Love our Aunt Magz

Gavin loves his Aunt Magz... she came over once we got home from the 10 day tour. And, she has the touch to make Gavin smile from ear to ear...

We survived the Christmas Tour

So our first Christmas with Gavin - what a special one! Here were a few of the highlights and lessons learned:
- Never wake up Gavin in the car when driving long distances (i.e. 4-7 hours visiting family members)
- Nursing in the car with little room, folding down the front seat and changing Gavin's diaper - who knew Scott's car was made for babies
-Mommy does NOT need to take a separate bag of just her shoes
- Daddy learned the act of "perfection" when it came to packing ALL of our personal belongings for the trip PLUS adding in all of our gifts (we only had to keep a few things back at G&G's houses)
- Mommy does not need to pack EVERYTHING that Gavin owns (you just never know what you will need)
- Giving a bottle in the middle of the night from Daddy was a revelation for Mommy's sleep and mood
- Gavin could sleep in the pack-n-play or crib (THANK GOD - he is flexible from the start)
- Having an answer to "How long is Gavin sleeping at night?".... we just started making things up
- Listening to everyone's thoughts on who Gavin looks like (Illinois - looks like Stacy and Michigan - looks like Scott)
- Lastly, truly understanding the meaning of Christmas - love from family & friends and enjoying the best gift of all, our precious Gavin.

To view all of our photos during the 2007 Christmas Tour - click below:
http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0AZN2bNu5asWLD3g&emid=sharshar&linkid=link5

Now that is a Party - Gillard Christmas Party

Each year, the Gillards host a Christmas party at their home for family and friends to celebrate the holidays. My first year dating Scott, it was quite the party - staying up till 3 a.m., late night in the hot tub with friends, enjoying in "adult beverages" (lots of adult beverages....). And oh, how the years and our lives have changed too. We were so excited to see several of Scott's friends - several of whom brought their kids - but everyone was gone by 8 p.m. And, the house was empty by 11 p.m.... it is crazy what happens when you "grow up," have kids - yes, your bedtime is a little earlier now. It was great to see so many family and friends - and Gavin got to meet Mark too - another very special friend in our lives.

Cousin Ty Loves to Tickle & Give Kisses

Gavin loves spending time with his cousin, Ty.... I think he knows how to tickle Gavin and also give good kisses. And, Gavin loved getting a bottle from Grandma G.

Grandpa G. and Storytime

Grandpa G. loves his grandsons and we had to take time for a story to be read. Now that is just too precious....

Look at those PJ's

Grandma & Grandpa Gillard bought matching pajamas for Ty and Gavin - so of course we had to get some pictures of them together. And - oh how that was fun. At first - just fine, then crying - then mommy needs to console and then let's lay on Gavin.

True Blue - Gillard Family Photo

OK - so we didn't all wake up on Thursday morning and decide to wear blue. Yes, it was coordinated - but what a great family photo! And, how cute are those two little boys in their matching snowman pj's from Grandma and Grandpa. This one will for sure go in a frame! We are so blessed to have such a wonderful family.... Gavin will be loved so much!

Gavin meets U. Sam & E-Dog

There are definitely friends in our lives that will have influence on Gavin, and Eric & Sam are for sure two of them. Gavin got to meet both of them over Christmas - and had just started smiling too. So, they got to catch some of his "new" tricks of the trade.

Gillard Christmas

Gavin loved his first Christmas in Michigan with G&G Gillard, Heather, Tom & cousin Ty. We celebrated with everyone in Michigan after Christmas this year - but we kept enjoying the holidays this way. And, Gavin loved everything in his stocking - maybe Daddy had more fun with Gavin's gifts this year. And, Ty helped open presents for Gavin too.

Our Visit with GG Gillard

Here is a short video from our visit with Great-Grandma Gillard... Happy Birthday!

Great-Grandma Gillard's Birthday

Gavin got to meet his Great-Grandma Gillard for the first time - and on her birthday too! She turned 88 years old on December 27th.

The whole family went to visit Great-Grandma for Christmas too.

Back in the car - heading to Michigan

After a wonderful visit in Illinois with my family - we were excited to head to Michigan to spend a few days with the Gillards - Scott's family. The trip took us about 7 hours and we didn't know how Gavin would be in the car that long - however, he slept for 5 hours straight, fed once, stayed awake for a while and then back to sleep until we got there. He was REALLY good in the car - thank God! Way to go Gavin - thanks for making your parents lives a little easier with all of our trips.

We were excited to see everyone and as you can tell - Gavin and Ty (our nephew) couldn't wait to see one another!

Merry Christmas

Santa arrived at Grandma & Grandpa Cross' house and we spent the entire day there. In fact, we didn't get out of our PJ's until early afternoon - it was very nice and relaxing. Then we spent some time with the family and enjoyed Christmas together. I think Gavin was starting to get pooped out from everything...

Fun video with Grandma Janet & Family

Here is a quick snapshot of Grandma Janet and everyone on the Kastner side "loving" Gavin and his new outfit for Christmas!

"I'm On Santa's Nice List"

So getting ready for Santa in Illinois is a big deal and of course calls for a new outfit for Gavin - thus the "I'm on Santa's Nice List." Now let me try to paint a picture of what happened when I brought him out to show everyone (this of course was after changing a very poopy diaper).... everyone went nuts!!! The cameras were going, we put him on the couch - it was like the paparazzi invaded our family! How funny!!! It was very fun and the funny thing is that Gavin will not remember any of it - thank God for photos!

More Family Photos

Here is another 4-generation photo - Great-Grandparents Kastner, Grandma Janet (my mom), me/Stacy & then Gavin. Pretty special!

Then, the whole cousin crew with Grandma & Grandpa - and of course we threw in Gavin.

Lastly, my mom's siblings - David & Mary Ann - along with Judy and my dad, Gary. We LOVE taking photos on the Kastner side - it never gets old. And, we enjoyed seeing our family friends - "The Froebe's" while we were home too. It was great seeing them and all their kids - now they have a busy house over Christmas.

Christmas Eve at the Kastners'

It has been a tradition ever since I've been born, I think that we spend Christmas Eve with my mom's family - the Kastner side. For many years we have been enjoying a brunch (it may be my favorite meal of the entire year...) with our family and enjoying the entire day together. So - it was exciting for Gavin to get to experience this for the first time too.

Uncle David and Great-Grandma couldn't get enough of Gavin.
And, we can't forget about Aunt Mary Ann - she is so special and has recently dedicated a shrine at her home to Gavin (yes, her refrigerator is filled with pictures of Gavin - how cute!).

Christmas Eve was at David & Judy's this year - cute photo of Judy & Andrea together.

Fun photos at the Cross Christmas

So as new parents visiting the family - it is awesome! Everyone wants to hold your new baby... so Gavin got to meet lots of people and we got a break here and there.

And - we can't forget about Uncle Ryan - he loves calling Gavin, "little guy."

Cross Christmas

The two newest babies on the Cross side - Tyler (Dustin and Angie's little boy) and Gavin (he's ours....).

Here are some more Cross cousins - Landon, Hayden, Lauryn and Avery - all from the same family.

And then, 4 generations - Great-Grandpa Cross, Grandpa Cross & Stacy/Gavin. There's Uncle Tom and Dustin too....

Gavin meets his new friend, Cade

So Gavin got to meet another friend, Cade Leesman - and he also got to meet his big brother, Keegan. (Although, Keegan was way too busy for a photo - he was more interested in playing with his train). I'm holding Cade and Dana is holding Gavin... so cute!

Then we got all dressed up and attended Great-Grandma and Grandpa's 60th Wedding Anniversary Celebration - don't you love the digs? Pretty sweet looking...

More Kastner cousins

So I love playing "dress-up" with Gavin.... as you can see, coordinating hat with sweater. So darn cute - can't you tell he loves it? He is going to kill me someday...

So much fun with all the Kastners - here is Alyson and Drew getting some good 1-on-1 time. Loved seeing everyone while we were in Illinois!

Gavin meets the rest of the Kastner Family

Gavin got to meet Ryan's girlfriend (Stacy's brother) Amy, who just got home from Australia where she is playing professional softball. We love Amy lots and it was so great to see her - and Amy - when I get bigger will you show some of your "softball throws???"

And who was out to greet me the minute we got to their house - Uncle David! What a guy - I can see how he loves babies... so I'm all set! He may be my favorite...

Gavin loved getting extra time with the cousins too - here is Andrea holding him!

Gavin meets his Great-Grandma & Grandpa Kastner

Gavin loved meeting his great grandparents - Leona & Bob Kastner. What a joy to have both of them here to meet Gavin too!

They couldn't get enough of him and made a special trip over to see him right away.

Meeting Wyatt Kirby

Illinois at G&G Cross' home

Gavin and I got to meet the newest member of the Kirby family - Wyatt. What a cutie - Bobbie Jo (friend from college) drove over from Champaign to visit and it was fun for the boys to meet each other too. Because of course they knew what was going on.... and how fun to get both newborns to look at the camera - not happening.

Kick-Off to the 10-Day Christmas Tour

So we officially kicked off the "10 Day Christmas Tour" to Illinois and then to Michigan to visit each of our families. So as new parents, we literally packed tons of stuff for Gavin. You know the essentials - we had a feeding bag, bathing bag, sleeping bag and then the green suitcase was just for him. It is a whole new world traveling with a baby - I (Stacy) pack enough for myself for the entire family - so I had to "downsize" this year. But if you ask Scott that didn't happen because I had a bag just for my shoes... I am such a girl!

We were excited to share the holidays with our families - so the journey began at about 5 p.m. on December 20th.

And - could Scott see out of the car as we were driving - well take a look for yourself.... yikes!