In sad times this makes me smile

With all of the sadness lately, I feel so fortunate to be able to have this to greet me in the morning.

 

These pictures were taken early this morning as Andrew and Gavin played around in my closet. What angels.

Our Dear Friend Katie

Please pray for our friend, Jon and his boys, Clark and Quinn.  Recently his wife and our great friend, Katie, passed away 3 hours after giving birth to their second child, Quinn.  This news has taken us quite hard as Katie was one of my first Air Force friends and one of my closest girlfriends while in Korea.  We haven't seen each other for two years but through email, Facebook, and phone calls, it seems like it was just last week that we spent time together.  Katie will be missed by many and leaves behind Jon, an almost two year old son, Clark, newborn son, Quinn, and countless family and friends.

Katie with Jon and Quinn

Clark meeting his little brother, Quinn

We miss you already Katie.  Jon, we are always here for you and the boys.

http://www.babyhomepages.net/friedmanfamily/

As most of us know, diapers and formula can be very expensive so I have set up a "Fiends for Clark and Quinn" donation account.  I created this name because a fiend is the squadron mascot for the 36th Fighter Squadron, which Katie and I were a part of.  Katie loved being a Fiendette and we are a tight knit group.  As we say, Once a Fiend, Always a Fiend.  Harrumph!   

All funds will go directly to Jon to support his boys in this time of need.  Please give what you can by visiting this link:

FIENDS FOR CLARK AND QUINN

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.  -Psalm 34:18

My Boys

Gavin got a bike for his birthday but the weather here in South Carolina has been so rainy that we haven't been able to take him outside. We finally had a beautiful, clear day so we gathered the boys and took them into our cul-de-sac to ride around - and by "ride around", I mean they haven't figured out the pedals and push themselves with their feet. Whatever works!

Andrew likes the bike too.  There are lots of buttons and noises!  This was before we took it outside, when the wheels were still clean!

I adore this picture of Andrew.  He has the cutest eyes!

"Look Ma, no hands!"

I love this picture of the boys.  They are starting to look so much more alike, especially now that Andrew is getting darker and Gavin is losing his tan.  Now if Andrew can grow some hair!!!

Can you spot the cars that Gavin constantly carries around the house?  He hoards as many as possible in his little hands and goes about his day.  He is such a boy!

One year of Gavin!

I can't believe that we have a TWO year old!  Here is a full year of Gavin in one post!

October 2008

November 2008

 

December 2008

January 2009

February 2009

March 2009

April 2009

May 2009

June 2009

July 2009

August 2009

September

October 2009

WE LOVE YOU ANGEL!!!!!

Gavin Turns TWO in Baltimore!

The end of September is usually a slow time in the squadron so we took a week off, packed up the boys and visited family in Baltimore.  We left at 5:30pm and three stops and just over nine hours later, we arrived at Melissa's house.   The drive was uneventful with one meltdown from Andrew, thus leading to a fake meltdown from Gavin.  Most of our time was spent with family, friends or at museums. It was a wonderful visit and Gavin and Andrew loved spending time with their cousins!

Gavin on the drive up to Baltimore.

We were lucky enough to arrive on Gram's last day in town before she head back down to Savannah so we decided to celebrate Gavin's 2nd birthday four days early. Gavin loves cars so I made him a car cake. I was expecting and wanting him to bust into the cake but, just like last year, barely made a mess. He hates stuff on his hands!!! He loved all of his car presents. Thank you Melissa, Mike, Allison, Mikey, Amber, David, Gram, and Gramps!!!

We took Gavin to the Aberdeen Proving Grounds for his birthday. The boys had a great time looking at tanks, guns, and missiles. We even took a great family picture in front of a tank - I guess this is what I have to get used to with three boys in the house!  At least I got to dress Gavin in his new leather jacket.  It's so cute!


Gavin absolutely loves trains so we took him to the B&O Railroad Museum in downtown Baltimore.  I wouldn't say I'd ever go back again but Gavin seemed to enjoy it - after he got over the fact that he couldn't play with the display trains.  


Gavin found a Thomas the Train play table and had quite a fit when it was time to leave. He literally ran away from us and threw himself onto the ground and I promptly took a picture to embarrass him with later.


We went to the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum at the Dulles Airport on our last day. Gavin enjoyed looking at all of the airplanes and saying, "Daddy! Daddy!"


I love sleeping babies and am constantly taking pictures of Gavin and Andrew while sleeping. Here are a few I took while staying at Aunt Melissa's house. Gavin has outgrown a Pack N' Play and he got an air mattress with an attached sleeping bag for his birthday so we decided to let him sleep in that but I later found him on the floor. Melissa's guest room has a king size bed so we let him sleep in between us. I loved cuddling with Gavin every night but it often got rather uncomfortable - Brett referred to Gavin's sleep pattern as an "H". He was always perpendicular to Mommy and Daddy!


Here's a picture of Gavin on our way home. He loves this panda bear!