Gloria's Birthday Party

Finally adding some pictures from Gigi's Birthday party on the 11th. We had a nice turnout. Wally's Aunts Lisa, Linda & Rita were there. Angie and Andy. My Mom's group friends Christie, Dean and Viktor, Leslee, David and Erik. As well as my friends Julie and Sean.



Sunshine Girl

 

Wait, what is that?

Noah and Gloria playing together?? Caught in the act getting along! 

1

Gloria turned 1 today. She's walking. Last week she just decided she was done with crawling all together. My baby. sniff sniff. She's now officially a toddler. It makes me so sad and relieved all at the same time. Any Mom can explain the feeling!

Oh and here's some pictures.

Play-dough Handprints

The other day I made hand impressions of the kids from a home-made play-dough recipe. You mix up the ingredients and roll it out like dough. Then you bake for 2-3 hours. It turned out pretty cool. Noah and I mixed up and I kept some aside for him to play with.

Curly top

Gloria's hair is really starting to show some curls.

The "I did it" pose!! (Take a look at those cheeks!)

 

Cheese!!

About a month ago, I scored this great deal on ebay. I got this bike trailer for the kids for only $61 from a guy in Oviedo. The kids seem to love it and I can get around and get some exercise at the same time. What a deal!
 

Water time fun

Here we are at Celebration, Florida playing in the fountain.
 

First Steps

Gloria took her first steps on her own last week Thursday. (October 5th) Since then she's been cruising the furniture even faster and getting brave every once in a while to take a few more steps on her own. She also does really well holding on to just one of our hands.
Other new developments with her include clapping hands (at everything but especially her brother) and waving bye-bye. I think that she also said bye the other day at the library. Also, for the last month and a half she's been (finally) sleeping all night long. Ah, what a joy. She also takes naps much better now as well.
Her first birthday is just around the corner. I have really enjoyed being home with both kids over the last year. I have savored so many more memories than I ever thought possible. It's been a real treat and extremely worthwhile.

Sweet Home away from Home Alabama

Labor Day weekend we went to visit Wally's siter Trish in Alabama. Her kids Amber and Jack adore the kids. We ate lunch at this beautiful place in the mountains.


 

Our favorite neighbors

We adore our next door neighbors and they feel the same about us, or the kids at least. Wayne works at the library and lets Noah help check books out when we visit. His daughter Lisa and granddaughter Nyla also live with him. Noah and Nyla love to play together. She's two years older than him and they've babysat for us and vice versa.
 

Ober Gatlinburg

We took a tram up the mountain to Ober Gatlinburg. Just a little bit scary to be hanging from a wire atop the mountain.

In one of those "I can't believe I did this" moments, we took the kids up a ski lift so we could ride a tobaggon type slide down the mountain. It was fun, and we have obedient kids, so it was safe, but WHAT WERE WE THINKING!?!
 

Great Smoky Mountain National Park

 

The Pancake Pantry

This place ain't got nothin on IHOP. It was crowded, but for good reason. The pancakes were divine and selection was phenomenal. I highly recommend if you're ever in the Gatlinburg area. Check it out here.