Trying Santa!

His First Christmas...Intrigued...

Then...not so much...

This Year hes Cool

What a Big Boy

Thanks for the Candy Cane Santa (he ate the whole thing)!

Its official...Bradley has bought into Santa! The past two years he has not liked him and has cried and been freaked at the mysterious old man that mommy is forcing him to sit on his lap with a white beard. If you put it that way I would be freaked too! Last Christmas I dotn even think I managed to get him close enough to take his picture with him and the first year when he was 10 months old he cried at the sight of him. So, this year we "talked it up" and the conclusion was "Ok, mommy, I will try Santa" so thats exactly what we did this black friday instead of shopping! The anticipation was the best part. When he saw him he couldnt wait and was like "Is it my turn yet" when we were waiting in line. Santa picked him up on his lap and Bradley didnt answer any of his questions...he froze...except for asking "do you have a candy cane for me" and Santa did of course because the elves make those in the north pole for Santa to hand out to all the good boys and girls. Bradley told him thank you and even managed to smile for mommy to take the picture! Oh and I cant forget this because it is so random. On the way there as I was prepping him. I asked him what he wanted for Christmas? He said "I want a Gorilla, a monkey and a TREE!" So, we are going to deliver on the tree part but the other stuff will have to see if Santa works up a miracle for those! Highly doubtful! Happy Holidays Everyone! Oh and sorry there is no picture of Gavin...I knew the outcome of that would probably be crying if I woke him up. I am planning on taking Bradley one or two more times to see Santa so maybe then I will get both of them on his lap.

Turkey Time Thursday!

Cooking the Turkey...Gobble Gobble!

Bradley telling me not to take his picture...again!

Gavins Turkey Coma, haha!

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone...a day late :) I was soooo busy being thankful for everything and working my butt off between tending to Gavin and cooking that I didnt get to post yesterday. I also may not have texted some of my wonderful friends back who wished me a Happy Turkey Day! So, thanks everyone! Our day started by cleaning a bit before our company arrived then it was on to the cooking! Brads friend, Jason, came to enjoy the holiday weekend with us from Maryland. We decided against traveling to Maryland or California this year since Gavin is so young and its flu season and it ended up that Brad is covering alert with his unit which means he has to stay close to base in case he got paged away to go save the world! Our day was great and I was so pleased with myself that I managed to pull off this day (with Brads help) and get dinner on the table by 3. I am always a bit tired still and Gavin eats like every 2- 3 hours and needs to be burped, changed, rocked to sleep for naps, the whole thing and I managed to cook stuffing, mashed potatoes, corn pudding, sweet potatoe souffle, green bean casserole, rolls, gravy and pumpkin pie with my homemade whipped cream. Brad conquered the turkey outside in the electric deep fryer. yep, thanksgiving is getting fancy around here, haha! It was all so delicious and indeed did put us in a turkey coma. After dinner our friends Adam and Lacey came over for dessert and drinks and they stayed until like 10 pm. We had a lot of fun and interesting conversations, its always great just to hang out and reminisce and laugh! This Thanksgiving, I am thankful for my God, my husband and my boys and all my wonderful family and friends. I am also blessed for our wonderful home and to be healthy and safe! Now that that is over....whos ready for Christmas! Ho...Ho...Ho....Here we Go!

Family Fun

Bradley and Jackson

Grammy with her Woodward Boys

Grammy playing Dinasours with Bradley

Just Hanging out

Gavin with Aunt Joanie

Lastly, Bradley running through Daddy's leaf pile

This past weekend we had so family visiting to see Gavin! His Grammy came for 5 days and my brother Nathan, his wife Joanie and my nephew Jackson came for the day on Saturday too! The weather was beautiful so we went to lunch at an outdoor restaurant so we could enjoy it. Brad and I always have to do that on a nice day...I refuse to eat inside. How could you with the amazing weather God gives us and scenery. Well, back to our day, after lunch Brad and my brother took all 3 boys back to the house to run around outside and the girls went...SHOPPING! We went to the quaint local shops in the downtown historic village and then hit up a kids consignment sale! It was fun and just in the nick of time to get a few things accomplished for Christmas! Here are some pictures of everyones visit. We had a wonderful time and Bradley and Jackson are great buddies considering the age gap is almost 4 years. Bradley and Gavin will be less than three years so I have a lot to look forward to and a lot of refereeing too I'm sure!

Gavin has Visitors!

Baby Tegan...going to walk soon!

Bradley admiring his "big buddy" as he calls him

Just Gavin!

Gigi and Gavin

Kate and Tegan with Bradley and Gavin

Lacey and Gavin

So let me just say how sooo appreciative we are to all of our friends who have brought us meals since Gavin has been born. They have been amazing and the people who have brought them are amazing too. I didnt take pictures of everyone with Gavin who visited him just a few when I remebered to break out the camera. So here they are.....I know everyone has been dying to see more pictures of Gavin. My family has already been on me about this :) I already understand how I never had a baby book. Its something I always griped to my mom about to give her a hard time since both my brothers had one. Apparantly, I had no room to talk...Im already slacking with everything "Gavin" compared to everything "Bradley." Heres to catching up...maybe one day I will find the time. Hopefully?!

Day at the Zoo with Two

Very intently studying the behavioral science of the "Turtle"

Watching the Grizzly Bear eat leaves...yes, it was riveting!

On the carousel with daddy :)

The Big Boys!

Mesmerized by the big elephant!

Last Friday we decided to take Bradley and Gavin to the Zoo. Mainly for Bradley, of course, he has been so good being a big brother he deserved a treat! Im always behind the camera so really this is just a photoshow of Brad and Bradley. Gavin stayed in the car seat/stroller the whole time so there was really no chance to take his picture or a family photo. We had a great day as a family but we wished there was more to see for Bradley. it was alot of walking without viewing animals. Some were closed for cleaning or it was feeding time. It was to the point where Bradley would say "ummm...are we going to see any more animals?" during the long walks inbetween exhibits. Hes too smart for his britches. He didnt understand how he couldnt see the animals up close. For the elephants that were wandering in their pastures a bit far away he sais "well, lets go see him!" and we already were "seeing him." Ok- gavin is crying...this is my life now...gotta run!

The Penguin and the Princess!

B and his Daddy

Taking a break to pose with their lollipops

Holding hands

This was getting ready to go!

The Perfect Picture. I told Mike he should be thankful she's in a monogamous relationship if shes going to date!

Mommy, Daddy and the little Penguin

He likes the Superman Cape...just not the whole suit!

Putting the Pumpking out he carved with Daddy and Dunka

Bradley's Pumpkin

So, this Halloween Mimi and Dunka were visiting. It was Bradley's first year trick or treating door to door. Dont ask me why I never took him last year. It worked out b/c Mimi and Dunka stayed home and snuggled with Gavin and it was like old times just mommy, daddy and bradley. With Mike, Liz and sophia too. He was supposed to be Superman with big muscles but he freaked out and cried like a baby and didnt want anything to do with it. I think he felt uncomfortable with the big muscles sticking out or the way they felt even though I did put a shirt under. Oh, well. We werent going to traumatize him or force him just for Halloween. A holiday that of course I dont believe in we just participate for fun for the kids. So, I rigged a last minute penguin costume which was his knitted hat that he has so many pictures in. im sure you will recognize it. He loved trick or treating and only said "trick-or- treat" at the first couple houses then his classic phrase became "Hey, can we have some more candies, please!" at least he added the please! So, here are the pics that LIz has been waiting for. I captured the cutest photos while she had gone back inside to grab a flashlight.

Mimi and Dunka Visit

My Man and Me

On our Porch swing we never use!

Mimi and Dunka with their 2 Grandsons

Shirt Mimi Got Bradley

Three generations ( I know this pic needs Gavin)

Like Father, Like Son...Vroom Vroom

This past weekend, Bradley and Gavin's grandparents came to visit and meet Gavin for the first time! We were so excited to have them just be here and hang out! Brad and his Dad got to spend quality time dirt bike riding and mom and I went SHOPPING, of course! Bradley just loves his Mimi and Dunka very much. They laugh and play and laugh some more. We miss you both and see you again soon!