Beautiful February Day

We have a had a very unseasonable warm winter.  There were a few days in February that it was warm enough to get out the bike and stroller and head to the park.

Gavin Turns One

I can't believe our little boy is turning one today.  It amazes me how fast this past year has gone by.  It just seems like yesterday that we were on our way to the hospital to meet our little boy. 

He is such a happy and well tempered boy now.  I think his new found independence has given a huge sense of calmness.  He loves to stand and has now figured out he can stand unassisted for about 30 seconds at a time.  He gets the biggest smile on his face when he succeeds at this.  He still prefers to army crawl, but has crawled on his hands and knees on occasion.  He loves bedtime.  Every time we get him ready for bed and say our good nights... he smiles and giggles.  Especially at his big sister.  He is a great sleeper now.  (Yeah for mommy!)  He usually goes to bed around 7 and gets up around 6:30 am.  Sometimes he will just sit up in his crib talking until we come and get him. 

Nana is teaching him to make vroom sounds with all his cars and trucks.  He makes a lot of sounds that sound like mama, but they sound more like... mamamamamamamama.  He can wave bye-bye.  I have heard him say Baba for his bottle.  (Which he still likes to drink independently on the floor by himself.)  No holding this kid. (Refer back to the he is now happy when he learned independence.)

Here is Gavin's Signature pose.  He does this when he doesn't want to be talked to or someone he doesn't know talks to him.  He is quite the dramatic little boy.  I wonder where that comes from?

Gavin's First Birthday Party

Having a winter birthday allows for some creativity on party planning. We decided to have Gavin's 1st Birthday at a local hotel. We were able to rent a party room and the pool with water slide on a Sunday afternoon.

The Birthday Cake!

The Birthday King!

Opening Presents!

Happy Birthday to you!  Dear Gavin... Happy Birthday to you!

What's this?

Um, this isn't so bad!

Wait, I really like this.

I can't seem to keep my hands out of my mouth, it is just that good.

I don't think this is enough.  Can I have more?

Thanks for taking me swimming Nana!

Swimming with Nana.

It was a great party with family and friends.

Little's One Graduate

Kaitlyn just completed her first full session at Foss Swim School and has become a wonderful little swimmer.  She has come a long way since September.  Her instructor Deborah awarded her the most improved student.  Our little girl went from not wanting to get her face wet, to swimming with her face in the water for over 6 seconds.  The Fall session was 16 weeks long and finally on the last day... she mastered all the skills to move onto Little's two!  We are so proud of our little girl. 

Kaitlyn waiting to receive her award for passing Little's one on the last night of Swimming lessons.

So happy!

Christmas Day at the Brehmer's

Christmas Day we headed to my sister's house for a little brunch and to open more presents.  I still can't believe how nice it was outside on Christmas day.  We can't complain with temps in the 40's in late December.

Uncle Randy and Josie.

Mommy and Gavin.

Gavin and Bopapa

Nana's present from "all of us".  We are excited to add another name to this shirt once our nephew arrives in a few short months.

Kaitlyn helping Gavin open up one of his presents.

Nap time with Nana

Making sugar cookies.  Our new annual Christmas Day tradition.

Gavin's new Excavator from Aunty Anny and Uncle Randy.

He loves it.

Mommy and her babies.

Bopapa and his grand kids (including Baby B's bump).

The McNeilly's

Kaitlyn, Gavin and Nana

Nate and I on Christmas day.



Is it still Winter? Is it Christmas in MN?

The weather has been seasonably warm this December.  Christmas day we still didn't have any snow on the ground and it was about 40 degrees.

One of Kaitlyn's presents from Bopapa was a new bike.  Her new bike has a baby carrier, so she can bring her baby with on bike rides this spring and summer.  Since the weather was nice and no snow we decided she could take her new bike for a spin.

Daddy putting together her new bike.

A perfect fit!

Look mommy I can ride my bike with my baby.

Santa Came

Kaitlyn and Gavin must have been good this year because Santa came to our house.  Kaitlyn was the first up and was so excited to go out to the living room to see if Santa came.

Kaitlyn and her baby crib from Santa.

Gavin and his new toy balls from Santa.

Patient daddy putting together Kaitlyn's baby doll crib.

Gavin opening his new puppy from his big sister.

Thanks sister for my new talking puppy.

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve my mom (nana) and dad (bopapa) came over for dinner and to open a few presents. 

Kaitlyn opening her presents from Nana.

Gavin trying to figure out how to open presents.

Kaitlyn excited that she had lots of presents to open.

McNeilly Family Christmas

This past weekend we headed to Mora to celebrate the McNeilly and Lindquist family Christmas's.  It was fun to see all the cousins opening their presents.  We have found that we have to get similar gifts for all the cousins or there might be some sad faces.

Cousin Darren opening present at Aunty Mel's and Uncle Sam's House.

Cousin Hailey excited for all the presents.

Aunty Mandi helping Gavin open his presents.

One of Kaitlyn's presents.

Cousin Gibson opening his presents.