Sew, sew, sew!

I hosted a baby shower for one of my girlfriends last week and saw this cute giraffe one of the girls had made for her... and of course I had to make one! Kacie and I borrowed the pattern and off to Joann Fabrics we went the very next day! I couldn't just make one to match Gavin's room (the blue one) but I also made one for his next bedroom set (baseball). Kacie made 2, one for Cade and one for her niece. (The girly ones I think would be so fun to make!)

After I finished mine I got gutsy and thought I could create a Rudolph from scratch. So back to Joann's I went and 2 days later Rudolph came to life! How fun huh? It's kinda addicting... I need a new project now!

Let it SNOW!!!

We woke up to SNOW this morning and I couldn't have been more excited! School was cancelled for all the kids and Devin's work cancelled as well! Luckily I bought Gavin snow clothes a few weeks ago for our trip to Utah for Christmas! I never thought we would get to use them here! So I stuffed Gavin into them this morning and out we went! At first he wasn't so sure about it!

Then we went to work.... building a snowman!

Frosty the Snowman came to life today... for Gavin! And he loved it! Yeah for SNOW!

Christmas Spirit!

I love that we live in a big city for Christmas! There is always something festive going on each night around here! On Saturday we went down to Bellevue Square and watched these crazy drummers (some on stilts) run up and down the sidewalk playing music (extremely loudly). Gavin was scared at first but soon got into the beat of the music! He was waving his hands and kicking his feet! He loved it! Frosty the snowman and a drummer girl even stopped to meet him! They put on this show every weekend until Christmas! I know we'll be back again to see it!

On Sunday we walked the trail with the Callens. It was all lit up and decorated for just that night... very cold but worth it! This week we're planning on going to see all the lights at the botanical gardens... it's supposed to be beautiful! Anyway, I hope you all are finding fun festive things to do for the holidays! It really gets you into the Christmas spirit!

Grandpa Jolley

Last night Devins sweet Grandpa Jolley passed away with Devins Father by his side. I'm so glad he was able to fly out there in time. Grandpa Jolley was such a sweet, loving, happy man. I'm so thankful Gavin and I were able to meet him before he left us. He will be dearly missed but I'm sure his wife will be overjoyed to have him back with her!

I want to wear a tie like Daddy....

My friend Kacie surprised Gavin with this tie last week and I think I was the excited one! I've been trying to find one every time we go out shopping, but no luck.... and then she found me one with football helmets on it! How cute is that?! Well I snapped a quick pic of Gavin with his daddy after church today to show you all how cute they are all dressed for church!

Twilight Movie

So I saw it last night... don't worry, I didn't drag my husband to it... I went with a few girlfriends. Do I recommend you see it you ask? Yes! Of course! It's definitely a low budget film but if you loved the book, and you realize that they had to condense the book, you won't be disappointed! Can't wait to read your comments on what you thought of it!

Happy Birthday Devin!

So Yesterday was Devin's Birthday... he turned 27! It's crazy cuz sometimes I still picture the 18 year old Devin I met 9 years ago at King Henry Apartments and can't believe it was the same guy. We've both changed a lot of the years of knowing each other... and laugh at the road God led us on to end up together! I've watched him grow up and mature over these years... go on a mission, move from Utah to Iowa to Washington, and then become a father. He's a wonderful man who loves the gospel with all his heart. He's a devoted husband and father. He works hard so I can stay at home and raise our son. I know he'll never read this cuz he doesn't ever look at our blog but I love you and thank you for sharing all these years with me! Happy Birthday!!

We went to celebrate for dinner at the Cheesecake Factory... Yum! Afterward we wandered over to the indoor mall park to let Gavin play!

Then I made him his favorite dessert "Tort" but we still haven't gotten to eat it... tonight I'm sure!

I know you love to watch them too...

Is anyone else as excited as me for all the cheesy ABC Family Christmas Movies that start playing this time of the year!?? I don't know why I love them but I do... and I'm so glad they have already begun! Yeah for Christmas!

Updates on the little guy...

Always on the move!! Life is GOOD being a kid!

Loving my Mommy!

Enjoying the last of the Fall weather! (So beautiful here in Washington!)

He's WALKING!!!!!

SO, THIS MORNING GAVIN DECIDED TO SURPRISE ME WITH HIS NEW ABILITY TO WALK! I THOUGHT HE WOULD START OUT BY TAKING ONE STEP AND THEN FALLING, BUT NOPE! HE WENT FOR IT! THIS IS HIM TODAY SHOWING OFF! I COULDN'T BE PROUDER OF HIM!

Thanks for coming Brooke!

Devin's sister Brooke decided at the last minute to come visit us this weekend from California... and we're sure glad she did!!! It was SOOO fun to have her here! On Saturday we took her into Seattle to see Pike's Market and then just wandered around...

we found this waterfall and carousel that Gavin both loved... except we think he might have started to feel sick on the horse cuz he was pretty close to screaming by the time it ended! I don't blame him though, Brooke and I were feeling sick just watching him go around!

On Sunday afternoon we took her up to see Snoqualmie Falls... so beautiful!! Thanks again for coming Brooke! We loved having you! Gavin is gonna miss you!

P.S. Look how big he's getting! He seems to get older and older everyday :(

My Little Lion

Excuse all the pictures but I wanted Devins family to see how cute this little Lion is :)
Devin couldn't come with us to the trunk or treat at the church last night so I had to take a few pictures with him before we left!

Gavin thought he was so funny all dressed up!

Roar!!

Gavin and I went with the Larsons... Jax was such a cute Fireman!


Gavin had such a great time passing out the candy with me... and of course seeing all the other costumes!

Happy Halloween Everyone!

Payday!

I remember paydays, you know.. that great day every 2 weeks when all your hard work pays off with a fabulous check!!! Well, since I stopped working paydays come in a different form... but just as rewarding! Today was one of those paydays for me!
For the last few weeks I've been teaching Gavin all his body parts... usually 2 or 3 a week... it has been fun watching him remember them and point to them when I ask... but usually I can only get him to point out 1 or 2 before he loses interest... well, this morning while I was changing his diaper I got him to show me his eyes, nose, hair, ears, toes, fingers and belly button all in a row! I was SO proud of him! I love seeing all my hard work pay off!!!

Worst mom ever!

So this morning after chasing Gavin around the bed to get him dressed, we were rolling around on the bed laughing and then all of the sudden... THUD! Gavin ate it.. bad.. off the side of the bed... now it wouldn't have been so bad if he had just hit the floor but unfortunately in Washington they have these stupid baseboard heating systems instead of central air heating systems... so his right side of his face met up with it on the way down... poor guy screamed his head off and grabbed the side of his face... immediately it swelled up and started to bruise... here's the picture I took minutes after he calmed down... I feel horrible!!! Now I just need to keep watching him to make sure it's not broken! Where's Dr. Todd when you need him! I miss my old job.....

Gavins First Birthday!

When he woke up from his nap after church he was excited to find a ton of balloons to chase around and play with!

Then the Ricks family came over to celebrate and bring him his first present! He was so good at unwrapping and super ecstatic to find a new stuffed puppy!

Then LaRee gave him a taste of her cupcake... he obviously loved it!

Earlier that day I had made these cute cupcakes! I was so happy they had turned out so well!

A bunch of our friends then came over to celebrate with us and sing Gavin Happy Birthday! I blew out his candle and he went to town on the cupcake... yum!

Then he opened up all his presents!

And Jack even helped with one!

He was so excited for all the new books!

What a wonderful year it has been! We couldn't feel more blessed to have such a wonderful amazing little guy in our family! We love you Gavin!