Gavin's Birthday

Kevin and I woke up to Gavin saying, "Hi Mom and Dad, I'm 4! It's my birthday." He was so excited, I think he felt so grown up.
What better way is there to start off your birthday than going out for breakfast?Gavin got his first "Bideo game"
After breakfast we went to the San Diego Wild Animal Park. When we were walking into the Park, Gavin said, "Are we going to see 'vild' animals?" He pronounces all his w's as v's.
We went on the Safari tram ride first.
Luke bonded with Mamo J (via the pixie stick)...
I always love the Safari Tram ride.
Gavin loved looking at the Daddy lion. The lion was sleeping on the other side of the glass, so close. I had never been so close to a lion, it was amazing to see his huge paws and thick legs. Kind of weird to see a little baby so close to a giant lion.
Looraket Landing was a huge hit. We bought nectar 4 times! Gavin wanted to be like a pirate.
It was amazing to see the birds all over you if you had nectar. Hannah, Steve, and I were the first ones to go inside. Hannah was a little surprised to see all the pretty birds land on her.Kevin got a thrill out of it too...
Luke got pretty excited and kept giggling and kicking his legs.The Mercats were so cute!
We saw a couple of zoo keepers walking a cheetah. Yes, walking a cheetah through the park. They didn't stop at all, you couldn't pet it, but it was pretty cool to be that close to one.
Hannah and some Australian bird...Luke playing on the giant rhino statue...The San Diego Wild Animal Park has the best carousel. We took advantage of a slow day and rode it A LOT!
It was so much fun picking our animal to ride on. Kevin's favorite was the otter.
Luke was so tired, I put him in the sling and rode the carousel, he quickly fell asleep. I loved cuddling him.

After the Wild Animal Park we ate at the Taco Shop and the boys (minus Luke) went to the Duck's hockey game. What an awesome birthday! Breakfast, Wild Animal Park, and a Hockey game!

Nature Hike

We have a riverbed a couple blocks away from our house. I thought it would be fun to go on a "hike" since it was a late start day at Hannah's school. We took our friend, Little Murph, with us. He just became a big brother 3 days ago, so a little adventure would be good for him (and his mom). What a luxury it is to sit and nurse and not have to chase anyone.Ready to take over the river bed... sword, gun, and attitude...Murphy found a tunnel with a bear in it. He had to shoot him with his gun too.
We found an olive tree full of olives. I didn't know if we could eat them though, thought it was better to error on the side of caution.Of course, what is a hike without finding a big huge stick?
Taking a little rest...
Getting a few last wiggles out before we headed home.
Everyone had a great time, even Deiter! I can't wait to go back.

Pumpin Patch

We went to the Pumpkin Patch with our super neighbors (the Konolds) and Little Murphy (his mom went into labor so he got to have a fun day with us until Grandma could get here).
This is how we roll... crazy! From 14 years to 11 months.
Luke loves Brennen. He gets so excited when he sees him. Brennen is probably the only person Luke will let hold him when I'm around. The kids are getting so big! Can't believe in one month they will be 1, 4, and 6!
There is something that is so cute about babies and pumpkins. I could watch him play with the pumpkins all day. Our family...Hannah, Little Murph, and Gavin playing dead in a grave...messy fun...
AND.... the pig races! I always get such a kick out of the pig's names. "Pig Whitmen" Hahahaha... "Brad Pig" hahahaha
We did the corn maze too, but no pictures :(

Gavin's First Hockey Practice

Gavin's first hockey practice was a much awaited for event in the Jones family. Not sure who was more excited about this day, Kevin or Gavin.

Monday night they drove to the ice rink to pick up the hockey gear. Gavin already had a lot of his own gear; skates, helmet, shin guards, gloves.Kevin "taught" me how to put on all the gear. For someone who is used to putting on a swimsuit and jumping in the pool, all this gear stuff is so foreign to me.

Gavin was just so thrilled...
So was Kevin...
They were both in heaven. Finally, all suited up.
Tuesday came and Kevin had a meeting in La Jolla, so I loaded up the three kids and drove to the rink, I wonder how many times I will make that drive.
Kevin's meeting ran late so that left me, yes me, to put on all that hockey gear on Gavin. Luckily, I met a very helpful hockey mom. She showed me how to tape what and where. After about 30 minutes he was all dressed and on his way.
Kevin still wasn't there so Gavin was on his own. He walked onto the ice and fell. Poor guy, he was happy though. A coach swept him up and dropped him off in the middle of the ice with other kids falling all over the place. The coaches started teaching him how to stand up on his own. He was getting it. Kevin came about 10 minutes late. I felt much better once he was there.

(I know, I'm out of focus. I'm not a photographer. I was proud of myself for figuring out how to turn the flash off)

He really started getting the hang of it. Here they are practicing rolling onto their bellies.




Gavin was exhausted by the time practiced ended. His little under armor shirt was so sweaty and it smelled. When we got home I couldn't make dinner fast enough. He ate probably three times as what he normally eats. I love my little hockey man!
I think I'm officially a... HOCKEY MOM!

Primary Program 2010

Hannah and Gavin had their primary program yesterday. They practiced their parts so much and did well. I thought Hannah was going to have an anxiety attack though. When she got to the microphone to say her part she was breathing so hard. Gavin, on the other hand, was sitting right in front shooting people with his guns (hands). He remembered his part though, and did a good job.

Halloween Cookies and Crafts, Oh My!

I love Halloween. So every year I try to do fun things with the kids to celebrate. I try to scale back but I always seem to take it over the top, but I can't help it... It's just too much fun!

Marilyn saw this craft in a magazine and got all the stuff for the kids to do it. Spray paint a straw wreath black and then glue candy corn to it. Hannah used the hot glue gun for the first time and did really well. She burned her little fingers once or twice, but so do I.
We invited our new friends over, Faye and Murphy. Faye is going to have a baby in a few weeks and Little Murphy LOVES hockey. He and Gavin play in our empty living room and dining room whenever he is over for a play date.
We made sugar cookies and decorated them.
They turned out a bit scary, but it goes with the territory (kids making food and Halloween).