Happy Holidays from The Gillards (the ten of us)

All the Gillards and Ciuffetellis together to celebrate!

Grandma and Grandpa and the grandkids

#2

Happy Holidays from The Gillards (the three of us)

The faces of Gavin-holiday version

One cute dude.

Hanging ornaments on the tree

Looking like a big boy

Loved playing fireman

Gavin and cousins

Here is (from l to r) Gavin and his cousins Jack, Ty and Luc. He had a great time playing with them while celebrating the Holidays in Michigan.




The adorable twins Jack and Luc (almost 7 months old)

Gavin and Ty are tough to separate when they are together

One more that I thought was cute and funny...

Now let's Rest Up...

Lot's more celebrating in the coming days...

Merry Christmas!

And the best gift from Santa....

Gavin's new Thomas the Train set... LOVES IT!

In fact, he wanted to take Thomas & Stanley to bed with him tonight... too cute!

I'm thinking we are going to be playing with this for a while....

My new Fish Tent

Santa made an EARLY visit

So - Santa stopped by the Gillard house a "little" early this year....

(We are getting ready to head out in the morning for our 9-day Christmas tour.)

And let me just say - celebrating with a 2-year old was just priceless.

* Check out last year with Gavin... and a one more!

Although Gavin doesn't really get who "Santa" is -

he sure gets opening gifts and playing with new toys!

It was so much fun... we are blessed to share this time together.

I think somebody was a good boy this year....

Mommy helping Gavin pull out the Thomas puzzle pieces...

And - this boy is totally into "Super Why" - and loves coloring.

I LOVE my new Super Why

(or as Gavin would say, "SuperBye"... so cute!)

LOVE me some Candy Cane

And.... a balloon doggie!

We hope that everyone has a wonderful Christmas with their families & friends.

We will have more updates after Christmas.... HO, HO, HO!!!

Breakfast with Santa - Part 2

Here are few photos of each of us with Gavin by the Christmas tree at Breakfast with Santa.

Gavin was very excited about his candy cane that he got from Santa too.... and it was VERY messy!

Santa was leaving at this point - and Gavin couldn't take his eyes OFF of him... very intently watching where Santa was going....

Breakfast with Santa

Gavin has really been interested in "who" Santa is this year. I mean - he is only 2 and his favorite part of talking about Santa is saying - HO, HO, HO and "I've been a good boy." We had high hopes this year for our actual visit with Santa... and here is how it went.

I could NOT leave his side.... at this point, Gavin was saying, "What am I suppose to do now?"








"Get me off of this guy with the itchy beard..."












"Mom I want you NOW!!!!"

"Hey Santa, can you bring me a Super Why for Christmas? Awesome...." (high five!)

Merry Christmas from the Gillards....

(We will see what next year brings for Gavin and Santa.... to be continued.)

Mariemont Luminaria Event

Each year in Mariemont (where we live) - there is an event called Luminaria.

Everyone in the village puts up luminarias at their homes and then there is a tree lighting, carriage rides & visits with Santa (petting zoo too) at the actual event in the Old Town Square.

We have attended this event each year since we have lived here (5 years now) and it is truly one of our favorites. Although we will be leaving Mariemont after the first of the year (yes, we bought a new house and will be moving close by though) - we have fond memories of our time in this wonderful community.

I actually helped plan this event this year - so Scott/Gavin stopped by for a while and I was able to sneak away for a little bit to share in all the festivities with them. Gavin was very excited to see Santa - but we didn't sit on his lap (that will come this next weekend).

What a wonderful way to kick-off this holiday season.

Happy Holidays -

Taking in the view of the beautiful tree all lit up... it was a cold night -

but one to remember for sure!

The Boys are back in Town

Scott's friends - Mark & Matt (known as Gough) - are here for a visit this weekend to go to the Bengals/Lions football game (MAYBE the Lions will get a win - yeah right?).

Here they are with Gavin.... look at those poses!

So glad you guys were able to come down to Cincy to hang out.

I am "Birthday-ed" Out

"It was a great birthday - but I am tired out...."
Thanks to all of our family & friends for such fun celebrations with Gavin as he turned 2.

One Final Celebration

Another birthday celebration in Michigan with the Gillard family. Gavin just loves all these birthday parties - more presents and MORE cupcakes!

Gavin got a new remote controlled car from Aunt Heather, Uncle Tom, Ty, Jack & Luc.... he loves it and plays with it all the time.

Grandpa hugs are the BEST!

And - they love reading with Grandma.....

Thanks for a fun birthday party!

We are THANKFUL FOR....

...spending time with Grandma in the kitchen as we get ready to eat together.












...our precious nephews (Luc, Ty & Jack).











...playing at Grandma & Grandpa's house with Ty... he is my favorite cousin!












...being an aunt and uncle!
(Stacy & Jack)











...a helpful cousin when you get in a bind.
(Gavin decided to get in the exer-saucer and couldn't get out by himself... so then Ty tried to help him out... it was pretty funny!).









...precious moments.
(Gavin loved Jack's pacifier.. imagine that?!?!?).







We hope that everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving....we sure did!

Helping Grandma

We celebrated Thanksgiving in Michigan this year with the Gillard family.

Gavin was helping Grandma in the kitchen... he loved helping make the yummy bread!

Gymnastics & Truck Party

Happy 2nd birthday to Gavin.... another celebration with his friends.

We had a gymnastics party with several friends - and boy did the kids have a good time. Here is Gavin showing off some of his tricks - too cute!

Thanks to everyone who shared this special day with Gavin.

Ella & Gavin

We babysat Ella a few weeks back - and of course, Gavin and her had a great time together.

They enjoyed playing on the bed... too cute!

Gymnastics

Gavin has been attending gymnastics at the Cinci Sports Club for a few months now. Scott actually took him to this class and got some great photos -

Gavin can do a somersault by himself... pretty exciting.

And - he loves swinging on the rings - all by himself!

Each class ends with bubbles and then stamps.... so fun and Gavin has really enjoyed it!