Day 40: Happy 4th of July (7/4)

This year we were able to host the 4th of July party. My mom, dad, Molly and her boys, Aunt Shanda, Uncle Greg, Ava, and Faye with Garvis and Sami coming in later, were all able to make it to our house to celebrate. 

On my phone, most of my pictures were only of Eisley! I do have video of my other kids celebrating but only pictures of Eisley. I did steal a picture from Aunt Shanda of most of us in the pool. It was a nice day to visit and swim. Later, with Aunt Sami and Uncle Garvis, we shot off some fireworks in our backyard. Perfect way to end the day. 

Day 90: Happy Easter (3/31)

HAPPY EASTER!

Thank goodness, the Easter bunny didn't bring candy! Gavin had enough energy without adding a sugar high to it as well. Church was difficult to say the least and then heading to the Cowboy Hall of Fame for bunch might have been a disaster if we were a little more high strung. Gavin is just a little hard to handle these days and I know it's because he's trying to figure out going from only child to one of three but some days I just wanna scream and shake him! However, after settling down to eat we had a very enjoyable brunch with our families. I really love getting dressed up for Easter and then going out to eat with my family somewhere "fancy." It was a really nice morning. 

We came home and opened up all the windows and doors {finally!} and did a little weekend cleaning. Overall, not a bad Easter. Loving my life!

Day 89: Easter Eve (3/30)

We had a very busy day today. As a family, we ran to Stillwater to pick up the t-ball shirts for Gavin's team {games start Monday!!} and then came home and rode bikes, then Rennie and Gavin both got haircuts. Gavin even gave Rennie his! 

The Easter bunny came and left the babies a treat. No candy this year because he knew Gavin got sick at school eating too much candy and thought that he had had enough! Don't worry Mese and BR provided some more on Easter! The Easter bunny was looking for all Nike sandals but apparently they don't come that small. :( 

On a side note: just running an errand to Stillwater makes me want to move back every time. Someday we will move back to Stillwater. I feel as if that's our town! Love me some Stillwater. 

Day 83: Last day of Spring Break (3/24)

Last night one of my friends from school called me and asked if I would paint with her at Art of the Heart. I said sure and we painted a picture called Splash of Poppies. It was fun but one of the harder paintings I've done!

We also colored Easter Eggs. Gavin was sooo excited. The twins of course didn't have a clue but it's still fun to pretend. I always enjoy coloring eggs and next year we are going to have to do more than a dozen because everyone is going to want to color!

Day 60: Dr. Seuss Day (3/1)

Tomorrow is Dr. Seuss's 104th birthday. Gavin's daycare celebrated with Dr. Seuss books, movies and games. They were also encouraged to dress silly and have crazy hair. We couldn't figure out how to dress Gavin silly but we did do crazy hair!

He LOVED it and had lots to say about it:

• "My friends kept trying to touch it!"
• "I have green hair. That's crazy/silly!"
• "Hey guys, check it out!"
• after we washed it out: "I used to have green hair, now it's yellow again."

Silly boy!

Day 45: Happy Valentines (2/14)

We had a wonderful day and I am so lucky and blessed to share my life with such a wonderful husband. I've enjoyed every moment together and look forward to many more.

"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take but by the moments that take our breath away." - Unknown Arthur

Day 5: Family Christmas Dinner Out (1/5)

My parents decided last year that instead of gifts for us and our others, they were just going to take us all out for drinks and dinner. 

This year we went to Bonefish Grill in Tulsa. It was delicious! It's always so much fun to spend time with my family. 

Day 167: Egg Dying (4/7)

At first, Gavin was a little unsure about dying eggs. 

However, he jumped right in and loved putting the eggs in the colors and pulling them out with his hands. 

We dyed eggs at Nana and PopPop's house so it didn't hurt that PopPop was helping out. The crayon confused him at first because, "It's not coloring!"

I love dying eggs and always make my own. I'm an artesst!! :)

Day 121: Happy Fat Tuesday! (2/21)

Happy Fat Tuesday!

This is my last sweet, dessert until Easter. 

Day 104: Happy Valentine's Day (2/14)

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY

Being the technology person that I am, this is the picture that I sent to all my family for Valentine's Day. I always enjoy a good text picture and so I thought I would share the joy!

Rennie and I have a tradition of going out to a nice dinner sometime during the week of Valentine's Day. We rarely go out on Valentine's Day because we don't want to fit the stinkin' crowds who think its a must to go out on the actually day. :) So we have planned to head out to dinner tomorrow night, however I have no idea where we are going because Rennie is keeping it a surprise. Fun and aggravating at the same time.

When I got into my car this morning the small box of chocolates where waiting on me with a wonderfully written card.  I like declarations of love and I found this on Facebook on my way home today. Silly I know but it was sweet and made my day even better. 

I cannot wait to see what Rennie has up his sleeve for dinner tomorrow!!

I hope that everyone had a wonderful Valentine's day and have love in their life. 

Day 61: Babinec Family Celebration (12/31)

Happy New Year's Eve!

This year instead of presents for Christmas my parents decided to take everyone out to a nice dinner. We all met at Red Rock Cannon for drinks, dinner and dessert. It's become difficult to everyone to get together at once, so many schedules to figure out. And just finding babysitters!! It was a nice night with family and food. A perfect way to end the year!

Day 58: Christmas Gifts (12/28)

Just wanted to make note of what Rennie and I got each other for Christmas 2011. Rennie got me a new black Coach purse. I got Rennie a wine area/shelves; he even put it together himself. It looks great in the kitchen. 

Day 56: A Jumpy Jump (12/26)

I honestly don't know who is crazy, my mom and dad or better yet Nana and PopPop or Rennie and I! We are so lucky to have such wonderful family members in our life. Gavin is so blessed by both sides of the family but sometimes I ask myself {in a very good way and with a smile of my face!} "What were they thinking?!" First, Susan and Brian started Christmas with a wonderful drum set and then my mom and dad topped it off with a mini-trampoline {which in our house is called a jumpy jump.} 

Then to top it off Rennie and I decided to set it up in the extra bedroom for the winter!! We set it up without Gavin knowing what we were doing and then had him close his eyes and be surprised when he saw it. Check out the video at the bottom of the my post. 

However, now whenever Gavin wants to jump he also wants to re-enact the surprise part of the gift. He will now call us over and put his hands over his eyes and stand in front of the door and then say, "Surprise!"  He has done it everyday without fail!

Day 55: Merry Christmas! (12/25)

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Santa Claus came to our house last night!!

He brought a city train set. It was so fun to see Gavin's expression when he saw what Santa brought him. After, that we headed to Stroud to spend some Christmas time with my family. Nana and PopPop bought Gavin a mini-trampoline!! There will be a blog post coming with video about this gift. We decided to set up the trampoline in the extra bedroom! BEST PARENTS EVER?! I think so...

Day 54: Christmas Eve (12/24)

Today we spent the day with Susan, Brian, Ryan and Taylor {Rennie's family} and had dinner and opened presents. Our own little Nickell family Christmas. Mese and B.R. got Gavin a drum set! I hate to say it but I love it! He does so well and enjoys it so much. It's great that he is exposed to such great stuff at a young age. I kinda hope that he picks it up as a life long hobby. It would be so fun to watch him play in a band. 

What a great gift idea, Mese and B.R.!

Right before he starts playing, he'll tap his sticks together and say, "One, two, eight, GO!" 

Day 52: Puppy Chow (12/22)

Love making Christmas time snacks. This is one of Rennie's favorites and probably became one of Gavin's today as well!

Day 50: Finished Christmas Shopping (12/20)

 

When Rennie and I got married our traditions had to become one. We needed to take the things that we did with our own families and mold it into what works for Rennie, me and now Gavin. It's difficult because we are both compromising and changing the ways we did things in the past. However, I think that we did well when it comes to Christmas traditions at the Nickell house. 

On Christmas Eve, we eat dinner with Rennie's mom and family. The three of us come back to our house and open gifts from each other. Rennie gets things for me and I for him and then as Mommy and Daddy we get gift for Gavin which he opens Christmas Eve. On Christmas morning, Santa comes and brings one or two really neat gift(s). When we are ready to move around, we get dressed and head to my Mom and Dad's house for Christmas dinner. 

It's not exactly how I did Christmas when I was younger and not exactly Rennie's traditions either but it's comprise and it works perfectly for us. 

So my picture is my Christmas tree with gifts under the tree for Mommy, Daddy and Gavin {plus family gifts that haven't gone out yet.} We are finally done Christmas shopping! YEA!!

Day 48: Day with the Babinecs (12/18)

I am horrible! No pictures were taken at the party but afterwards the kids took a bath in Grandma's jacuzzi and I had to take a picture. 

There has to be pictures of us in Grandma's jacuzzi floating around somewhere when we were younger, probably this age!

Day 47: Schluge Christmas Party (12/17)

Day 46: Traveling in the Car (12/16)

I literally read all the way to Indy. Three Reader's Digest and probably eight Sports Illustrated.  I found this little joke in a Reader's Digest and it made me laugh out loud. I even sent it to my mom!