October

The month of October was a nice and slow month.  As a family, we spent a lot of time at home, being lazy.  Kirk took a week and a half off to just work on the renovations.  I watched.  And I've been reading a lot.  The weather has cooled and football is on.  Its a cozy time of year.

And Halloween was a blast!  Gabriel really enjoyed trick or treating.  Towards the end, the boys got a little tired, but we just pulled them along in the wagon for drive through trick or treating.  It was a night I will always remember.

Have I mentioned?

I am now a mother to a ONE year old?  Holy smokes!  I received an email from Baby Center telling me he's no longer a baby and is now a toddler.  Yup, that brought on some tears.  And I've been trying to find time to post about his birthday celebration all week, but we are seriously swamped with Kirk working in Orlando, seeing homes, Dr. appointments, and pretty much life, so the time has escaped me.  But I will accomplish that one small task this weekend.  In the meantime, here are a couple of shots of us celebrating.  More to follow shortly.

Splish Splash

Gabriel had a 9 am play date at the library Tuesday morning.  Coincidentally, I had a doctor appointment at 9:45 the same morning, which meant I got to sleep in and go to work late.  Gabriel left around 8:45, and it was then that I realized...I could shower and get ready without a 10 month old!  This is HUGE because even though Kirk is there every morning, Gabriel loves to "help" Mom get ready.  He'll crawl in the shower, demand what ever toiletry I'm using, play in the toilet, and insist on sitting in the sink while I apply my make-up.  And while this is all good and fun, let me tell you, I savored every minute alone. 

Speaking of showers, how cute are these two?

Gabriel's First Christmas - 2011

Merry Christmas to all!  We couldn't have asked for a better Christmas.  It was wonderful spending time with family and spoiling the new additions.  Christmas Eve was spent at The Snyder's where we enjoyed a feast of roasted duck.  Grandma came over Christmas morning to open gifts with us.  Santa brought Gabriel a hand crafted Radio Flyer wagon (Santa provided the wagon, Dad and Uncle Al built the wooden slats, complete with Gabriel's name and the year).  Then we all headed to Grandma's house for more gift opening, board games, and another feast.  After dinner, we took the boys to look at Christmas lights in a local neighborhood.  The highlight for Gabriel was riding in the wagon.  He would stand up, holding on with one hand and just wave and wave with the other hand.  It was truly a joyous celebration of Jesus' birthday..

Matthew and Gabriel's first Christmas.

The are almost the same weight.  Gabriel is 7 months older.

Christmas morning.

Opening gifts at Grandma's house.



Baby Matthew and Tierney



The Snyders

My back started hurting so I hopped in.  Benjamin said "Caca out."



The boys look drunk.  =p



Happy Birthday Jesus!

Halloween! (a.k.a. - Day to Torture Your Baby)

We went to Auntie Melissa's and Uncle Edmund's house for Halloween.  Again, this is one of those times where the pictures speak for themselves.  We did get in a little trick or treating before the rain started.  Gabriel was dressed as Donkey, Benjamin as Puss N' Boots, and Matthew as Shrek.  Uncle Andrew was a Monster.  And some of the other kiddies in attendance were Batman, a Cars character, and a princess.  Uncle Edmund made us all chili.  Melissa made the desserts.  Gabriel screamed the whole way home. 

Wait for it.

Wait for it...

Wait....

And he's off!

We're cruel.

Where ya goin' Donkey?

After trick or treating, we again tried for a much more casual group shot in the nursery.  You can see how that went too...

Poor Matthew

Gabriel is trying to eat him.