Halloween Party I

The weekend before Halloween our friends Matt & Kristen Darling hosted a Halloween party. We were in a major babysitter crunch for Saturday night but Lisa Thomson's parents VERY graciously offered to watch Gavin when they were watching Lauris that night. So...off we went to an adult only Halloween party. It is always funny to see people you know (and those you don't) dressed up in crazy costumes and this night was no exception. I hardly took any pictures and only snapped a few when others did...wish I had more of the crowd in them!).

Before we left the Thomson's...Zak & Lisa (aka Little Red Riding Hood and the Big Bad Wolf) and Chad and I (aka pregnant 50's housewife and the milkman.)
Chad & I

Dave & Amanda....Yo Gabba Gabba and a cat.

Three guys in disguise.

Three ladies.

The guys with a pink lady.

Our gracious host...Mr Darling himself.

Choo-Choo Substitute

Friday we were supposed to go to Konow's pumpkin farm for lots of outdoor fun however, our plans had to be scratched when we woke up to rainy skies. Instead we decided to go to Choo-Choo Johnny's and let the kids play and have fun while we were still able to catch up together.

Gavin & Elena making the trains go.
Not even riding...just sitting and still having the time of their lives.

VERY patiently waiting the arrival of our food.

Coming around the track (by far, Gavin's favorite part of the experience--even when it was other people's food).

Keeping his eye on that train for it to come out again.

Finally enjoying a real ride with Cooper.

Babymoon Part 2

In an effort to spend a little time together before baby #2 arrives, Chad and I spent a weekend "away" downtown Chicago. It was a way for us to spend some time together and without Gavin before our lives get totally crazy again...and as a bonus, a way to celebrate our 8 years of marriage at the end of September. We had a great time relaxing, eating (long enjoyable dinners that don't involve chicken fingers, macaroni & cheese or sippy cups) and taking in the sights of the city. It was a much needed re-connect weekend and it felt great to have that time together. Meanwhile--thanks to my Mom & Dad who had Gavin all weekend and treated him to lots and lots of fun play time.

Rainy skies were pushed out by the sun Saturday morning.
River view. The infamous bean...apparently everyone HAS to take this picture??

Me with my 8 month bean.

Most crowded place we were all weekend.

Just yay to us.

City view from Sears tower Skydeck.

Nope, not liking this at all...in fact, my fingers are sweating as I type..seriously.

All glass cut-out on floor 103--top, sides, bottom...terrifying.

Crazy.

Gym Class

Back in May, I originally posted that I'd started taking Gavin to Gym Kinetics and said I'd post pictures....well, that day has finally come. We've been going now every week for 6 months which is a long time but each week Gavin continues to love it. He has definitely developed some new skills and we're still working on others but he LOVES LOVES the class....and the kids...and the running...and Miss Patty...it is just a great class for him.

I finally took the camera and took some shots of him which was difficult to do and most of them are "in action" so didn't turn out so great. Next week is our very last class for who knows how long. We aren't signing up for the next session for obvious reasons and after that, it isn't just me and my buddy anymore so its kinda hard to do a mommy & me style class...we'll have to see.

Log Rolling.

Slide.
Monkey climbing.

More monkey climbing.

Parachute play.

In position for vault jump.

Big jump! (a favorite)

Backward roll postion - step 1.

Check me out mom!

And over he goes!

Balance Beam walking.

The pit--without Gavin--showing what kids are supposed to do.

Sliding down Miss Patty's legs into the pit!

Crashing and rolling around like a crazy kid.

Jumping (a task still to be mastered.)

Super favorite activity--rings.

Swinging high.

Ladder walking.

Pumpkin Carving

I was very excited this year to carve pumpkins with Gavin....knowing he would love the mess and the fun and it seemed like it would be such a fun activity. Well, here is what I wasn't prepared for:

1 - Gavin doesn't like the goop in the pumpkins. It's apparently NOT fun for him to touch.

2 - Gavin wants all the sharp tools that Mommy & Daddy are holding.

3 - When Gavin doesn't get said tools, he'll spend most of this "family time" either whining or crying.

4 - Starting this process an hour before his bed time is not sufficient time to gut and carve our 3 pumpkins.

All in all..we still had lots of jack-o-latern fun.....

Getting started.

Doing good so far.

Watching Dad take out goop.

He looks like he's all for it...but his little arm can't reach a thing in that pumpkin.

What the heck am I reaching for?!?!?

"Not a chance am I grabbing all that!"

Helping Daddy carve.

Gavin's finished product.

Trying to blow out the candle.

Happy Halloween.

Our finished product.

Yep, I made Chad do this.

Nope, he definitely did NOT make me do this.

Which is bigger..my pumpkin or belly...choose wisely.