Gavin turns 5

Gavin turned 5 years old on Saturday. I can't believe he is 5 years old. He has been counting down the days until his birthday since about a month ago. He was so excited the night before his birthday, he could hardly sleep. He woke up early the next morning and crawled into bed with me. Luckily Lucas was able to leave work early and get home by 6am. Gavin opened presents then and was so pleased with his gifts, especially his GI-Joe Bike, remote control tarantula and his Raiders football t-shirt (he has become a huge Raiders fan in the past month, despite all the coaxing Lucas has done to convince him to be a Chicago Bears fan.) We had doughnuts and chocolate milk for breakfast. For lunch Gavin decided he wanted to have McDonalds. We had a Spider Birthday party that evening with about 30 guests. Yeah, it was a full house. Gavin was so happy the whole day and got so many wonderful gifts from all his family and friends. He literally squeeled and jumped up and down when he opened Grandma & Grandpa Abbotts gift, which was a Raiders Football helmet and uniform. I have never seen him so excited. It was an exhausting day for Lucas & I but Gavin had such a terrific day. He thanked me at the end of the day for his cake and party. That made it all worth it :)
Did I mention that Gavin is obsessed with Spiders. He would love a real Tarantula, but as I am terrified of Spiders, he'll have to settle for a toy one.
His new bike.
Getting ready to blow out his candles.
Gavin & Ryan enjoying cake & icecream.
Cousins & Friends.
Reaction to opening his Raiders Football Helmet & Uniform. Getting into character.

Fun at the Lake

This past Saturday Lucas' brother Jason and his wife Susana invited us to go out on their boat with their family to Lake Mead. It was a beautiful day, a little windy but perfect all the same. That was the first time we've ever been on a boat together as a family. We had a terrific time, the kids loved it and it was the perfect way to spend a Saturday afternoon.


Cousins; Cade, Tyrone, Josh, Luke & Gavin.

Gavin & Tyrone were so happy to be at the Lake.

Right before we jumped in to swim.

Tyrone would not get in the water, but he enjoyed a Capri Sun.

Niamh was not too happy with the lifevest, but she got used to it after a while.


Lucas, on the surf board, he was on there forever. Lookin good!

Gavin & Lucas on the innertube, Gavin had such fun doing this. He couldn't stop smiling.

Niamh at 10 months

My baby girl is walking! Niamh took her first steps on August 22 while we were at my mam's house in Alamo. Since then she has been just standing up and walking. She still prefers to crawl most of the time, but is getting better and better at walking. She gets so excited when she walks and we all cheer and clap for her. She usually stops and claps also.


(As a side note) Niamh was sick when we took this video, so she is a little miserable and grumpy.

Gavins 1st day of Kindergarten

Gavin started Kindergarten on August 24th. He was so excited to ride the bus and to finally be able to wear his new backpack. We followed the bus to school and saw him meet the other kids in his class and walk into school together. Lucas and I were a little sad, even though he has been going to school since he was 3. Our first child embarking on the beginning of his school career is a big milestone. Tyrone missed him terribly, even though Gavin only has 1/2 day Kindergarten. He kept asking when Gavin was coming back and he didn't know what to do with himself until Gavin came home. So far Gavin is loving school and his teacher. He has made new friends and talks all about them a lot. He got to be the "door holder" the other day and showed us all how he held the door open for the other kids to walk through. It made me smile, when I caught him singing "Puff the Magic Dragon" to himself one afternoon. He is already learning so much. He loves going to the library at school and he absolutely has to bring a quarter to school each day so he can buy chocolate milk.