The Great Outdoors

Here are some of my favorite photos lately of the kids playing outside. Garrett got a really neat airplane from Papa when we were in Spearman and he loves flying it out front. The gator has always been Garrett's first choice of toys when we go out, but now it has become Gaitley's too. She loves climbing up in it and will just sit and wait until Garrett will take her on a ride. I was a little worried about her falling out but I got the seatbelt so tight I don't think she will budge. Oh and yes, she is only in her diaper and has on her pearls. We were fixing to head down the street for watermelon, so she isn't dressed, but is accessorized.

Gaitley is 11 months old

This post is a little late, but Gaitley turned 11 months old on the 11th. She is getting to be such big girl. She started taking steps a few days before her 11 month birthday. She is still not walking all the time, but is getting better every day. She loves to give kisses and clap her hands. We are working on body parts, but the only one she has mastered is her tongue. This should be an easy one for her due to the fact that she sticks it out most of the time. Her vocabulary is also growing. Her list of words includes: mama, dada, ball, bath and baby. I think she also says hello, but not for sure. This of course happens when she is chatting on her cell phone. She always calls daddy. It is so cute!

Red River, New Mexico

My mom and dad

Riding the 4 wheeler


Smith Family Photo

A couple of weekends ago the Smith family went to Red River, New Mexico. We hadn't all been together since Christmas, so it was so nice to see everyone. We all stayed in a condo and it was lots of fun. My siblings might request that the Savages get their own place next year because my children didn't sleep well and kept the entire house up all night. Oh well, I'll remember this when their children are up screaming and mine are sleeping. Garrett absolutely loved Red River. He got to ride four wheelers, swim, slide down a huge slide, ride the chair lift and best of all spend time with his favorite aunts and uncles. Gaitley had a great time too. She also loved all the attention. Spending the weekend together really makes me wish we all lived closer together.

4th of July

Getting ready for the parade
Gaitley and Mimi
Garrett and his cousins, Hayden and Holden

Best Boy Bike - Doesn't he look thrilled?
Trying to get a family photo
Mimi and Pop enjoying dessert while Gaitley is napping.
Look at that swing!
We spent 4th of July in Spearman and had a wonderful time. A family in my parents' neighborhood puts on a parade, games and lunch for all the families that live on that street. It is so much fun. We decorated Garrett's bike and he proudly rode it in the parade. He even won an award for Best Boy Bike. He got a certificate and a two dollar bill. When we asked him what he won he just shrugged his shoulders and said, "just a piece of paper." He was excited anyway and very proud of himself. After the parade the kids played games and then we ate lunch. The excitement was too much for Gaitley and she fell asleep in her stroller about halfway through the morning. Britt's parents live in that neighborhood too, so the whole family was there and Garrett got to spend the day with his cousins from Arkansas. That night we popped fireworks and Britt even let Garrett use a punk and light some of the smaller ones. Garrett told us he loved to crack fire!

Swim Lessons

Swimming to the wall.
Adjusting his goggles so he can jump in, looks like he might need to fix his shorts too.

Enjoying a sucker after swim lessons.

Garrett took one week of swim lessons this summer and absolutely loved it. He has no fear and was already comfortable putting his head under and jumping in, but I wanted him to learn a few more skills. By the end of the week he was swimming better under water and able to float on his back, this is something I could never even get him to try last summer. Now I'm a little worried he will think he can go to the big pool all by himself. I was really hoping to spend more time in the baby pool with Gaitley.

Gaitley is 10 months old

Standing all alone!


Sweet Kids!

I'm a little late with this post, but Gaitley turned 10 months old on the 11th. She is getting so big! She has started brushing her hair and trying to put bows in and even wants to wear my sunglasses. It's so funny watching her try to do the things she sees done daily. She is standing up alone, but hasn't taken any steps by herself yet. I'm not quite ready for her to walk, but it will probably happen soon. I can't say that I enjoy one child over the other because both of my babies have been wonderful, but I have appreciated all the little things this time.
So far this month has been packed with activities, mainly Garrett's but Gaitley tags along too. We have had swim lessons, Vacation Bible School, and a trip to Galveston. She has been such a little trooper.

So Much Going On

It seems like we have so much going on and I never have time to blog about all the fun stuff we are doing, so this post is going to be a little random.


Garrett and his friend looking for frogs at the Arboretum.

Now, they are playing peek-a-boo out the window. It was the only way I could get them to look at me and smile. It still works with 3 year olds.

Gaitley was enrolled at The Little Gym during the Spring. She liked it okay. She wasn't a big fan of going upside down and flipping, but she loved the bubbles.

Getting her medal from Ms. Courtney.
Enjoying a nice evening in the backyard.
I found a sand and water table in my neighbor's trash. I know that sounds gross, but it was in perfect condition and just needed a little cleaning up. They kids love playing in it.


Garrett riding his scooter after playing in the water. I think he goes through about three outfits per day. He can never seem to keep his clothes dry.