Duck Park

Last Saturday was so nice and warm and Chad wasn't working (until the night that is) so we decided to take Gavin to the duck park. It isn't a special park or anything but a friend of mine told me that there is a swampy area that has a little bridge and tons of ducks as well as a playground. So, we took some bread and went to check it out. My word...were there ever ducks! There had to have been 50 plus ducks and they definitely knew why we were there. Gavin was fascinated watching them all but as hard as I tried to get him to feed the ducks...he just ate the bread himself! His next favorite part was when Daddy and him chased the ducks yelling "quack, quack"...well, Chad yelled and Gavin laughed.

The ducks immediately began to approach.
I tried to force him to throw a piece of bread...
...but the next piece went straight in his mouth.

He was pointing with the typical "eee" sound toward the ducks.
Hand in hand.

We tried getting him to quack but again, only got, "eee, eee."
Apparently, I was holding the bread in the pefect spot for him to just lean over and steal a bite whenever he wished.

Playoff Baseball

So for a very short time, Chicago was very excited about playoff baseball. Both the Sox and the Cubs were in the playoffs and the whole city was talking about it. Unfortunately, it was talked about briefly...very briefly. However, we were able to go to one of the Sox playoff games with Gavin and we had a GREAT time even though it ended in a loss...and the official end of the Sox season. So, now, we'll be looking forward to next year.

Gavin and his Daddy were ready to cheer on the White Sox.

Kyle, Gavin & Chad.

Gavin wanted to walk around and check it all out.
Our White Sox family.
Even the rally hats couldn't get it going for the Sox.
Mommy & Gavin.

Big Boy Car Seat

When Gavin turned one...it was finally time to turn around...in the car seat that is! The first few times he rode face forward, he was hysterical just moving around and talking like crazy. He obviously loved it...I mean there is so much more to see this way! He especially loves when Mommy and Daddy are BOTH in the car to turn around and keep him entertained. And I thought I was going to get in an accident before this...now I'm seriously in trouble b/c I keep turning around like its playtime or something. Here are some pics of him in his Daddy's big truck...which he loves the most. He loves the bouncing and rumble of Daddy's truck...Mommy just thinks maybe it needs a tune up!

Our First Video!

Ok, so this video isn't even THAT exciting...over spaghetti the other night, Gavin was just hamming it up being goofy and Chad had the video camera out. Gavin was giggling and doing 'SO BIG' while playing with his sippy like a goofball. Anyway, Chad messed around with it a long time to format it so it could be uploaded on here and guess what!?!? It worked!!! This was just a "test" originally but why not leave it up here! Hopefully you'll be seeing more videos to come soon!

Hope Homecoming

So this past Friday night my girlfriends from Hope College and I all met up to go to Homecoming at Hope. It took a lot of pre-planning but finally we got 9 of us together for the night. Some of us hadn't seen each other in quite a long time so it was a MUCH needed reunion. We started with dinner at the Curragh..followed by an old-school trip to Sammy's...a stop at the Delphi Cottage...drinks at the Brewery and we ended the night at the good old Dirty Bird (Parrot's). The whole night was hysterical and nostalgic and crazy and fun. I loved hanging out with my girls again and it felt just like no time had passed. Just instead of talking about biology tests and Frater parties, we were talking about management positions, working moms and playdates. It was a perfect night to reconnect. I miss you all so much and am so glad we could do this! Can't wait until the next night out...

Starting out the night at dinner.

Drinks & Dinner at the Curragh.Jamie & I.
All of us crammed in Lesley's minivan...also called a spaceship.
Outside our famous old convenience store- Sammy's.
Dirty Dirty Bird. College Roomies!
Delphi Homecoming Brunch...the few and faithful that made it.

Hug It Out

A new development has occurred...Gavin has learned to HUG! Ha! I love it. Seriously, we know he barely wants to do anything in the way of "taught activities" such as give kisses, wave, etc. So, Chad taught him to hug his Elmo doll the other day and next thing you know...hugs all around. It is so darn cute. This being from a child who rarely wants to be in your arms, let alone cuddle at all, the rare moments of hugging just light up my day. Hopefully you'll all get a chance soon to have his little hugging arms around you too...so if you need a hug, give us a call...it'll definitely put a smile on your face.

7 Years Ago....

Yesterday marked Chad & I's 7 year anniversary. We were actually able to go out for a nice dinner together and hang out just the two of us...thanks to my brother and sister-in-law who watched Gavin for us. It was a very relaxing evening and it was nice to do something just us for a change. It's crazy to think we have been married 7 years already...it goes by quickly but I also feel like I have been married forever. These 7 years have been very good to us and although we have had our share of rough times, we know we are truly blessed in so many ways. We've changed so much since we were 23, young and freshly married...but we have grown to love and appreciate each other more and more every year. I have been so lucky to have a husband who is my best friend and partner in everything...and now an amazing father who loves his son with so much of his being. He continues to make me smile as I see him with Gavin. So Happy Anniversary to Chad and I...here's to the lucky 7 many times over.