Polka Dots

I totally just purged on posting blogs, but it has been a while since I've added pictures. I do have a couple more to add from Thanksgiving and our trip to Kauai, but for tonight I'm done.

I finally found a trait of mine that Gavin shares- he get red blotches on his face when he cries. His forehead gets really blotchy and so does the area around his eyes. Of course, going through the "terrible 2's" means that he cries or screams or fake cries any time he doesn't get his way. As soon as things start to go his way or if he is re-directed, the crying stops immediately! This stage ends at 3 right? ;)

New Moon Premier

Although I have never watch the reality show, "Jon & Kate Plus 8", I do read People magazine and other "tabloid" types, so thought it was pretty cool to meet someone who is so well known. Jon Gosslin and my friend Melanie were friends since high school, and while he was out in Hawaii the two of them got to hang out. On the night of the "New Moon" midnight premier (yes, I know we are adults that act like teenagers over the Twilight series), Melanie hosted a pre-movie party and we had the opportunity to meet Jon and take a few picts.

As for the movie, I thought it was better done than "Twilight", but it still doesn't compare to the book....movies never do ;)

Attempted Family Photos

I think (actually know) I give myself undue stress at times, and trying to get family photos for a Christmas card certainly was one of those times! A few weeks ago when we went to the beach for the kids Christmas card, I thought we would attempt some family photos as well. Needless to say, Gavin was not happy on that morning and my attempts to get a good family photo didn't happen! Later that afternoon, I went out back and tried again, but still didn't get any shots that I really liked. Fortunately for me, Claudia-the-life-saver came over a few days later and took pictures for us (will post some later...want to get the card in the mail first)! Enjoy looking at some of my failed attempts...

From the "last" photo shoot of the day - out in our backyard.

I wanted to make sure Marley was included in our card, but as you can see she was more interested in chewing on my "props"!

At this point, all I could do was laugh. Marley was chewing on the ornaments and the candy canes and Gavin was throwing the ornaments like they were balls.

This is one of our attempts from the morning at the beach - would have been a good shot, but Gavin wasn't looking!

This is the shirt Gavin was wearing in the kids' group shot. The sun was in his eyes, which is probably why he was crying through most of the pictures. All Mark had to say about this whole day: "Kids can't fake happiness". Gee, thanks honey for your words of wisdom ;)

Kids Christmas Picture

Living so far from family has created a very unique situation for us. We have been very fortunate to cross paths with many wonderful people that are in similar situations as us - and they have become our "ohana" (family). We spend holidays together and celebrate birthdays together, which certainly makes living so far away much easier. We have also been very fortunate to share similar life experiences with our Hawaii family - marriage and kids.

Last year we decided to start making a Christmas card with all of the kids on it- we took individual pictures of each kid in a santa hat. This year, we decided to try to take a group shot. We didn't expect a great group shot, but thought them just "being themselves" would make for a cute picture. The card (made by Claudia- thanks so much!) is below..... It didn't come without tears and stress, however- but all in all - it was fun to attempt ;)

I took this one with my camera- some of the kids are missing and none are looking, but there are 8 kids in this shot ranging from 6 years to 11 months! (Gavin is sitting behind Jackson, in the red and white aloha shirt)

Gavin really didn't like "picture day" at all- he was crying through most of the shots.

Here is the card from 2008 - much more flattering for each kid ;) (They are in birth order)

Even the doggies got a card made last year- we considered getting them all together like we did the kids and take a "group shot" of them.....we'll see if that actually happens!

Gavin and Hailey

Gavin absolutely adores Hailey- she has taught him so much these past 6 months....mostly about pretend play. Having to leave Gavin everyday to go to work is easier knowing that he is happy and being well taken care of. I thought I would post a few pictures of Gavin and Hailey, since she is his "protege"

Reading to Gavin when he was sick

Taking a nap together when she was sick.

Playing in the rain water (dipping their heads into the pool)

Having a picnic ;)

Dear Santa

Tonight I found an old cordless phone and pretended that Santa Clause was on the line. Of course, Gavin really wanted his turn to talk to Santa- so I gave him the phone. He grabbed it, and said - "Hi Santa. You say Ho Ho Ho." Then handed me the phone back and told me Santa had to go to work ;) Guess he's getting a headstart on all the gifts he has to make!

Later in the night, I asked Gavin what he wanted Santa to bring him and he said an ELEPHANT and a DINOSAUR. So,

Dear Santa,

Better get busy....

Gavin has some big requests!

Aloha - Steph

Gavin's Words of Wisdom

Sometimes Gavin really makes me laugh with the things he says! He was on a kick saying "oh s#$t", but luckily stopped when we told him it was a bad word and he would go to time out for saying it. (If you haven't read some of those posts about him saying "oh s#$t", check them out...funny stuff!). Here are some of his more recent "words of wisdom"...

We are trying to teach Gavin is full name - Gavin Richard Buelow. When I first told him that his name was Gavin Richard, he said to me, "You Mommy Richard?"

Last night while I was cooking dinner, he came in asking (demanding would be the more appropriate word) milk. I told him not right then because I was busy and he said to me, "No Mom, you not busy. Get me milk. I busy!"

Bishop Museum

Today we took Gavin to the Bishop Museum to see the Dinosaur exhibit. As you can see from the pictures, the dinosaurs were life size - and they moved and made noises. Gavin really likes playing with his toy dinosaurs at home and even "roars" when we ask him the sound a dinosaur makes, but the dinosaurs today scared him! When we went inside the exhibit, he cried and was clingy, so we went and explored the other parts of the museum...he loved exploring the volcano exhibit. Since we never drive into Honolulu, we made the most of our trip down there and went to dinner at one of our favorite restaurants- Bucca de Beppo and then upstairs to Dave & Busters for a few games. What a nice way to end the weekend!

Brushing for dinosaur fossils. He still looks a little unsure of the whole situation!

We tried bringing him upstairs to see the aerial view of the exhibit - thought it might make him feel a little more comfortable with the dinosaurs.

Buzz Cut

Gavin's has only had 3 haircuts prior to this one from Daddy. We finally decided to try the clippers with him and he did great! He was so proud the next day when he saw Hailey and she noticed his haircut- he kept saying, "My Daddy cut my hair!"

Look at those long locks on the floor! Some Dora on the DVD player to keep him sitting still.

What a difference a haircut makes- he looks like such a little boy! We noticed he has a calick just like Mark does!

Gavin and his Binky

Gavin loves his binky! He only gets to have it now when he takes a nap and goes to bed at night, but if we would let him he would take it all day. I certainly see the good and bad with binkys- when he first learned to crawl having the binky in his mouth kept him from putting things in his mouth, but the bad side is that it is a habit hard to break. I know he's coming up on the age where we need have him give it up, but I know it won't be easy. As soon as the binky goes in, he begins rubbing his hair and it is like instant happiness for him ;-). Last night when saying his bedtime prayers I asked him who he wanted to bless and he said, "God bless binky". I guess that sums it all up how he feels about the binky!

As you can see below, he isn't picky about his binky (about 10 months old)

A gift from Brian & Monica (he is about 2 months here)

Taken this past summer (18 months old)

This past New Years Eve (1 year old)

Trish and Justin's Wedding

Yesterday we celebrated the wedding of Trish and Justin at the Haiku Gardens in Kanehoe. It was such a beautiful location with the Ko'olau Mountains in the background. Our friend Christine came in for the wedding so it was nice to spend some time with her! Thanks to Mike Staffaroni, who watched all the kids at his house....daddy day-care!

Dinosaur in time out

Gavin has started a lot of pretend play lately and his poor toy dinosaur has been getting a lot of time outs when he plays! When Gavin goes to time out, he needs to say he is sorry for what he has done, which is what he is making the dinosaur do in this video. Oh, and we don't feed Gavin to Marley like he does the poor dinosaur ;-)

Costumes from Halloween's past

Halloween has always been a fun time for us- it is even better now with Gavin, but thought you might get a kick out of some of our previous costumes ;-) Don't be surprised if some of these re-surface in the future!

Elvis and 80's Basketball Player (2004?)

The King, or should I say, "The Queen" (2007)

Daphney, Freddy, and Scooby-Doo (2006?)

Mad Scientist and Princess Leia (2005?)

Playing in the rain

The hot, muggy weather finally broke this week for our beautiful fall weather (low 80's) and we had several days of rain this past week. The pool that the kids normally swim in at Claudia's house filled with rain water one afternoon and this is how Gavin and Hailey entertained themselves....

Trying not to get their clothes wet!

There really is something lifting or freeing about playing in the rain - maybe it reminds us all of the worry free times of childhood. Wish I was there!

Moments that make a Dad proud

Mark was so proud of Gavin's technique;-) Guess we have a future wrestler on our hands! Just hope all his opponents are as easy to defeat as the stuffed cat!

Unsupervised child...

This is what happens when parents are not closely watching their child ;-) I was on the computer and hear, "Help Mommy- stuck!" I had to snap a few pictures before helping him out!

Halloween Party

This isn't Gavin's costume, but Daddy and Uncle Noli were having fun dressing him up as a wrestler before other people arrived at our house.

We hosted the Halloween party at our house and I got a little carried away with the decorations...

We're off to see the Wizard!

Makaela, Abby, and Gavin sitting nicely for pictures.

Trick or treating in the neighborhood with Makaela and Brooke

The girls! Heidi, Monica, Katie, Michelle, Lisa, me, Jenn, and Tanya.

Trick or Treat!

This video is pretty dark, but it is Gavin's first official "trick or treat" experience. Last year we took him around the neighborhood, but he wasn't walking or talking yet. This year he was able to go up to doors, knock, and say "Trick or Treat!" Sometimes he would forget to ask, and just reach into their candy bowl and help himself to a handful and at one house he just walked up to the door and said to the person "Put it in here" (talking about the candy and pointing to his pumpkin). His favorite house was a neighbor a few doors down that dressed as a witch. Gavin knows the witch is part of the Wizard of Oz, so he was really happy to see the witch. He even said "thank you witch" to the lady when she gave him candy! Ferry Brooke and Tinkerbelle Makaela are also in this video.

Rubbles vs Oz

Halloween 2009 - The Wizard of Oz...

even Marley is off to see the Wizard - can you tell who she is (and nope, she isn't Toto- she was too big and heavy to fit in my basket ;-)

Halloween 2008 - The Rubbles