Gavin's - 1 year photos

In early October, we took Gavin for his 1-year photos with Kortnee, Simply Timeless.
We love her so much and what a gift she has to capture our little boy's life this past year.
We took the photos at Parky Farms and what a beautiful day it was....

We are thrilled with how the photos turned out - and now the hard process of deciding which ones to get. The big 1st birthday is coming up very soon..... (I can't believe it!?!?!?!)

To view all the photos, go to:
http://simplytimelessphotography.com/
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** And we made Kortnee's blog too - be sure to check it out - click on Blog off of their homepage website.

Playing in my room with Mommy

Some good stuff in here. Some crawling, some snuggling with my blankie, playing with books and hilariously playing with camera while Mommy is filming me. Good stuff.

Gavin loves books

Gavin loves his books and pulling them off his bookshelf. Once he gets about a dozen on the floord, he thens flips through a few. He really likes a few of the peek-a-boo books he has that has flaps with something or someone behind it.

October 14, 2008

How big is Gavin???

I think you all know the answer to that. Grandpa Gillard definitely does. Here he is working his magic. Gavin does not really do so big with anyone else and has not done it much since, but certainly looks to have the hang of it here. Gavin loved hanging out with family at the Shoemaker family reunion, laughing, having fun, swimming and spending quality time with G&G, A Heather and U Tom, Ty, great aunts and uncles, and lots of cousins. Good times had by all.

September 13, 2008

Grand Haven

Here we are continuing on our Michigan vacation and our exploration of towns up and down the Lake Michigan coast. This time we are in Grand Haven checking out the pier, the harbor, the lighthouse, the beach and Lake Michigan. We loved exploring each different area and finding places to eat, drink, walk and have fun.

September 11, 2008

Enjoying the sunset

Enjoying one of my favorite things in life, the sunset over Lake Michigan, with my favorite things in life, my family. Doesn't get any better than this.

September 10, 2008

Hiking with the Gillards!

Here is a special treat. Not only Gavin's first hiking trip, but probably Stacy's too. We had to park and hike through the woods to get to the beach at Saugatuck Dunes State Park in Michigan. Stacy led the way for the family...

September 10, 2008

Belly Laugh

We can never get enough of Gavin's laugh...

September 8, 2008

New Holland Brewery - Michigan vacation

On vacation in Michigan, we headed to several breweries in the towns we visited. One of our favorites - New Holland Brewery (shout out to Johnmark). Daddy loves trying some new beer - mommy too - and Gavin - well he enjoyed his own drink too.

September 8, 2008

Loved the Pumpkin Patch

Gavin loved his first trip to the pumpkin patch in Michigan... thanks G&G Gillard, Heather, Tom & Ty - we had lots of fun kicking off the fall season with you all!

Gavin's 1st pumpkin

Just the right size of pumpkin for Gavin

Time with the Grandkids

Grandma & Grandpa Gillard with their grandkids - Gavin & Ty.

Thanks to Tom for figuring out how to take this photo through the back of this bench with the heart.... Tom - you may be on your way to professional photography.

Pretty cute... and Gavin loves spending time with G&G Gillard.... of course, Ty too.

September 28, 2008

Playing on the Train

Gavin loved playing on the train with his cousin, Ty. He even grabbed his hat, which he thought was pretty funny!

What am I sitting on?

What is this black and white stripe thing I'm sitting on? Holy cow...

Fall Mums... and Gavin too

Like I mentioned before - this pumpkin patch had a ton of fun things for kids to play with and great spots for photos too. So of course, we had to put Gavin in every single location on site:

(He will love me someday for this... yeah, right?!?!?!)

And he loves clapping - so excited about the mums too!

Can I eat the mums?

Ok - I'm over sitting by the mums - time to check this place out. We don't like sitting very much these days.... on the go!

September 28, 2008

More pictures at the Pumpkin Patch

He loved playing with the straw and of course, putting it in his mouth too.

My mom is addicted to taking photos - I think I'm ready for a break already! And where did my John Deere tractor go?

September 28, 2008

My 1st ride - John Deere tractor

While we were in Michigan with the Gillard family, the other "fall" outting that was a must was going to the pumpkin patch - they had tons of different things for kids to do. Our first stop - (and yes, my farmer family would be proud) - Gavin's 1st stop on the John Deere tractor (kid style):

OK - so Gavin can't touch the pedals yet by himself - but it won't be too long.....
















He LOVED sitting on this tractor and didn't want to get off. We kept pushing and pulling him around.












He kept looking at Ty trying to figure out how he could push the pedals too.

Gavin - you are going to fit in just great at Cross Farms!

September 28, 2008

Michigan Vacation - Douglas Beach

Gotta love the beach and Lake Michigan - and what a beautiful fall day!

September 7, 2008

We LOVE Fall - and The Cider Mill Too

So, while we were in Michigan - we of course had to do the "traditional" fall outtings with the Gillard family!

First - to the Cider Mill where we ate spiced donuts and apple cider. It is BY FAR the best I have ever had - and it is a must each fall! Love it - Gavin's 1st trip this year.

Gavin was checking out the ducks with Grandma in the pond - and then Ty and Tom joined in too. So you feed the ducks in the pond - Gavin was really trying to figure this out.

September 27, 2008

Happy Birthday Eric!

The last weekend in September, we headed up to Michigan for a very quick trip as Eric, one of Scott's very good friends, was celebrating his birthday (the big 2-9). Keri, his girlfriend, pulled together a party and we wanted to be sure that we could make it - Happy Birthday Eric! We were so happy that we could be there to celebrate with you!

Again - we have trained our son that he will eat, sleep and play anywhere....

(or at least most of the time, right?!?!!?):

Like eating and drinking in your chair on the living room floor...

Yes - we love clapping our hands now - AND do you see those curls in the back? Not sure where he got those - but they are pretty cute. And still a blondy with blue eyes - such a little charmer!

Scott's friends, Mike & Jill Lovati just had their first baby - a girl, Lauren that we got to meet as well. She was only 3 weeks old - so cute!!

September 27, 2008

Grandma Cross comes for a visit

So Grandma Cross (my mom) came to hang out for a few days with Gavin in September.

It was so much fun spending time with her - and of course Gavin loved it!

While she was here, Gavin's Halloween costume came in - BUT we will have to save that for the end of this month... here's a clue though: A little stinker?!?!?!

(So we can't show those photos yet - but they were pretty funny)

Here were a few photos from Grandma's visit:

Grandma and Gavin went to the park - he loves going for a swing...

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This looks like a little "hellish" look for sure!

And - yes, we have 6 teeth now.

And, Grandma got Gavin some snow/work boots. What we didn't capture was Gavin standing up and the boots were on the wrong feet.... thanks for the boots anyway Grandma!

Hopefully next time we will get them on the right feet.

September 20-24, 2008

Gavin's new "pose"

So in mid-September Gavin started doing this thing when we say "Patty-Cake" he covers his ears.... I guess he doesn't like Patty-Cake or maybe is just tired of hearing us talk.

Hanging out at Max's Birthday Party

Here are a few more photos from Max's birthday party....

Thanks to Mark for letting us try out his new camera - we just purchased one for ourselves!

"Cheese" mommy

Showing Gavin how to color...

* And nice beer can in the photo too -

September 20, 2008

My Friend, Max Turns 1!

If you all remember, when we found out we were pregnant with Gavin - we had LOTS of other friends that were pregnant too! Therefore, lots of Gavin's friends are turning 1 this fall.

Max, and his parents Jill & Matt, live in Mariemont, where we live, and Max/Gavin will be in the same class when they start school. Jill and Matt are friends with our neighbors - and we got connected with them while we were pregnant. Max turned 1 in September and we were excited to share in his special day at the park...

Here is Max & Gavin - along with Max's mom, Jill and Daddy!

I just LOVE eating goldfish - great snack at the party Max!

September 20, 2008

Shoemaker Family Reunion

Concluding our Michigan family vacation - we headed over to Mt. Pleasant and enjoyed time with Scott's mom, Laurie and her family - The Shoemaker side.

We had a great time and many of the "Shoemaker" side had not met Gavin yet - so that was lots of fun for all.

We didn't take any pictures from the reuion - but hope to add some later on.

Thanks for a fun family reunion - we always love getting together!

September 12-14, 2008

Our Day Trips - Michigan vacation

While we were on vacation in Michigan - we headed up and down the Lake Michigan coast to lots of different little towns - from South Haven, to Holland, to Grand Haven. Each town had their own little "flare" and lots of fun shopping, restarants, sitting/walking outside... and we had wonderful fall weather - highs in the low 70's.

Here was one of our day trips to Grand Haven. We had lunch at this great little restaurant and ate outside and then headed for a walk on the pier and around the bay area.

Grand Haven Pier & Lighthouse

Grand Haven bay

Daddy and Gavin pose for a pic

Gavin was so great on this trip - totally went with the flow - slept in the car, ate when we did, he was quite the little trooper and loved being outside for sure!

September 11, 2008

Daddy and Gavin

Love these pics during the sunsets...

And we can't wait to take more vacations like this in Michigan!

September 10, 2008

Our Family Trip - Western Michigan

In early September, the three of us headed to western Michigan for a week for a nice and relaxing family vacation. We rented a cottage in Saugatuck, MI (it was awesome - and 6 blocks from Lake Michigan). Scott grew up going on family camping trips on the western side of Michigan and had fond memories of watching the sunsets over Lake Michigan - so we had to check it our for ourselves.

It was just beautiful - and by far one of the best trips we have taken together....

September 8, 2008

The Gillards ARE BACK

OK - so no we haven't moved to a foreign country or left the whole blogging world - BUT we have been crazy busy these last 2 months.

From 2 vacations to family/friend gatherings to lots of weekend trips - we have been slacking on posting what has been going on with Gavin. Here is a sneak pic of Gavin too - yes, he is covering his ears (are we talking too loud?!?!?!):

Check back soon for MANY new updates, videos and photos this week.

* And we got a new camera, so we are excited to take lots more photos of Gavin!