43:00.000-07:00

Gavin had a Mickey Mouse Party. We went swimming, he got lots of cool presents and then there was the cake. It had blue trim around it so everyone left with blue mouths and lips- some of the kids even had blue chins. :)

Gavin's Birthday!

2009-08-17T12:41:00.000-07:00

I can't believe he's 2!!! Part of his birthday present was Disneyland... he got a cool birthday pin to wear.

2009-08-09T13:01:00.000-07:00

All of us going on the Winnie the Pooh ride

2009-08-09T12:57:00.000-07:00

Andrew, Gavin, and Jack with Pooh's honey pots

2009-08-09T12:55:00.000-07:00

Gavin, Grandma, and "Chicken Dale"

Disneyland!!!

2009-08-07T20:45:00.000-07:00

Last week, we took Gavin to Disneyland for his birthday. He had so much fun! I think he liked seeing the characters most. We met Mickey, Minnie, and "Chicken Dale" aka Chip and Dale. He loved to rides too. Shelly, Jack, Andrew and my mom came too. Gavin thought it was hilarious that they were in the same hotel as us (we got a suite) and he would not go to sleep! It was so quiet and out of no where Gavin started singing a song he learned at story time called Bubble Gum. But in his sweet little voice he was singing "Buggle Gum Buggle Gum..." Soon the whole room was laughing.

Here we are almost two weeks later and everyday we have the same conversation: "Mommy, guess what" "What Gavin?" "Disneyland!!"

I think our trip was a hit!!

Pictures

2009-07-21T15:12:00.001-07:00

We went to get Gavin's two year old pictures done and a new family picture. I wanted to spend like $20. I ended up spending a whole lot more than that!! I couldn't help it though..look how cute he is!!!

"Kiss mine butt"

2009-07-21T14:55:00.000-07:00

Today while I was changing Gavin's diaper. He told me his butt hurt ( he does not like getting his butt wiped!) Whenever anything hurts on him, he wants me to kiss it better. So he tells me. "Mommy, butt hurts- kiss it." Of course I started laughing- he didn't get it though so he continues to yell, "Mommy, kiss mine butt!!" So here is my not yet 2 year old telling me to kiss his butt.... I can't wait for the teenage years!