We're still here!

I'll be surprised if anyone reads this...I had just about given up on myself and the blog! But now that the weather is getting cooler and we'll be inside more, I'm going to try to get back into doing it again!

Wow...where to begin. First and foremost, I am ANXIOUSLY awaiting the arrival of Miss Stella Rose, Kyle and Haley's baby! She could be here anyday and we are SOOOO excited to meet her! Please keep them in your prayers for a happy, healthy baby and delivery! I can't wait to be Aunt KK and spoil our little girl!

As for my little guy, he's not so little anymore! He never ceases to amaze me. He has NO fear-I just walked into his room and he had taken his shirt off(random) and was crying because he jumped off his play table onto his little chair and scared himself- and told me exactly what he did! Here are a few new pics of the little man.

I'll be sure to add more soon. We've had lots of fun outings to share! Our next adventure will be a pumpkin patch this weekend. Can't wait!

Spring Pics

Long time, no post...I know. Too busy with the little man, work, and trying to be a great wife/daughter/friend/etc. Something's gotta give! I'll try to get better! In the meantime, here are a few new pics of our little superstar! He's talking (and singing) up a storm. His favorite songs are Pokerface, Boom Boom Pow, and anything by Sugarland. Wonder who he's in the car with the most...me maybe? He has an incredible vocabulary for 16 months, and repeats everything and can even use it in context. It's so much fun! We spend our evenings going to the park, riding tractors in the driveway, and watering plants so there is little time to play and post here lately. Hope all of you are happy and healthy and enjoying the warmer weather! Happy Spring!

What a week...

I guess I should say what a month, since it's been that long since I've taken the time to sit down and post anything. I've officially returned to work since my surgery, and it was a tough week! I had to go to Vegas for a National meeting/new product launch which was great...lots of work but got to play a little too! However, I'm about 40-50% with my shoulder so it wore me out. Really long uncomfortable days...probably should have stayed in at night to do my exercises and ice it but come on...it's VEGAS!!!!

Well, at least it was fun until Wednesday. I then got a call that one of my favorite relatives had passed away. My wonderful Aunt Linda Nicodemus, God rest her soul, left us to be in a better place. She was the kindest, most loving, most humble woman I think I've ever known. She lived a long life of illness and pain but not once did I ever hear her complain. I honestly don't know of anyone that went through what she did in her lifetime. As hard as it is to accept she is no longer here, I am so glad for her that she no longer has to suffer. God has a special place for her in heaven, and I truly believe she was an angel on earth, so I know she'll be an extra special one in heaven. Please keep my Uncle Nick, cousins David and Rachael, and the rest of her family in your thoughts and prayers.

Fun trip to the Park!

Just chose a new background...LOVING IT!

I had to choose a shamrock motif. For those of you who don't know...Greg and I got married on St. Patty's Day almost 3 years ago! Time flies soooo fast! We now have an extremely energetic and talkative 14 month old! Sorry it's been so long since I've blogged. Between work and my shoulder surgery a couple weeks ago, I've been out of commission. Lots to catch up on!

First and foremost...I'm so excited to be an aunt! I can't even express how excited I am to have another little one to love as much as I love Gavin! I see how much Kyle and Haley (aka Buddy and Hay-Hay) love him and it makes me so excited to meet my new neice/nephew! It's just as exciting as having your own! Get ready, Buddy and Hay-Hay, for love like you've never experienced, and love like you've never seen from your family.

I. CAN'T. WAIT.

SPOILED...

Speaking of spoiled...my little one isn't exactly hurting in the attention department. Since my surgery, he has pretty much had double attention most of the time. If I'm home, someone is here to help me. He loves it! His little vocabulary is out of control! We have a new word everyday. Today at daycare he learned to put his finger to his mouth and say "Shhhhh...."

Wow. I can't believe he is telling us to be quiet!

This weekend we went to the park with Nanny (Aunt Annalise) and had a ball! It was our first trip to our neighborhood park and he loved it! He is such a big boy. He went down slides, played in the sand, and walked and ran all over. He is my workout!

Checking out the scenery. I think I like this place...

Loving my Nanny taking me down the slide! Weeeee!

TO MY WIFE KARA, ON HER BIRTHDAY

The above picture is of us at the airport on our way to get married in Vegas. I consider this a fitting image of when my life started with my beautiful wife Kara. It's funny how you look back on your life before you met the one you were destined to spend forever with and details become difficult. Then they become easy. I'll never really know what it is that I said or did to make Kara fall in love with me. Whatever it was, I thank God that I did it right. I will never consider myself a failure in this world because marrying a woman like Kara has to be the greatest success any man could ever achieve. Speaking of details:

I remember everything in detail when it comes to her.

I remember how beautiful you were and what you were wearing when we first met. I mean truly met. I know you had a huge crush on me in Junior High but that was a long time ago.

I remember what you were wearing and how gorgeous you looked on our first official date. I pretty much knew by the end of that night by the way.

I remember how beautiful you were in your wedding dress. (Even Elvis thought so)

I remember where I was when my mom said she hit "reply all" on her email and told every Arbonne Lady in the tri-state area that we went on a date. I remember I told her not to worry about it cause I thought it was the beginning of something special.

I remember exactly where I was when you told me there was a little force of nature growing inside of you.

I remember how in awe I was how you handled bringing Gavin into this world. I swear you never even looked nervous. There are mothers, and then there is you.

I don't remember our first big yelling fight because we've never had one. Ever.

I would pat myself on the back for remembering these things, and a bunch of little things in between, but to be honest it's you that deserves the credit. It's easy to remember the wonderful things that you brought into my world. You always put other people before yourself, you are a perfect mother and wife. You're even an amazing cook and I'm an amazing eater. I mean how perfect is that, you can't make this stuff up. I love you more than I could ever put into words. Thank you for loving me back.

Your Husband,

Greg

And for all you lovers out there, Happy Valentine's Day!

What a fun Weekend!

After a CRAZY week stuck inside, we were all so ready to get out and enjoy some sunshine and fresh air! We headed out Saturday morning to visit Gigi and Papa Skippy at the ranch in Alma. We finally got to meet the new pet llamas! Here are some pics of Gavin enjoying our new furry friends...

From the farm we headed to Conway for more fun! We went to visit our friends Hank and Hollie and Connor, and had a blast! Gavin got a great new truck from Hank's mom which he LOVES and got to take a ride in Hank's 1928 John Deere Ford that his dad built. He had a blast!

T.I.R.E.D.

That word pretty much sums it up for me lately. I really thought that my vacation (2 weeks) over the holidays would make me refreshed and full of vim and vigor.

WRONG.

Between holidays, birthdays, travel, sickness, upcoming layoffs, and the list goes on...I'm just exhausted. Poor little Gavin has been sick for 8 days now. It started out as a bad ear infection and NO sleep, and has progressed to what we're not sure...taking him back to the doctor tomorrow for the third time this week(after 3 different antibiotics and a lot of ibuprofen). Bless his sweet little heart! There is nothing as horrible as seeing your little one sick. I'd rather be 5 times as sick myself. Words can't express how it breaks your heart to see all those little tears!

I didn't realize how lucky we are to have such a great baby who sleeps through the night EVERY night until the last week. God bless all parents who deal with this on a regular basis! I don't deserve to complain but it sure is hard trying to get going on 2-3 hours of sleep.

We have been pretty uneventful other than work and taking care of the little guy. I did enter Gavin in Regis and Kelly's cutest baby contest...(Sarah Thomas if you are reading this please don't enter Kate...I think it would hurt his ego to get beat by a girl at this young age!) As far as work goes, I've been updating my resume just in case...my company is doing a BIG layoff on the 30th so the stress level has been pretty high on my end. Wish me luck! I love my job and hope to keep it!

Hopefully we'll have some fun pictures to add after the weekend. My in-laws have a farm and just bought 2 llamas-yes, llamas- to chase off stray dogs. One is for Greg's sis Addison (his name is Charlie) and one is for Gavin (his name is Lester) so I'm pretty sure if Gavin is feeling better this weekend we will have to go meet his new pet! I bet nobody else can say they are going to visit their new pet llama this weekend!

Everybody loves a smash cake!

Happy Birthday to You, Happy Birthday to You!

Happy Birthday Dear Gavin, Happy Birthday to You!

Thank you little man for the BEST YEAR of our lives! I don't remember what life was like without you and I don't want to! It just gets better everyday!

Here are a few pics of little G enjoying his first birthday cake! I'm still finding icing...

Yum Yum! Love me some birthday cake!

Happy New Year/ 30th Birthday Greg!

Me and the birthday boy!

Eric, Greg, Drew, and Birthday Girl Annalise!

What a week! As if Christmas and New Year's aren't enough activity for one week, we have Greg's birthday on the 4th and Gavin's on the 7th of January. (And Aunt Annalise on the 1st and GiGi and Papa's anniversary on the 3rd...) Too much activity for such a short time frame! And this year is big for both my boys...Greg turns 30 and Gavin turns 1! I can't believe that he's been here for a year. CRAZY!!! Lucky for me I've been off work for 2 weeks.

Well, we decided to ring in the New Year with a party at our house. We did this for several years in a row but it's been a couple of years since our last party. I was wanting to do something for Greg for the BIG 30, but he is IMPOSSIBLE to surprise so he was aware we were having a party. I got him a cake and decorated to throw in a little twist. We had a great turnout (30+ people through the course of the night!) and we had tons of fun! Here are a few pictures of our goodbye to 2008! (As you'll see most of the pics were taken at the beginning of the evening...)

Here are a few of our favorite friends and family! Thanks for taking the time to come celebrate with us...we love you all!

Greg, Me, Kyle, and Haley

Hank and Hollie

Emily, Me, and Annalise

Wilson and Katy

Katy, Haley, Emily, Me, Hollie and Birthday Girl Annalise

Matt and Char

Last but definitely not least, Gavin made a new best friend on New Year's Eve! He fell in love with Hank and had to be with him wherever he went! Here is a picture of him and his new BFF.

Happy New Year everyone! Hope 2009 is a great year for you all!