Merry Christmas 2009!

Merry Christmas! We have had a fun and busy December. It has been filled with traveling, shopping, and lots of fun. We have enjoyed getting ready for the holidays around our house. Garrin has learned about the many fun things to do at Christmas--decorating, baking cookies, wrapping presents, movies, music, and much more! It has been fun to see Garrin's curiousity about everything. He has added many holiday words to his vocabulary!

We began our Christmas festivities with Papa Kim and Mimi Karin. We had a fun visit at their house. Garrin loved his new "Choo, Choo!" He has played with it nonstop. He even lets Elmo and his friends ride along in the coal car.

On Christmas Eve, we went to church and had pizza with Nana "D" and Papa "D". It was a beautiful candlelight and communion service that was a good reminder of what the season is all about. Garrin loved trying to sing along!

We awoke to a white Christmas on Christmas morning. We stayed in our pajamas all morning as we enjoyed spending time as a family. We opened the gifts Santa left in our stockings and then had our traditional Christmas breakfast (Quiche, Cinnamon Rolls, and Fruit Salad). After breakfast, it was on to more presents. Garrin was very interested in the red wooden fire engine Santa left until Dad got his new garage all set-up. Then it was off to the races for the little people!

We are looking forward to Christmas evening with Grammie, Papa Steve, Aunt Ju-Ju, and Uncle Coo-Coo! It will be a snowy drive, but we are ready to relax at the lake!

When we return home, it will be our final Christmas stop with Aunt Rachelle, Uncle Terry, Ashlyn, and Brayden. We can't wait to see everyone and celebrate!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

October 2009

We have had a busy October 2009! It has been filled with lots of fun and lots of fall activities. We have enjoyed going to the pumpkin patch, Silver Dollar City, Spooktacular, and several other fall festivities. We have had lots of fun with cousins and family at our house too! Here are some pictures of our fun and busy fall:

Grammie's Pumpkin Patch

We had a fun day in Stockton at Grammie's Pumpkin Patch! It was fun to find just the right pumpkin, play peek-a-boo, and ride Papa Steve's rocking horse. What a great fall day!

Here are some pictures from September and October. Enjoy!

We had fun Saturday at Dickerson Park Zoo. We bought a new Flip Video to record Garrin's fun moments. Here is a video we put together of yesterday afternoon. We had a lot of fun!

17 Months and Walking!

Garrin is walking on his own! He turned 17 months old today and he began walking around the house unassisted tonight. No walker, no finger, and no help! We are so proud of the progress he has made.

It was bath time tonight and we were going through our bedtime routines after watching our nightly ritual of "Melmo" (Elmo). Trishna started the bath water while Garrin undressed in the bathroom. As soon as the diaper came off, it must of meant freedom! He took off toward his bedroom as he streaked through the house with nothing (literally nothing) holding him back. Back and forth, back and forth he walked between the bath tub and his bedroom. The fun ended as he dove head first over the tub and into his sudsy water.

After the bath, more walking was to be done. He dried off, put his pajamas on, and headed on more adventures. He brought daddy some different things that he found around the house. He even decided to brush his teeth on the go tonight! What exciting adventures will lie ahead!

We are so excited for him and can't wait to see what tomorrow brings!

Summer Fun!

We have been enjoying our summer! Garrin is definitely an outside boy. He enjoys swimming, wagon rides, bike rides, walks, and anything that involves the outdoors.

We spent a week of our vacation at Branson. We went back to Stillwater Resort on Indian Point. We enjoyed all three swimming pools, the kayaks, the bikes, and just spending time with each other. We spent the mornings at Silver Dollar City and then would go back to the resort for naps and afternoon fun! It was very relaxing and great to get away.

We have spent a lot of time around home this summer too. Garrin enjoys trips to the library for story time with mom. We have also taken advantage of the Family Nights at the new Willard Aquatic Center. Garrin loves the slides in the train! We have so much fun in the water.

We are gearing up for Grammie's 60th birthday this week. Uncle Travis and Aunt Julie are joiningg us along with Grammie and Papa Steve in Arkansas for the week. We have a little cabin in the woods on the Little Buffalo River. It will be a fun time to get away with family!

Summer Vacation

Summer 2009--Here we come! We have enjoyed our week off from school before we begin summer school. It has been filled with lots of activities and fun! We have enjoyed the weather outside. It has been nice spending time with each other and forgetting about school.

As we started our summer vacation, we began our weekend with a family fish fry at Cousin Ashley's. It was fun to see all of Garrin's 2nd and 3rd cousins on the McMaster side of the family. Garrin spent most of his time riding Cash's green four wheeler!

On Sunday, we ventured to Grammy and Papa Smith's. We had fun playing outside and exploring at the lake. Garrin took his first canoe ride with Dad, Mom, and Grammy Smith. We enjoyed the scenery of the lake and even splashed a little in the water. Before we got off the lake, Garrin tried his first kayak ride too. He's a natural!

On Tuesday, we went to see all the animals at the Dickerson Park Zoo. Nana D and Papa D gave Garrin a friends of the zoo season pass so we could enjoy the zoo throughout the year. It was a rainy day, but we managed to find a break in the rain to enjoy the zoo.

On Thursday, we took a 2 night, 3 day, mini-vacation to Branson. We stayed at Stillwaters Resort at Indian Point. We had all sorts of fun. We swam in the pools, fished with cane poles, used the paddleboats, went for a bike ride, and played at the playground. We even ventured to Silver Dollar City and went on the train and the flooded mine! Garrin did so well. We could play and go back to our room for naps at our leisure. We had a good time relaxing and playing! We can't wait to go back! Be sure you look at our pictures below:

Silver Dollar City

Garrin is an official Ozarkian! He made his first trip to Silver Dollar City in Branson, MO today. It was so much to take in. We began our afternoon strolling around Silver Dollar City. It was fun to see all the people, smell the country cooking, and hear the sounds of the train. Garrin's favorite spot was in the children's play area. He used the vacuum tubes to suck up the foam balls. The clown on the wall was also fed the soft round balls. After fun on the bouncy frog, we moved on to the powerful waterguns. We had fun spraying the objects in the water. Garrin's favorite part of the day was watching the people on the giant barn swing and the rafts on the lost river. He laughed and looked at them in awe! It was fun to play at Silver Dollar City!

Garrin's First Easter

Grammy Jeanie and Papa Steve know how to throw an Easter party! On the Saturday before Easter, we were able to go to Stockton and celebrate Easter with family. We had fun with Grammy Jeanie and Papa Steve, Nana D and Papa D, Aunt Rachelle, Uncle Terry, Cousin Ashlyn, Great Nana, Aunt Audrey, and Cousin Charlene.

We had a gorgeous day to hunt for eggs, walk to the lake, and eat Easter treats! Ashlyn and Garrin had their own egg hunt in Opie's Garden. Then it was on to a wagon ride with Papa Steve while the adults had their egg hunt. We had lots of fun getting sweet treats and finding out the prizes in the bunny bags. We can't wait until next Easter in Stockton!

Garrin had a fun Easter morning at home. Garrin discovered that the Easter bunny had found his basket that Grammy Jeanie had made him. The Easter bunny left a fun farm with building blocks for him to play with. For lunch, Garrin went to Nana D. and Papa D's. He had fun playing with Ashlyn.

Garrin's First Birthday

Garrin turned one on March 24, 2009! He has had a week full of celebration with friends and family. Garrin's first party was on Saturday with family. Everyone came to our house and celebrated with us. We had a good time playing pin the wheel on the truck and taking truck rides! Garrin received many wonderful gifts. He was busy opening clothes, toys, books, eating utensils, and much, much more. We enjoyed Ott's Pasta for dinner and a yummy birthday truck cake for dessert. It was fun to play with grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins as we celebrated Garrin's first year!

On Garrin's actual birthday, we had a simple celebration at home. Garrin awoke to a new slide and outside play equipment for the yard. He was so excited to see his present setup in the living room. He had fun going up and down his new slide all morning. After a morning of fun and an afternoon nap, we ventured out to get one year pictures taken. We can't wait to share them with everyone. While we were out, we had a birthday dinner out and headed home for birthday cake. Garrin loved his giant cupcake!



This weekend we will wind up the birthday festivities in St. Louis. We can't wait to spend time with Uncle Travis and Aunt Julie! It will be a lot of fun to celebrate with them.

Garrin Rides Clifford

Not only does Clifford make reading fun, but he makes getting around the house fun too! Garrin has figured out a new way to move around the house. He loves Clifford, the big, red dog! He has figured out how to go by pushing himself; however, he has not mastered stopping yet. He has no fear as he cruises around the house.

Ashlyn's 2nd Birthday

From February 2009

We have had a busy weekend celebrating Ashlyn's 2nd birthday. Ashlyn will be 2 on February 12. Happy birthday Ashlyn! We were able to spend time with grandparents, great grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. We had lots of family time and playtime this weekend. We had a lot of fun together this weekend celebrating!

From February 2009

The fun began on Saturday as we went to the park in Willard. Garrin and Ashlyn had fun taking a wagon ride together. Then it was on to the slide! Our time at the park was short lived due to the wind. However, it was fun to be together.

On Sunday, we spent the morning at Nana D's and Papa D's. The weather was gorgeous! Of course that meant another wagon ride. Garrin and Ashlyn rode in the wagon with sippy cups in hand as Papa D proudly strutted through the neighborhood. It was fun to be outside!

Garrin's First Swim Lesson

Garrin was able to use one of his Christmas presents this week. Grammy Smith and Papa Smith gave Garrin swimming lessons for his first Christmas. It was fun going to Garrin's first swim lesson on Wednesday night at Springfield Gymnastic and Aquatic Center. For the next seven weeks, Garrin will be able to enjoy swimming!

At his swimming lesson he learned some swimming techniques. Class began by singing "Row, Row, Row Your Boat" while moving your arms in the water. Then all the babies swam from their teacher to their parents in a circle. After swimming on their bellies, they floated on their backs. Next it was under the water and through a hula hoop. It was fun to see Garrin learn different ways to swim in the water.

After learning some technique, it was off to the adventurous water activities. The teacher encouraged the kids to climb up on the big green floating hippo in the middle of the pool. They would jump and scoot off the hippo right into the water. After swimming from the hippo to the side of the pool, the babies learned to go off the side of the pool. Garrin would sit on the edge of the pool and hold Trishna's hands as he would fall into the water. After having fun at the side of the pool it was on to the baby slide! Garrin held on to mom's hands as he slid down and into the water. Finally we ended our first class on the diving board in the deep end. Garrin went right into the water to his teacher waiting below. What a brave boy!