BOOYA!!!!

We are almost to the end of this week and I must tell you my little Gavin has been a CHAMPION with Potty-training. I wasn't sure if I wanted to venture this route so early but Gavin was showing interest and I decided to make the leap and try. So Monday night for Family Night we made a big deal about him getting to pick his "Big Boy undies" and lots of treats and drinks that were just for him. (Thank you Cortney for all your tips and advice, it totally worked).

He loved feeling like he was the most special boy on the planet. We wore him out and he fell fast asleep clutching his new purchase.

And So the Journey began...

This is how we spent most of our recent days, running "Super Fast" to the potty!

This is my happy Gavin after a Successful trip to the potty and getting his umpteenth treat of the morning!!!!

Buddy we are so proud of you and hope that the days to come continue to go as well as this week has gone. Potty training is definitely wearing on a mom, constantly asking and taking him to the bathroom. Dropping everything in a moments notice to make sure he actually tinkled in the potty.

Where's my string?

A few Sunday's back we were on our way down the stairs to get into the car for church when Gavin said to Garrett " Daddy you got your string"? "Where is my string like yours and Tyler's"?

So as I am racing down the stairs I see Garrett and Gavin making their way back up and into our closet. They then proceeded to tie one of Garrett's ties on my sweet boy. He stood so patiently for his "string" to be fitted " just so"!

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Gavin was so excited to be like his daddy and have a string of his own. He wore it proudly throughout church and afterwards as well. For those of you who don't know Gavin, he refuses to wear pants right now and every Sunday its a battle to get him to wear Church attire. So he asks his daddy what he is going to be wearing and as Garrett explains to him that he will be wearing pants, a shirt/ sweater Gavin is quick to then agree to wear pants (because his daddy is). From a mother's stand point it is such a neat thing to experience the bond between father and son. Something as simple as having a tie on like his Dad is a tender moment to witness.

Like Father, Like Son.

Playing catch-up!!

Since I haven't been the best this past month with anything (especially blogging) I am going to play catch-up and throw a bunch of pics. together with a synopsis of what we have been up to this last month or so. I wish I could say it was filled with vacations or exciting adventures but it mostly consisted of the everyday with wonderfully simple highlights nestled throughout.

In the month of October Kenedy continued to help mom, becoming "mom Jr" which she excelled at reading time, singing time, tummy time supervisor, and just wonderful sister time.

Samantha has come alive and is all smiles and silent giggles!!

Kenedy and Gavin picked pumpkins from Grandpa Jeff's Pumpkin Patch and couldn't wait to carve them. Kenedy designed her own all by herself and had a strong vision of what her little one was to look like. She did a Fantastic job from start to finish. Gavin played a huge role in designing his and later became distracted by the Halloween Charlie Brown show and left Dad to finish up the minor details.

Dad getting Kenedy started on her masterpiece.

Gavin getting his hands nice and slimy. Not sure what to make of the "GUTS" but was dutiful on finishing what he started.

Sam spent "OODLES" of time lounging with her friend Sophia. They are hilarious together and they can't get enough of each other (Or, truth be told the moms can't get enough of hang out time with each other). And yes, Sophia smiles like that continuously.

I got everyday reminders of what a blessing my kiddos are in my life.

Gavin had a birthday and turned 2. Leave it to Aunt Natalie to get him exactly what he wanted... a metal bat. We had to tell Gavin right away that this bat was to be "The outside bat". He is quite a slugger and we knew we would see the evidence of his talent in our walls. So each day Gavin says "mom lets go outside and get my Outside bat and play hit".

Also for Gavin's birthday we stole Grandma away for the afternoon to see "Cloudy with a chance of meatballs" in 3D. My mother-in-law introduced the book to my kiddos a long time ago and they loved it. So when it was produced into a movie we were Super Excited to see it. I was amazed that all the kids kept their glasses on the whole time.
Thank you mom for all your help !

We visited Gardner Village where Kenedy found the costume of her dreams.

These pics. are random and totally out of order but just a little tid-bit of what this past month has been life for us. It has been so much fun to just enjoy the day, not knowing if we will actually make it out of the house or get a shower. We find ourselves enjoying the simpler things.

One Spoiled Girl

Every morning when I get my "Little/Big" man out of bed and we pass my bedroom he says "Baby Sam Sweep"? As we then continue on our way downstairs where Samantha is usually already awake and fed he immediately says "Baby Sam WAAAAAKE". "I see Baby Sam"? He then rushes over to her where I cringe that he is going to step right on top of her, he gently gets down on his hands and knees and lays right next to her. I must say it is the sweetest thing I have ever seen.
For those of you who know Gavin he doesn't really know how to play soft or talk quietly. He is often clumsy and destructive. But when it comes to his little sister he has from day one been so tender and sweet. He loves to sing her "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" and tell her all the features of her face (as he is lovingly poking her in the eye). There is something about Boys and the way they love and protect their "Girls"!!!!!

As I said a moment earlier the Boys love their girls and Sam loves her daddy. When he comes home from work and she hears his voice she tries to talk to him. He can pick her up and in seconds have her cooing and smiling. That is rare and it takes me a LONG TIME to get that same reaction. Little Sam and Garrett have a Special bond and it is such a great blessing to have her in our life.

Samantha Jane

Thank you Cortney for letting Samantha be your guinea pig for practicing with your new camera. I truly benefited from this little photo session and it was an adventure all along the way.

As we started getting things together and Sam positioned we didn't realize how hard it is to mold a child "NATURAL LOOKING" into all kind of positions without them screaming and stiffening up. The first 30-45 min. was chaotic and we questioned if this was going to work out at all.
Needles to say when we got Sam to sleep she was much more delightful to work with (hehehe)! We were just a little more limited on the positions we could use.
Props to all those out there who make taking pics. look easy and flawless its hard work and Cortney you are incredible, so Thank You again!!!!!

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Sisters Forever!!!

First...

We have kind of been caught up in a tornado of craziness this past month and want to let you know we are alive and well (sleep-deprived and not showered but happy).

Samantha being the third child has just had been such a joy and blessing to our family and she has been a good sport to go with the flow, because we find ourselves not wanting to sit home or slow down sometimes.

She is definitely her own little personality. she has a cry that is always turned to volume 10! there is no variation or cues that it may be anything in particular its just sheer volume. With that being said she doesn't cry often just when she wants to be heard.
She loves, loves, to be held and we have lots of days of snuggling! The moment I put her down (she is asleep) she immediately opens her eyes wide and starts to stir.

She loves to hear her brother and sisters voices and she will lie still while they hover above her face and speak with her. She is lucky to have Kenedy and Gavin they take such wonderful care of her.

So just a little more about our sweet Samantha Jane, she eats like a champ, and sleeps just as well. She loves the bathroom fan and classical music on while she sleeps and she does not like her arms wrapped in her blanket. She loves to spend time on her tummy and constantly goes cross-eyed. She has long fingers and even longer/bigger feet, I hope the feet thing will slow down and she will grow into them.

I can't believe a month has already swept by and this is just a few of her Firsts....

First girl time with her big sister

First Family night filled with hammock swinging, Book of Mormon stories, Popsicles and wonderful weather.

First sleepover with Brittlyn (who is 3 days older).

First story time.

First Bees Game with friends.

First case of Thrush, with the probability of a few more instances.

The purple dye was put in her mouth as a one time medicine and it wears off in about three days. On the way home from the pediatricians office she kept rubbing her hands on her mouth so the dye spread to her lips and cheeks. Needless to say she looked a little wild for a few days. We love the dye it does the trick so much faster than oral medicine numerous times a day.

First Real Game with the Harris family.

Kenedy's first day of school.
Samantha along for the ride.

First hike up Clarks.

First day at the pool which she slept through, even in 100 degree weather.
We love you Sam and look forward to "OODLES" of more firsts!!!

This is what a SUCCESSFUL day looks like...

3:00 pm (A little late, but definetly better than NEVER).

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Sam's headband also doubles as a Beauty rest mask as well, who knew?