Gavin's First Halloween

Gavin had a great time going to a couple houses for trick-or-treat night. He didn't really know what was going on except that mommy and daddy made him wear this funny looking costume. He did smile right on cue for all the neighbors and looked adorable in his monkey costume.

Pumpkin Patch

My friend Theresa and I took our boys to a pumpkin patch. The activities were a little too old yet for Gavin, but her son, David, had a great time.

Gavin had fun playing in the corn sandbox. He didn't understand why he couldn't eat the corn.

Theresa helped David pick out a pumpkin

Gavin left his hat on for this picture then tore it off for the rest of the day. This became a fun game (for Gavin) of put the hat on and throw it on the floor.

Here are some new pictures of Gavin. As you can see below, he still enjoys sleeping on his back in his yoga pose. At 10 months old, he weighs 24 lbs and is 31.5 inches long. He is growing up so fast!

Here are a few videos. The first shows how excited Gavin becomes when Ryan arrives home from work. The other shows him repeating words. Something he has started to do often but sometimes he says his own version of the word.

Surprise 40th Wedding Anniversary Party for Don and Judy Ely

Everyone had a great time at the cookout held at our house in honor of Don and Judy. The hosts were Kevin and Sarah (Ryan's brother and sister-in-law) along with Ryan and myself. Don and Judy were surprised and Gavin, Olivia and Evelyn (all the grandchildren) wore shirts that said, "Happy 40th Anniversary Mimi and Papa." We all had a wonderful evening!

Don and Judy Ely

John and Marilyn (Don's sister) Dilley

Nancy (Don's sister) Ely

Lynn (Judy's sister) Peterson and Sarah (Kevin's wife) Ely

Marilyn (great friend of the family) Hickey with Gavin

Don with Olivia (Kevin and Sarah's daughter)

Judy with Olivia and Gavin

Peter Ely

Olivia and Gavin

Ryan with Sarah and Evelyn

Precious Evelyn Victoria Ely

Kevin and Judy

Lynn and Gavin

Mike Hickey, Marilyn and John Dilley, Don and Judy with Olivia

By the end of the night, Evelyn had enough.

Family Vacation

We had a great trip to Illinois to see Kevin, Sarah, Olivia and meet Evelyn for the first time. Gavin went on an 8 hour car trip for the first time. He can now say he has been in 3 states, Ohio, Indiana and Illinois. He enjoyed riding in the car and loved seeing his cousins.

Ryan and Gavin before the trip.

Gavin enjoyed playing with his 2 1/2 year old cousin, Olivia, but was getting tired off all the pictures.

Olivia playing in the pool in the backyard.


Gavin's first time in a baby pool. He entertained himself by splashing in the water and eating the toy balls.


We took everyone to a sprinkler park where Olivia had tons of fun.

Precious Evelyn joined us. She is now a healthy 8 lbs at 3 months.


Sarah and Kevin with Olivia.

We thought Gavin would have fun at the sprinkler park but he decided to sleep the entire time. He finally opened his eyes as we were pulling out of the parking lot.

We also went to the outlet mall.

Gavin had his first big boy bath with daddy.

What a happy little guy! He is also showing off his new bottom two teeth.

We finally got a great family picture.

We were trying to get Gavin to smile in this picture but as you can see he had other plans.

At the time these pictures were taken Gavin was 6 months and 21 lbs. They show how big has has become over the past few months and his early love for yoga poses.

Memorial Weekend

Josh and Danila came in for Memorial weekend and we all enjoyed a great cookout at Jon and Julie's house. Hannah and Gavin had fun playing together.

Rachel and Gavin





Uncle Josh and Hannah





Gavin having fun with Ryan






Ryan trying to handle both Gavin and Hannah at the same time

Aunt Julie with Gavin and Hannah (learning to use the cell phone at an early age)

Gavin having a good time
with Papa Ely.

WOOLLEY DUDE
My mom and I found this shirt when I was pregnant and thought it was fitting for our family with a Woolly Mammoth and the words "Wooly Dude" on the front of it. At the time we weren't sure if Gavin would be able to wear it because it was for a 9 month old. He just turned 5 months old, weighing in at a hefty 19 pounds and wearing 9-12 month clothing. I think we did alright with this shirt!

The Columbus Zoo

A few weeks ago, my sister-in-law, Julie Woolley, our friend, Sheri Lichtensteiger and I took the kids to the zoo. We had a great time and as you can see from the pictures, so did Hannah, Jacob and Gavin. Gavin was determined to hold his own bottle and he did for about 3 seconds when I took the picture. Our little guy is growing up and already trying to become independent.

Playground Trips

When Uncle Josh and Aunt Danila came for a quick visit, Hannah invited Gavin to swing at the playground. They had so much fun. Check out the pictures and video.