New Toy to Play with...

It's amazing all the things that become toys and things to play with - like the plastic beer bottle below. Not sure how that ended up on the floor - but clearly a good distraction and made lots of noise when hitting the floor. However - it is going to be some time before you are drinking any of that little man....

Thanks Nawroth's for a fun summer party - and we loved all the Tastefully Simple food too (thanks Katie)!

Group Photos - So Much Fun!

What happens when you try to get 5 babies - under the age of 1 all in the same photo

see below....

Greta is on the go and didn't really want to sit and look at the camera and I think that is Jack's leg in the corner - he was on the go too.

Now - they are all in there - but what are they looking at? Oh probably me (Stacy) that started making really loud noises, along with others, so they would look at the camera...
(L to R) Gabby, Gavin, Greta, Ella & Jack

Well - Jack was done with the photo and Greta - I think we scared her with all the loud noise - but then again, Gavin is use to me being loud and silly to take photos - nice smile!

Who is this Gabby girl leaning on me - she is kinda cute! And, Greta, what is up with that beer bottle - I think she may be a little too young??? (yes for those wondering, it was plastic....)

Happy 8 months Gav

Our little baby is growing up right before our eyes - 8 months today! Where does the time go - but each day and every month, we so enjoy spending time with you - loving you, laughing with you and most of all, watching the world through your eyes. We love you so very much - and does this look like a mischeivous smile or what?!?!?!

Babysitting Greta

Our friend, Melanie is teaching class at Xaiver 3 nights a week and her husband, Joe is out of town this week volunteering in New Orleans - so Melanie asked us to watch Greta on Monday night. Gavin and Greta are 5 weeks apart and they had fun hanging out together before heading to bed - and we LOVED being able to spend more time with Greta too.

We ended up playing upstairs for a while and this photo was hillarious because it looks like Greta is sitting on Gavin - but she really isn't. Gavin "cheesed" it up at first for the camera - but then was ready to move but couldn't figure out where to go. Pretty cute...

And - Greta is crawling all over the place now - and Gavin would just stare at her trying to figure out how he could do the same thing.... I'm sure he will moving around in no time too.

Can we say "MESSY"

Gavin started feeding himself in the last couple of weeks - and we gave him his first "biter biscuit" - I literally think this "biscuit" is like a dog bone because he could have knawed on this for hours.... and it was VERY messy! But he loved it....

Miss you Already...

Thanks Grandma & Grandpa for coming to visit - I had so much fun! I love my new toolkit and can't wait to play with it! Thanks for playing with me, feeding me, teaching me to put the ball in the basketball hoop, laughing and rocking me (and it was fun showing you all my new "tricks" too) - I love you so much and can't wait to see you soon!

Grandma's Love

I love when Grandma feeds me...

and I love her sunglasses too - pretty cool!

Wee... going Down the Slide!

1st time on the slide with mommy.

Afternoon at the Park with G&G Cross

Grandma & Grandpa Cross (i.e. my parents) just couldn't stay away from Gavin for too long (yes - they clearly can go a couple of months without seeing us - but Gavin, NO WAY!). So they drove in from IL for the weekend. We had a great day at the park on Saturday (although it was a little hot out...). And - if you didn't notice - Gavin has also started figuring out that "he" can take off his hat (yes, his mother/I have been obsessed with him in little hats... so not sure how long that will last). The hat is off in this photo....

We love our Tubby

Did someone just pour water all over their face?

Gavin loves playing in the bathtub - splashing, playing with toys/cups, grabbing the faucet... he is on the move in the tub.... beware!

And - check out that mowhawk again...

What to do in the summer.....

Gavin and I have enjoyed many days in the pool this summer - and Scott/Daddy joined us (actually only once so far) too... we love splashing... and chewing on our toys!

Boating video

Video of Gavin on Mullett Lake up north in Michigan enjoying his first ride on the ski boat, also a quick scan of the whole family enjoying the water and the weather.

Pictures from Gavin's first trip Up North

While Mommy was at work in Chicago for her big every other year Convention, Gavin and I drove up to the Detroit area and then on to the Gillard family cottage on Black River near Cheboygan in the northern lower peninsula in Michigan. Grandma and Grandpa made the trip up to the cottage with us and Aunt Heather, Uncle Tom and Cousin Ty had made the trip the day before. We spent the long weekend there for the holiday.

Wow did we have absolutely beautiful weather as we enjoyed spending quality time with family, boating, having a campfire or two, a little golf and some time at the beach. Most important, spent time with family and got to see extended family when my Aunt Beth and cousin Corey came over with husband Sean and 2 precious girls Reegan and Kendall.

Great time, here are some pictures, some videos to come and will try to share more pictures that others took that I did not get.

We missed Mommy, but had a great time.

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