Play date with Caroline!

Dear Gage and Gabe,

We had some company this morning. Elizabeth and Miss Caroline came over for a play date! This past summer, we met up with them quite frequently to go for runs in the park, but we hadn't really gotten together to play. Today was the perfect day for a play date, as it was rainy and cold outside.

Initially, everyone was shy, but it didn't take long for you all to warm up to each other. Gabe, you were amazed with your little playmate. After an introductory slap to her face, you all played well together (she wasn't hurt, and I apologized profusely on your behalf, little Mister). Sharing is still a struggle. You all share things that probably shouldn't be shared - a chew toy, and then don't share things that should be shared - blocks. We had a great time together and we look forward to doing it again soon!

Posing for pics tends to be a challenge for little ones on the move.

Finally got a decent shot!

From March 2013

Got all three!

I love you,
Mommy

Pumpkin Carving Fun

Dear Gage and Gabe,

To get us in the Halloween spirit this year, we decided to decorate and carve some pumpkins. We bought a little "safe" kit that didn't require carving (except for removing the top) that used pegs to make the design. We thought this would be fun for you Gage to help us with. After removing the top and all the seeds, Daddy stuck the design to our canvas. We decided to use the bat template, as it seemed recognizable and easy enough. Daddy and I set the pegs in the design and then we let you Gage, hammer them in. You really enjoyed helping with our bat pumpkin and it turned out pretty well.

Excited for pumpkin time

Hammering the pegs into the pumpkin

Goofy face - so proud of his pumpkin

We also decided to carve a couple of pumpkins. Daddy decided on a bat design and I decided to make a Jack Skellington face. Gage, you helped Daddy clean out the insides while Gabe, you watched from the safety of the house. Our pumpkins turned out pretty well and they made great decorations for this fall season.

Helping Daddy clean out the "guts" of the pumpkin

Gabe watching Daddy and Gage clean out the pumpkins

Daddy's bat pumpkin

Daddy's bat pumpkin and Mommy's Jack Skellington pumpkin

I love you,
Mommy

Kymberlynn Alaya - 11/4/13

Dear Gage and Gabe,

You both got a new cousin! Your Auntie Maleesha had Kymberlynn Alaya at 12:27pm on Monday, November 4, 2013. She weighed in at 6 lbs 3 oz and was 18 inches long! She was little, but healthy. What a beautiful new addition to our family!

Miss Kymberlynn

Proud Auntie once more

Beautiful Mommy and baby Kymberlynn

I love you,
Mommy

Happy 11 Months, Gabe!

Dear Gabe and Gage,

On November 5, Gabe, you turned 11 months old! Since your last monthly update, you've grown your seventh tooth. You have also been eating more table foods and drinking a little juice. You love to walk along the couch and chairs. You can't quite stand and walk alone, but I think you'll be on the move before too long. You crawl everywhere and you love to follow Gage around. You're babbling and "talking" more now too. You've added m's to your vocabulary, so I love hearing the Mma Mma's. Of course, Da Da is still your favorite word, but I'm really working with you! You're growing up too fast!

Gabe - 11/5/13 - 11 Months Old

Gage - 12/28/11 - 11 Months Old

I love you,
Mommy

Jackson's Orchard - Fall 2013

Dear Gage and Gabe,

We went to Jackson's Orchard on a beautiful Sunday afternoon in October. Your Granny Dows, Jett, Sissy and Dylan went with us for the fun-filled afternoon. We went straight to the play area and let you Gage and Jett run around and play. You went down the slides with Sissy, Dylan and Jett. You played in the hay bale maze with Jett and jumped around on the big tires. Gabe, you were not a big fan of the hay, and I can't say that I don't blame you. You went down the slide with Sissy and you weren't sure what to think about it either. You had more fun watching brother and Jett play and run around.

Gage

Gabe

Gage sliding with Sissy

Playing on the hay bales

Presh

Dows and Gabe

Gabe sliding with Sissy

Gage sliding with Dylan

Gage climbing on the tractor

Gage and Jett on the slide

Gage enjoying a Jackson's Orchard apple

We had a wonderful time as always, up at the orchard. We bought a white pumpkin and a couple bags of apples. We look forward to this event every year and it doesn't disappoint.

I love you,
Mommy

WKU vs Louisiana-Lafayette (10/15/13)

Dear Gage and Gabe,

On October 15, we went to Feix Field to watch our Western Kentucky Hilltoppers take on the Rajun Cajuns of Louisiana-Lafayette. Prior to the game, we grabbed some pizza at Mellow Mushroom. That was a first for us since it opened here in Bowling Green. Your Daddy and I ate at the Mellow Mushroom in Lexington all the time when we lived there while I was in pharmacy school. The menu was similar, but the taste was different. It was good, just not the same that I remember.

After dinner, we made our way to campus for the game. We made our trek down the hill to the field and found our seats in the bleachers. Gage, you have been to a few games before, but Gabe, this was your first WKU football game. You were amazed at everything - the crowd, the band, the game, the fireworks. You soaked it all in! We watched the game, cheered on the Tops and feasted on salty popcorn. We had a really great time, but unfortunately our Toppers got beat. They lost 37-20. They played a good game, but just couldn't come out on top.

Go Tops!

Daddy and his boys

Daddy's hat is just a tad too big!

I love you,
Mommy