Happy New Year!

Gwydion tried his hardest to stay awake this year. We bought ginger ale for toasting and some confetti poppers- he was so excited to try them out. He made it until 11 pm, when he fell asleep at the table. Poor guy. We woke him up for just a few minutes so he could bring in the new year with us. He was happy but sleepy, as you can see.




Saturday was so warm that we went to the lake. Gwydion had a great time using his metal detector to look for "treasure" (bottle caps and pennies mostly) and playing in the fort that someone built.

Happy New Year!

Just a little update for the new year. It has been a bit warmer than usual here in Oklahoma. Saturday was 71 degrees! We couldn't pass up the nice weather, so we loaded the boys and Gwydion's new metal detector and went to the lake. They had a fantastic time! The boys played in the sand and in a fort someone built with washed up limbs. Michael and I got a nice workout trying to keep Gavin out of the water.

Gavin's Christmas

Gavin's second Christmas was far more exciting for him (and everyone else!) than his first. This year he was big enough to notice all the lights and decorations and to enjoy the festive mood of the family. He even figured out how to tear the paper off his presents. He really liked his Little People airplane and the silly little singing snowman he got in his stocking. Poor Dapper Dan got no love. Ah well.

Gwydion's Christmas

This year, Gwydion was so incredibly excited about Christmas. We had been talking and planning for weeks. He made detailed wish lists and searched Ebay for trains and Cars that he didn't already have. We decided what kind of cookies to give Santa and how many carrots the reindeer might need. He even wanted to wait up so he could show Santa his room!

Here's a picture of the boys, eagerly awaiting presents on Christmas Eve.

We opened presents from family on Christmas Eve and the boys had a blast.

Then we made Santa and the reindeer a snack. Gwydion even wrote a note for Santa, complete with Space Chimps stickers and a little reminder that he was supposed to bring more Cars.

Christmas morning, the first thing he checked was the plate of cookies. Santa and the reindeer had a great snack and left a thank you note.

Then he saw the presents!

Santa brought new trains, some Cars, and best of all, a Deluxe Knapford Station!

Birthday Boy!

Sorry that these pictures are so late. Keeping up with my two little monkeys takes a lot of time! Here are the few shots we got of Gavin's birthday. He had a great time at the party, but was not at all interested in the cake. He really, really loves the little rocking horse and the Nascar track.




He was also quite fond of his Bob the Builder sheet set, as you can see.

Gavin's October Adventures

Gavin went along on all of our adventures this month and he really enjoyed himself. Here he is taking his new view from inside the mini-van. Gwydion was sitting in the seat behind him, so he had someone to keep him company.

Gavin in the caboose. He explored as much as we would let him.

Those big brown eyes didn't miss a thing!
The baby area at the Oklahoma Science Museum was perfect for Gavin. He loved this little rocket ship.

And he loved the bead toys.

The water table was interesting.

And even the cannon wasn't so bad.

But this is what he really loved!

After our trip to Oklahoma City, we expected a quiet week or two. Instead, Gavin spent the week processing all the new things he learned. He's more toddler than baby now, and it really shows.

Here he is, looking out the window. He's not shaped much like a baby anymore.

Gavin loved the tents we set up in the back yard, though sleeping in them was difficult for him. Michael and Gwydion were just too exciting for sleep.

And again, here's Gavin with one of his favorite toys. The boy loves to drive and he loves playing in the yard. He's quite mobile and can get from the patio to the playhouse all by himself.

He's also keenly interested in anything Gwydion likes to do, so Gwydion's computer draws his attention every time.
And of course, how will he get to Gwydion's toys unless he can walk? He decided to walk a few steps at a time the day before Grandma Susan arrived. He spent the rest of the week nearly running while holding on to someone's hand.


Since he's decided to be such a big boy, we've had a lot of trouble getting him to eat solid food. We finally figured out that he will only eat if he can feed himself. Messy and not terribly efficient, but fun!

Gavin loves to go to the zoo almost as much as Gwydion does. Since he really started walking the day before, this trip was more fun than usual for him. He was very interested in the meercats, and they were very interested in him. I'm sure the cookie in his hand doesn't have anything to do with it.
A trip to the zoo wouldn't be complete without a stop at the playground, and of course, a chance to drive the truck.

And the train!

Sliding is fun with Daddy's help.

Gavin checks out the turtles.

Musical instruments are a big part of playtime here. Gavin loves to play the maracas while Gwydion drums. Just this week he learned how to play the flute and the kazoo.


And just when we thought the week couldn't get any better, a new toy arrived. He could hardly wait for Michael to get it out of the box.

Gavin loves to make faces. Here's his fishy face, made especially for Grandma.

The last of our adventures for the week of Grandma's visit was a trip to the pumpkin patch. Gavin was quite festive in his little pumpkin suit.

He was absolutely delighted by all the animals, but particularly the goats.

He really wasn't sure what to do with the pumpkins though.