Baby It's Cold Outside.....

Baby it's cold outside..... I know you all are probably thinking "how can it be cold in Texas?" but it truly has been down right cold the past couple of days. So with that being said, along with Greg in Dallas, Hunter and I have had to get a little creative with daytime routines. Sunday night we went to Panera for dinner. A little Mommy- Son date night. We shared some mac and cheese and a hot fresh french baguette.. Yummy !!!!
Tuesday morning it was only 32 degree's and I surely wasn't feeling like going to the gym. So I pulled out the big guns and got out the alphabet mat for Hunter to play on. But instead he had more fun taking the pieces apart faster than I could put them together, so I made a life size block and boy did that entertain most of the morning. Lesson learned this week, pulling out "new" toys from time to time is such an entertainer in it's self. So my new mission is to separate Hunter's toy's into several baskets and rotate them every couple of days.

Even Sierra was feeling the effects of the cold.. After playing outside for about an hour, she came in a cuddled right up with the blanket. Oh, what will these dogs do if we ever get the chance to move back north. I'm thinking they will need wool coats and fur lined boots to survive the bitter cold of the north.

Seghetti for the first time.... I've been testing the waters with different foods lately with Hunter. Tonight's menu tasting. Spaghetti.... What a funny site that was to watch, it took him a few minutes to even touch the noodles, then he realized they would be fun to wave around, then after watching me slurp a few noodles.... He got it.... I am proud to say, we have a Noodle Slurpper !!!!!

There's a noodle on my head Mom.... "How did that happen?"

One happy and messy little boy

And of course, every mess must have it's own clean up crew. Unfortunately, our clean up crew is learning to like people food right along with Hunter.

Spring Cleaning (early)

With Greg in Dallas for the week, I thought this would be the perfect time to start a little Spring cleaning and organizing. And first up on my project list was my closet. When we moved in over a year ago, Greg did the unpacking of the closet boxes and I've just never had enough time or energy to get in there and get rid of old stuff and just plain old organize. So on Monday afternoon, I put Hunter down for his nap, rolled up my sleeves and headed into the deep dark trenches of the closet and was determined not to come out until it was well organized. I must say, I was pretty impressed with myself. Only 2 hours, 1 over flowing plastic tub of donation items and a closet a little on the OCD side... but it makes me happy now to walk in there !!! The final question is, how long will it last????

Before
Before

After

I'm so proud of my "rainbow" of colors......
Watch out honey, your side is next...... :)

10 Months and....

SOOOOOO BIG !!!!!

10 months already...... Seriously, where has the time gone?? One thing I must say is with every passing day our love for Hunter grows more and more. He has been such a blessing in our lives. At 10 months old here are a few fun facts about our "little" guy.

~Walking with the assistance of a toy

~Pulling himself up on coffee tables

~The master of the army crawl, but still has not figured out the real deal

~LOVES to eat, banana's and graham crackers are among his favorite snacks

~Does not like to be gated in an area

~Is finally back to taking naps

~loves to look at books and listen to stories

Skyping with Grandpa and Grandma Garvey. He just loved seeing them on the big screen.

Standing at the coffee table has become his favorite thing to do. Although, playing with toys and hanging on still give him a little trouble, but when he falls he gets right back up or cries for you to help him....

Another favorite spot. The back door. Usually the dogs are outside and he'll lay there and watch them run around. But this afternoon it was raining so he and Sierra just laid there and watched with water. Of course not far from the back door is the dogs water bowl, which he's taken a few dips in already. OH, how long ago it seemed when I could lay him on the floor and walk into the other room and not worry about what he might find or get into. Those days are long gone. The bathroom door closed, laundry room door closed and 2 baby gates are now in place. Let the fun being.....

Happy New Year !!!!

Happy New Year from the Garvey's..... Hard to believe that 2010 has come to an end. What an amazing year it was for us. Settling into our new home and life in San Antonio, welcoming our son, Hunter in March, and having Greg's branch finish the year number 2 in the country. 2011 has some really big shoes to fill, but I'm very optimistic that many more good things are coming our way....
We rang in the New Year at home with some good friends from Houston. We had such a good time, homemade lasagna for dinner and Just Dance 2 on the Wii, WOW ~ what a work out, still not sure if it was from the Dancing or the laughing. I'm leaning towards the laughing... I haven't laughed that hard in such a long time.

Even our little party animal couldn't stay asleep and miss the new year. I'm sure the fireworks in the neighborhood had a big part of that, but Hunter stayed up with us until almost 2 am that night. And was in pretty good spirits, considering what all was going on around him. Unfortunately, the late bed time didn't change the normal morning wake up call (6:30am)

Group photo at midnight !!!!

Every party animal deserves a chocolate muffin for breakfast the morning after.....

Merry Christmas

We Wish You A Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year.....

Merry Christmas friends and family. We sure hope you all had a wonderful Christmas. We sure did !!! Had to be the BEST Christmas in my books. Being a parent sure puts a whole new spin and adventure to the whole Holiday Season. I can not wait for the years to come when the magic of Santa comes to life in our home. Although, Hunter was too young this year Greg and I still played out our roles to the fullest. From the shopping, to wrapping and hiding gifts, stuffing the stockings, baking the cookies, eating the cookies and sneaking the gifts under the tree after everyone has gone to bed. I think this dress rehearsal went pretty well- might need to make a few modifications to next year ( like start shopping and wrapping much earlier) Overall, we had such a great time with family this past week, it was one Christmas I didn't want to end.
Trying to get a few good shots for our Christmas cards... Not to bad for the first attempt of the day.
Santa made a stop at the Garvey's. The view of the tree from the stairwell. ( If Hunter was old enough to coming flying down the stairs at 3:00 am this is what he would've seen).

All the stockings were hung with care.

What's a Holiday without a goofy Family Photo.

Us ladies were pleasantly surprised when the guys offered to clean up the kitchen after dinner. Yes, girls that's right... we were told to fill up our wine glasses and go have a seat in the living room. Jealous !!!!!! what a great ending to a wonderful day and dinner. Thanks guys, and you all did a good job ( so far nothing has come up missing)

Wishing I would have taken a picture of the table before dinner, kind of a sad photo...... 6 VERY full adults, one messy child and a whole lot of dirty dishes... but boy, was the prime rib tasty !!

Christmas morning, Hunter decided this was his moment in the spot light and took his first few steps while holding onto the gift above. What a bitter sweet moment, super excited for him, but sad that my little guy is growing up so quickly. But the best part was his Grandparents got to share in this milestone with us. Priceless memory for all of us.

Hunter, just like his Daddy got his first train set for his first Christmas. I have a feeling in the years to come, we will have to set up several tree's in order to accommodate all the different train set's. It was fun to sit back and watch Greg playing with Hunter and the trains. I can only imagine what Christmas time will be like once Hunter has an understanding of trains. Chug-a-chug-a-chug-a-chug choot choot...... whoot whoott...... Maybe I need my very own train set....Just kidding, I think we will have more than enough for all to play fairly.

Greg, Grandpa Garvey and Hunter playing with the train set.

Out to dinner, after a fun filled day of shopping in Fredericksburg. Great way to end a super week with family.

Grandpa Steffen helping Hunter walk around the family room with his new toy from Santa. (sure wasn't expecting him to start walking so soon, Yicks..... am I ready for this crazy adventure to being)?

Santa brought Greg his shirt and my Dad got the same one for his Birthday. Two Pea's in a Pod, is all I have to say. I'm taking beats as to which one will cause the most trouble by wearing this shirt. It's a tough call, could go either way........

Santa also brought Hunter a little scooter. And it sure didn't take to long for Hunter to figure out out how this thing works. He LOVES being pushed around the house, and making frequent stops for interesting items to put in his trunk (which he's holding open, to show you) What fun, we've been having discovering his new toys and what lessons we can start to teach him. He's now clapping his hands, waving hello, and from time to time will sign "more" usually meaning more food. This was by far the BEST Christmas, and it was so awesome to have family with us. Thank you to my parents and Greg's Dad and Stepmom for making the loonnnngggg drive to Texas to spend the Holiday's with us. We love you all, and miss you terribly. Merry Christmas and Best Wishes for a Healthy and Happy New Year !!!