Breakfast Anyone?

This was our breakfast this weekend that Miranda and I shared. It was very tasty. But I think that we have been watching too much Man vs. Food on Food Network lately. This was made of four eggs, four bacon strips, a big breakfast roll from Tom Thumb, and some cream cheese. I don't think that the picture does it justice showing the size...

Using My Chompers

Play Date with Dean

With football season over, we were finally able to have a play date and dinner with the Hopkins family last night. Of course, both boys were so excited about the prospect of getting together to play that neither took good naps earlier in the day. It's like they could sense that we really wanted them to be well-rested . . . despite the lack of naps, both boys were in good spirits and had a great time playing.

Dean is one year old now and will be walking independently any day now. He maneauvered well around our coffee table and ottoman.
And, when furniture wasn't handy to pull up on, he resorted to his old-stand-by, crawling, to get him around. He loved the stairs. Since they were a novelty, he was allowed supervised crawling time on them. I think he went up 2 or 3 times in the course of the night. (Note to self: we'll be needing a gate soon for Gavin. While it was quite easy to forbid Mason from going up the stairs, I think Gavin will be less obedient. Just a hunch.)

The boys were very well behaved while we ate dinner. Actually, Gavin had his dinner as the adults ate. Dean had eaten earlier at his usual dinner time, so he played while we ate. Gavin loved watching Dean moving around the house. I'm sure he was taking notes. Maybe he'll forget a lot of what he saw: I'm not eager for him to crawl. I know he will all in good time; I enjoy being able to put him down to play and know that he'll be in the same spot if I step away.

Gavin got some lovin' from Matt and Lindsey. Dean wasn't jealous; I'm impressed. Gavin is about 19 pounds now, Dean near 23. Those few pounds make a big difference when picking up the two.

After dessert, it was getting really late for boys who hadn't had good naps and who usually call it a night much earlier. So, Lindsey, Matt, and Dean headed out. It took us about 30 minutes to get Gavin down; he was over tired, I think.

We can't wait to get together again.

Gavin is wearing his pj's because it was PJ Day at school, and I didn't get him changed before company arrived. Oh well . . .

The Many Faces of Gavin

Happy and content
Mischevious
Pouty
Bashful

High School Playoffs

Tonight Gavin and I got to go back to Cowboys Stadium for the first round of high school football play-offs. Dave wasn't feeling well and decided to stay at home rather than risk being miserable at the game.

Unlike the Kirk Herbstreit Football Classic, I was able to get a parking pass for this game. Check out this spot!!! I could even see my car from inside the stadium. I'll never get that close again. After I gathered all my gear from the car, Gavin and I headed in. I'm sure the parking lot attendant was laughing on the inside at how long it took me to get Gavin out of his carseat, dig for the camera, take this picture, decide what I needed and didn't need from my purse, etc., etc. before I was finally ready to leave the car.
Once inside, I headed down to the field. I was stopped by security just before stepping onto the field and told Gavin couldn't be on the field with me. After some talking (there wasn't a problem in September), more talking (I'm one of the assistant principals; he's on the side lines with me every Friday night), the school's resource officer came over. Evidently his presence and nod to the security guy was all it took to get me on the field. I'm just glad I made it there.

Gavin hung out with Krista, Ted, and Becky during the first half. During half time, we sat down on the edge of the turf where Gavin played with Ted while I mixed up his rice cereal and garden vegetable dinner.

After dinner, Gavin leaned back, rubbed his tummy and stared at the big screen for a while.

Sadly, the boys lost 55-7. So, another football season ends. It's sad that the football season always has to end with a loss. It's hard to see high school boys cry. It's hard to lose 55-7.

But, hey, what about that parking space?


PS--I know this says posted by Dave. He uploaded the pictures for me, and I'm too lazy to log out and back in.

Just Call Me Snaggletooth

One of Gavin's top teeth is large and in charge these days. Miranda and I both giggle a little bit each time he smiles at us with his goofy toothy grin. Warning - put your fingers into his mouth at your own risk from now on....

Cereal Anyone?

They were having a really good sale, and we had coupons....can you tell?

Not Feeling Too Hot

G had a rough day today. He came home from daycare yesterday with a fever of 101.9. We immediately thought that it was the flu. But he didn't have any other symptoms. He does have a front tooth coming through that has been bothering him. But the fever was higher than "teething fever" temperature. The teething has finally reared it's ugly head, and we have decided that it isn't welcome here.

We kept G at home today since it might be more than just teething. Miranda took the morning shift and I took the afternoon. The Tylenol has seemed to keep the fever in check, but his mood hasn't been exactly his normal happy G mood. At times you can tell his teeth are really hurting...poor little guy.

We took a trip this afternoon to see the fish tanks at Cabela's. But other than that, there was alot of baby holding and playtime in the floor. Hopefully tomorrow will be better.

A Pencil Thin Mustache

Sometimes when Gavin dines, he likes to sport a pencil thin mustache. Or a "penciled in" mustache to some blog readers. :)

Happy Birthday Momma!

So, I am a week late posting this blog entry. Things have been hectic - what can I say. We celebrated Miranda's birthday last week with gifts and dinner out. A couple of our coworkers (Rhonda and Glenda), who just happen to be good friends were nice enough to babysit while we went out to dinner. Thanks again Rhonda and Glenda!

Miranda opened her gifts before dinner with Gavin's help. If this is any indication, G will have an GREAT time at Christmas. Playing with the wrapping paper and boxes was too much fun. Although we will have to keep an eye on the little guy - he was real quick to try to eat the wrapping paper.

Miranda decided that we should try out JR's Steakhouse in Collyville since it got good reviews from coworkers and is only about 1/4 of a mile from where she works. Dinner was excellent as expected. We both decided that they have perhaps the best calamari that we have ever eaten (and we have it often when eating out).

Happy Birthday Miranda aka Momma!

Lil' Rocker

Gavin loves bath time, but he's not the only one who has fun. Mama and Dad have lots of fun watching him splash and playing with his hair. Since his hair is finally growing back, we had a little fun with it.
Now, that's a mohawk!
Of course, Gavin is oblivious that we've done anything to his hair. He is busy attacking his toy turtle.

Fall at the Aboretum

We took some time this afternoon for a trip to the Dallas Arboretum so that we could take some pumpkin pictures. It was a beautiful sunny day--a bit too sunny for pictures. But, we battled the sun, the glare, and the shadows to spend some time outside as a family. It was a great change from a typical Sunday afternoon--which is usually spent running errands and getting ready for the week ahead. We've decided that we'll make at least 1 Sunday afternoon a month designated for family time; hopefully, we can follow through with that.

After a meandering drive to the Aboretum, we finally arrived. Our first order of business was a picnic lunch. Gavin was very interested in the grass. We spent much of the day taking photographs of Gavin looking everywhere but at the camera. Oh well.A little light reading, before heading off for more photographs.
Some huge pumpkins . . . Pat, pat, pat. This chrysanthemum bloom was much more interesting than the camera.

A smile at Mama when she asked, "Where's Gavin?" hiding behind her hands. Silly Mama.

There was much more to explore. A pirate ship was very popular.

This shot at the top of the amphitheatre was nice. There was a three-piece band playing in the ampitheatre; Gavin was very interested in the music. We paused for a picture inside a house made of pumpkins.

After all that pumpkin time, we returned home and Dave quickly put a pork shoulder in the smoker. Mmmm. Dinner tomorrow night will be tasty. (It should have been dinner tonight, but we had family time at the Arboretum . . . )