11 months & 2.5 years ~ change is in the air

off to preschool big brother

This week we sent our oldest out into the world to learn and grow.  It touched our hearts to watch him put on his little backpack and wander on off with a line of littles.  Such a big boy he is!  He seems to be adjusting well to the big world out there, we hope you love him as much as we do :)

As we entered September there were many mixed emotions in our family.  We moved yet again, I went back to work from a summer of fun with my men, Chad schedule changed, Gavin started preschool, and Brycen is about to be one in just a few days.  Gosh where has the time gone.  Gavin and Brycen have transitioned into full-blown brother mode.  They have these unbelievable moments where they get each other so worked up with the giggles...and it just melts your heart.  Other times they scream and pull and fight to the point that we need to separate them LOL.  Brycen is almost as big as Gavin so I must say he can hold his own....watch out Gavin!

up to no good

The month of August was fast and furious.  We kept busy with beach time and various play dates.  Brycen is now a full blown walker and can keep up with the other kids on the sand and in the field.  He is fast and fearless.  My life just became crazier.  This boy loves to climb everything he can get his hands on, and he will eat just about anything in the same loopy manner as big brother (shoveling).  Not sure where they learned all that?  

beach with clara

aaron and brycen wading 

new friends at the playground

more new friends
(brycen is practicing for cross fit kids)

gavin and clara riding the swings like horses

This month we were also blessed with some wonderful visitors....our cousins from New York!  What an amazingly inspiring family they are.  The boys were so thrilled to spend the week with them.  They enjoyed pond activities such as kayaking, flying kites, singing, and received some very special gifts.  We hope you Vogel's visit again soon!!!!  We miss you :)

getting ready for a kayak ride

cousin david and gavin

learning about kites

In closing to yet another month of growth and change I will share a few of my select favs from the month.  As many of you know I take too many photos and I could never share all the ones I love...just snapshots.  I hope one day my boys will look back and reflect on these words and images.  

me and mini me

taking a family hike

enjoying the last few moments of summer

basketball time with daddy

brycen john daredevil 

sneaky little guy

me and the boys :)

10 months & 2.4 years - cousins are the best

my little men

Our summer continues to be filled with lots of activity.  I find if we are not out of the house by 8:30-9 then I have missed the window of opportunity and things get crazy at the house.  Gavin and Brycen are starting to act more and more like siblings.  They are often found doing something mischievous together.  They like to wrestle and Brycen cannot get enough of his big brother.  You can hear that large belly laugh a mile away.  So cute!  Today they were outside playing in the pool and Gavin was squirting him with the hose.  One would think he would be upset but oh no he was laughing up a storm so hard he fell into the pool and continued to laugh LOL!  I adore them :)

This month we have visited numerous playgrounds and outdoor play spaces  (i.e. the gardens, beach, tennis courts, and baseball fields).  Most of our time is spent with Pat Pat and his mommy Auntie Elissa, in addition to Meghan and Clara.  Though we are typically in larger groups Gavin always seems to find a group or individual older lady to play with.  He keeps me on my toes :)

Sprinkler park with Clara :)

Brycen John at the sprinkler park

Super fun water tunnel

Gavin running around Brycen at the playground

First time exploring a baseball field

Brycen lounging 

Boogie boarding with Clara 

Attempting to pump legs on the swing ;)

Brycen at the gardens

We also had some great opportunities to share in special events with friends new and old.  Auntie Elissa and Uncle Tim had a super fun BBQ we enjoyed a few weeks ago.  The boys enjoyed their new playground and eating at the picnic table.  I was able to take some fun photos of my naked babe.

Lunch with friends

Brothers swinging 

We also had a really fun playdate with Dylan and Lucy at their house.  It was a nice hot day and they enjoyed the water table and pool.  Gavin and Dylan did attempt to play wheelbarrow LOL

Scaling the chair

Wheelbarrow

We also had some special visitors this past week.  Our cousins Amanda and Devon.  Gavin so enjoyed playing with his older cousin.  We sure did keep them busy with sprinkler parks, birthday parties, beaches, shopping, and a big BBQ at Aunt Chris and Uncle John's.  It was so nice to have them share some fun with us!

Cousins playing

Gavin and Devon

I think he is catching a fish?

One of my favorite Brycen faces

Fun by the pond

His expressions crack me up!

What a busy summer we are having!  We are looking forward to more visitors in the middle of the month and of course more beach time fun.  We only have a few weeks left before I go back to work and Gavin starts school.  And gosh Brycen will be turning one in Spetember!  Where has the time gone.  

P.S. two favorite gavin alan facts

1. I love that when he wants to be picked up he says "I hold you" with his arms raised (melts me everytime).  Then when holding he sighs :)

2. At the car dealership the other day Gavin was melting down cause he wanted a balloon.  It was a bit of a scene LOL.  Out of nowhere I said you can't have them they are John's balloons....he said "Ok mama".  Since this moment everything he can't "have" is John's hehe LOVE HIM

P.S.S. and brycen john of course

1. this boy is cruising and transitioning like crazy...occasionally stands unassisted for play (the time is coming).

2.  he has this infectious growl that just makes you want to laugh....he is sneaky too...can climb up those stairs in ten seconds flat and waits for you up at the top giggling away ;)

9 Months & 2.3 Years ~ finding my brother

Beach Time!

Summer is in full swing!  I am so happy to be out of work so I can play with these two adorable men.  I just can't get enough of them.  We have been spending our days at the beach, playgrounds, and indoor play areas (in heavy rain).  Reconnecting with our summer friends has also been so nice.  Why can't it just be summer all the time :)

As Brycen John sprouts into a full fledged infant, Gavin has started to interact with him more.  They can get each other in the silliest giggle fits and have been known to wrestle on occasion.  I love that I can get more and more photos of them.  Here are a few of my favorite moments...

silly boys!

love that they both can swing :)

brothers being brothers

practicing for their future boy band

playing at an outdoor garden

playing at the beach - brycen ate too much sand lol

It is so fun that they can play together!  I can even bathe them together without worrying about one going down in the tub; however, Gavin is not a fan of sharing his tubby.  He will stretch his whole body out and try to swing in the tub now.  He loves the idea of swimming and is getting more and more comfortable in water.  He now has his ver own special pool from his grandma that he loves to frequent. I think he is going to be a water baby.  

Everyday Gavin Alan is making more connections to the world around him.  He is forming complete sentences and has just began to understand the concept of warnings for leaving places....which is so super helpful!  Not that every time is easy but it is much better with the communication barrier bridged. He loves being outside, getting dirty, and eating.  He is still in love with circular objects and is currently found carrying a small plastic soccer ball from a boy named Jack at the beach.  He sleeps with it, travels with it, and bathes with it.  I love him.

Gavin and Patrick taking a swing break

Gavin and Patrick saving the day

water balloons = perfection

taking an art break with patrick

water table time with little bro

Brycen John is such a big boy.  At his 9 month appointment he weighed in at 23.7 and 30 inches long.  He is catching up to his brother by the moment.  He has recently began the art of cruising around furniture in the house.  One day he was up and the next he was on the move.  I wonder if he will be walking be his first birthday?  Gavin was an early walker so we will see.  Brycen's hair continues to grow into soft fluffy curls.  I adore them and plan to wait until at least a year to cut them off, as I fear they will not grow back :/  He makes my life complete.  Three men and me.  

getting ready for a photo shoot

sharing an ice pop with big bro

playground time

snacking at the flag day 5K with Addie

playing in the rain with cousin carrie

What a whirlwind this all is!  It's already July 9th.  We celebrated grandma's birthday last week, traveled to NY for a party, and have visitors arriving very soon for three weeks in a row.  Gosh time will fly by and I am sure I will be sitting here next months wondering where time has gone.  Looking forward to sharing some family photos as well.   Here is a sneak peak...and don't forget to check out Heidi's page at www.heidivail.com