To My Daddy-
Thank you for always playing with me - whether we are wrestling (which is my favorite), to running from each other to sledding (video above) - you always make time for me and I always love being with you. I love you so very much and want you to know - I can't wait to see you soon! We missed you this weekend!
Love, Gavin (and Mommy too)
Yes - this was a very exciting weekend for many reasons. Gavin is really loving the pool these days - and boy have we been enjoying it with this hot weather. But - when we took a break from the pool - and had a free Saturday night (just the 2 of us) - what better thing to do than go to our first "movie date." I had talked to several friends about Gavin being old enough to sit through a movie at the theater - but he has become quite obsessed with Toy Story - and I knew he would probably like the newest one, Toy Story 3. And boy did he - I was excited all afternoon and couldn't stop talking to him about going to see Toy Story and watching it on a big screen - eating popcorn and M&M's - and to remember that we would need to whisper (inside voice) while watching the movie. So we left a little early, and here were some photos I took (you would have thought he was going to prom as I was sooo excited). And we of course had to wear our Woody t-shirt - Boy Next Door! Just darling!
We arrived at the movie theater, got our snacks and there were lots of people there too. Gavin was just checking everything out and he had to be sure to carry his own snack, M&M's. We got into the theater - and of course as a mom - I brought a small bowl to put his snacks in and also brought his own drink. We got all settled and the "commercials/trivia" was running. Gavin sat there in awe... we kept talking and I forgot to think that the theater chairs flip up when you are not sitting on them properly. And since Gavin doesn't weigh alot - snacks in hand - he sat back in the chair and it folded up. I immediately started laughing - and Gavin said to me, "Mommy, the chair broke!" Luckily the movie hadn't started yet. So then we sat him back and it was much better. But once the movie started - he wanted to sit on my lap (which he did throughout the whole movie). I think he could see better and he LOVED IT! He was so good - he only shouted out 3 times - "There's Woody Mommy" or "Buzz Light Year" - which I of course thought was just too darn cute. When the movie was over and we were getting ready to leave - he said to me, "Can we do this again?" It's moments like this that I wish could last forever...
Gavin received this John Deere Tractor and wagon for Christmas this past year from Uncle Ryan... however, he hasn't really been into it - rather it freaked him out. UNTIL... Ty comes to visit, drives/rides it - and then guess what - Gavin is officially driving his very own tractor! So now we drive the tractor down to get the mail too... it is pretty fun!
The Cuff's came for a visit over Father's Day weekend to Cincinnati.
Gavin loves music... and here he is playing his drum!
What a cool photo - love it! 
We were in IL at my parents over Easter this year - and on Saturday afternoon we enjoyed a beautiful day outside with family. Before everyone came for dinner that evening, we got out Gavin's Toy Story kite and started out with Daddy/Gavin flying the kite - to Grandpa - to Grandpa/Gavin - and then - yes, that is Gavin flying a kite by himself. Let's just say it was pretty windy that day.
Gavin got his first "true" egg coloring experience this past year at Grandma's house. He was really excited to drop in the eggs and get them out of each color. Then Amy shared that you could put 1 egg in each color - so then we had to be sure to do just that! This was lots of fun!
My aunt & uncle, Judy & David hosted a Easter Luncheon at their house - which was so very nice. And to top it off - they had a special Easter Egg Hunt, just for Gavin. He is the only child on my side of the family - so needless to say, we all enjoy watching him get excited about the littlest things, like finding a variety of small gifts in the yard. From a variety of candy - to balls - to a precious Elmo hat and finally bubbles - this was a such a fun afternoon! Thank you for making this Easter so special!
Thanks to the Hansbauer's for hosting a great spring party at their house in April. Their good friends from Chicago - Holly & Jesse - moved here with their 2 kids Owen & Caroline recently. So - Gavin has a new buddy, Owen and they had fun playing in the dirt like little boys do. And - they just bought a new house very close to us in Anderson too - YEAH!
One night we were sitting at the table in our kitchen getting ready to eat dinner - and I looked out to find 2 deer hanging out in a backyard - that came REALLY clost to our patio. At first they stayed down by the playset, but then moved up much closer. So of course, Scott had to grab a quick photo... and needless to say, we have encountered MANY additional animals in the short 6 months we have lived here. I will let Scott share our "snake" story that came out to play on our patio - from the envasion of bees - and lastly, racoons that enjoy our garbage in the evening hours. I'm not quite sure how I feel about living "with the wildlife" - but I guess it will be something I'm going to have to get used too.
My friend, Kathryn and her boyfriend, Joe came in for a visit to Cinci to meet Ella's (pictured here) new baby sister, Paige and to hang out with our family and the Nawroth's. Here are Gavin and Ella playing at his train table during that weekend. Too cute - sometimes I think they look like they could be related!
Fun times at the new park close to our house. It has lots to do - and we hear there is a splash pad to check out this summer. We will need to check this out. (These were taken in March 2010).
We enjoyed heading over to our old stomping grounds in Mariemont for their annual Easter Egg Hunt. Gavin really got into actually getting eggs this year - and when there are so many kids - you have to be quick! In the end, he was just happy to get a red lollipop... which have now become one of our favorites.
