Christmas Update!

Actually, this entry starts just a little before Christmas, with my desperate (and rather unsuccessful) attempt to get a good picture of Gwydion to send out with the Christmas cards.
Ben's house was the first one decorated this year, so we tried taking a picture in front of his tree.

Gwydion loved the tree, he even called the ornaments 'bubbles', but would he smile and look at the camera? Not a chance. But...



... he smiles when Uncle Ben plays airplane with him.



Second attempt at Christmas photos, while at Grandma Diane's house, wrapping presents. I was wrapping presents, Gwydion was far more interested in the firetruck.





We opened some of our presents on Christmas Eve. I thought Gwydion would be excited to tear the paper off, but he was more interested in the tags.



Getting a little help from Mama.



"Hot, hot!" he said, as he opened this present.



Hmm, this hamburger looks edible.



Gwydion liked Daddy's presents too.




And so did the cats!



Sitting with Grandpa Don, watching everyone open presents.



Gwdyion really likes anything with wheels and buttons, like these cars.



Gwydion and Daddy, opening presents at Grandma Diane's house.



And last, Gwydion playing in the cat cube. Well, he was playing. Until he got stuck that is. :)

Snow!

We went outside to play in the first snowfall of the season. Gwydion was very curious, since he was too small to remember the snow from last year. Here are a few pics- none very good, because he was too busy looking around to smile for Mama!





Finally, a few pictures of Gwydion and his Thomas playtent.

Fall is finally here!

And it's only mid-November. What a year! With the fall temperatures finally here, we've been doing a lot of prjoects inside the house. One thing we'll be doing soon is painting Gwydion's bedroom. I've made new curtains for his windows and will be painting to match the wonderfully bright colors of the jungle animals on the fabric. I can't wait to get started!

Gwydion is doing well, aside from some sleep issues. He's recently decided he doesn't want to sleep alone, so we have about 30 minutes of crying to get through a few nights a week. He's very slowly started talking more. His most recent words are 'girl' and 'train'. He still does everything on his own schedule though- if he doesn't want to identify something, he won't. He has been asking the names of everything under the sun lately, so maybe it won't be long before we have a real talker. No matter how many times you ask. Stubborn child (I wonder where he gets that?). By my measurements, he's 23 lbs and 31 1/2 inches tall.

Here are a few recent pics:

Gwydion loves the new car!


Who needs expensive toys when a laundry basket is so much fun?

Or cat toys for that matter......


Grandpa brought us a sandbox. Gwydion has never had so much fun!

You can only tell it's fall...

because the trees are shedding their leaves. It's been 85 degrees all weekend, no rain in sight. I'm glad it isn't snowing, but a few cool, rainy days would be welcome! Gwydion is enjoying the weather quite a bit, as you can see.




because the trees are shedding their leaves. It's been 85 degrees all weekend, no rain in sight. I'm glad it isn't snowing, but a few cool, rainy days would be welcome! Gwydion is enjoying the weather quite a bit, as you can see.

Visit with the Heplers

There was a big party this weekend for my uncle Dean's 70th birthday, so we got to see a lot of family we don't usually see. We had a very nice visit. Check out the pics below.

Grandma Hepler, me, Gwydion, and Rick.

Me, Gwydion, Grandma, and a little bit of Uncle Dean.

Michael holding Goblin, Gwydion and Rick. He loves his new toy!

Rick and Gwydion.

Halloween!!!

We didn't get very many good pictures of Gwydion trick-or-treating, but he had a great time! We went to Grandpa Don's house and to Grandma Diane's, mostly to show off Gwydion in his cute teddy bear costume.

Two new additions...

...the first being a kitten I rescued. We're still hoping to find him a permanent home (other than ours) but he seems to be getting along with the other cats pretty well. He's a handsome boy and we're calling him Goblin. He's quite the little ankle-biter.

Goblin the fierce (at least he thinks so!)

And here's our other new addition. We bought a new car!! We've traded the truck in and finally gotten a 4-door car. I know it's nearly Halloween, but I swear, it is only coincidence that it's orange.

And finally, some actual Halloween-related pictures. Gwydion went to pick out his pumpkin with Grandma Diane and had a wonderful time. First there was sand to play in...


which was incredibly fun, no matter which way the wind was blowing.


Then there were tiny ears of brightly colored Indian corn and ornamental gourds to play with...



And then there was the petting zoo! Goats, sheep, llamas, turkeys, ducks, chickens, cows, pigs, rabbits, and even a buffalo calf!

And finally, of course, choosing a pumpkin!