Some of the festivities included several late nights playing games, bowling, going to see the lights at Opryland Hotel (which have totally gone downhill since I was a kid but still worth the trip), building gingerbread houses with kids, making shrinkie dinks with kids and several others. There was one night when all the adults got together. We had a white elephant gift exchange and played a version of the Newlywed Game. It was a lot of fun. I wish I had all the pictures of all the white elephant gifts but they are all on my parent’s camera as are some of the other festivities. Instead of having a long post of pictures I will attach a slide show here at the end for those of you who want to see them.
Every one left around the 29th of December, so Joe and I had a few days just to spend with my parents. We spent New Year’s Eve watching the Chik-a-fil-a Bowl. I must say it was VERY disappointing to watch because Tennessee lost but it was fun to spend the time together. New Year’s Day we headed back to Utah. We made it in time to visit with Joe’s sister before she left.
Our days now consist of Joe staying very busy with school. We get to spend a couple days with him here and there. He is taking 23 + credits and is planning on graduating in April. Yea Joe!! Not only has he been busy with school but he has been very busy working on preparations for his Construction Management competition in Reno. That makes his days and nights longer and less time we get to see him. Gabe and I are so proud of him and are grateful for all of his hard work he does.
I am staying home with Gabe and love every minute of it. I love my little guy so much!! He is a lot of fun to be around. He keeps a smile on my face and makes me laugh quite often. He is getting so big! I took him to the doctor the other day and he told me that Gabe was built like a linebacker and he sure would hate to get in a fight with him in the alley. Gabe is doing perfect the doctor says:)
Just over the past few weeks Gabe has started talking a lot. Some of his new words include: football, touchdown, apple, cheese, Paul, and cookie. I guess I shouldn’t forget that he learned how to say “Opa” on Christmas Day. What a good gift for my dad. (He calls my parents Opa and Oma) A few weeks later he was able to say “Oma.” He also learned to say “ Joe” while we were in TN. He is mocking us a lot more. The other day he was trying to do something he wasn’t supposed to and Joe said to him “don’t do it” and all of a sudden “don’t do it” came out of Gabe’s mouth. Joe and I just laughed. If Gabe can’t say what he wants he sure is good at letting you know what he wants. He will come find you and grab your finger and take you to what he wants. Sometimes he squeezes my finger so hard it kind of hurts. He sure is a strong little guy.
Gabe loves to get into everything. He loves ALL balls, especially his football, and he likes to go outside! Unfortunately his mommy does not like being outside in the cold therefore he doesn’t get to go too often. Gabe is getting more attached to his daddy now these days. He gets very sad and cries when he has to leave for school. We wave “bye” to him at the front window every morning. He sure does get excited to see Joe when he gets home. It is very cute.
Another big milestone for Gabe is that he will FINALLY drink milk. I have tried since his first birthday to give it to him but he just spits it out. I even put chocolate syrup and chocolate Quick in the milk which still didn’t make a difference. Well last week I bought some strawberry Quick and mixed in with the milk and to my surprise he drank it. He really liked it! YEA Gabe!
Lastly, Joe and I decided it is time we get into better shape so we started P90X. We have been doing it for three weeks. It is intense. I will tell you that now we both HATE yoga! I dread it every Thursday. I also just started this week training for the Music City Half –Marathon, which I will run on April 24. I sure hope I got everything. Sorry for the long post. I will try to be better at updating.
Laughing at everyone else around him.
