What a New Year's Eve

At our campsite in SLO we were able to enjoy camp fires. So while were at the Shannon's Dave requested a few pieces of wood from Bill so we could build a fire. We tucked the boys into bed and Dave built a great fire. We rang in the New Year (New York time of course) by the campfire with a bottle of wine. It was PERFECT!!!

Dante and Uncle Juan

Aunt Heather was working late on New Year's Eve, but we stopped by to enjoy some time with Uncle Juan and Dante. The boys made themselves right at home with Dante's toys and made a quick mess of the place. Garrett was very excited to hold Dante, but desperately needed a bath first.

After a quick bath Garrett got to hold Dante. As you can see Garrett and Gannon were very excited about this, but Dante wasn't so sure.
This is probably why - this is the look they got after Gannon tried to grab Dante and he let out a huge cry for help! Gannon gave the "did I do that look?" What a little aggressive guy we have. He was really just trying to love him!

Uncle Juan took over the entertainment of the boys by playing a little drums on the balancing ball. They love him of course and his games too! Juan has a special touch with the kids and they always take great to him. Garrett at Gannon's age was in love with him and Gannon is no different. He has the magic touch!

Gramma Toni stopped by for a quick hello!

Dave trying to remember when our boys were this little! It seams like forever ago.

A Visit to Shadow 5 Ranch

The Shannon's were in AG thankfully so we were able to enjoy a quick visit with them. Garrett had a great time playing in the rocks and Gannon loved to explore around the place too. It's always great to have POINT discussions with Moreen and for Dave to be harrassed by Bill!

Checking out the big fish
Digging a hole in the rocks and having a great time doing it.

The last time we saw Bill and Moreen we forgot to take a picture so this time I made sure that didn't happen.

El Chorro State Park

Last year when I was pregnant with Gannon I received Jury Summons, which obviously were postponed. My new date to appear was December 29th so we were unable to make concrete plans to travel after Christmas to visit Dave's family. As we always do (or Dave at least) we did begin to dream of what we would like to do and Disneyland popped to the front of our mind. The tentative plan was to head to LA till the 2nd of January and then head to Arroyo Grande/San Luis area after for a few days. Since I am SO lucky and was picked to be Juror number 8 in the box we were unable to stick to this plan. After being released on day 2 of jury duty we decided it would be best to reverse this plan and head to LA second. So from 11:45 on Wednesday the 30th we started to load the trailer and were done and picking up the boys by 2:30.

Because we were unable to make concrete reservations anywhere we were living a little on the edge (totally on edge for me!) and had called a few places, but decided to drive with no real destination. I know freak me out! Plan A was to park at Avila which is a first come first serve basis. Plan A didn't work out, but Plan B was a really nice option - El Chorro State Park. This ended up to be a great place to camp and you can't beat the price $26.00 for full hook ups! This is exactly why we took the trailer. Oh the holiday rate was a whopping $30.00! Totally perfect.

Gramma Toni came to visit on our first morning to join us for a cup of coffee since were weren't far from her work and she wanted to take a quick picture. So here is the family shot prior to showers!
What a beautiful place - there was a playground just to the right for the little guys.

Cute bridge crossing a little creek to the meadow and park. Are trailer is in the background.

Our campsite

Emerald Bowl

Papa Gossman is a huge USC fan so when Dave heard they were playing in the Emerald Bowl in San Francisco he started "dropping the seed" that he really wanted to take his Dad to the game. Garrett was so lucky to be invited along to enjoy a little male bonding time with his Dad and Papa and enjoyed every minute of it. Riding the bart, the muni, and just being at the game with Daddy and Papa. What a lucky little guy!!! We weren't sure what the weather was going to be doing so we splurged for Club seats and they proved to be well worth it. I'm glad you boys enjoyed the game!

The band of course

He ate every bite of this huge hot dog!
Papa Gossman, Garrett, and Dave

Wow - Club Seats are the best

One More Day of Christmas!

My dad had requested the day after Christmas be the day we all get together. Very unselfish of him he knew this would be a day that wouldn't have to compete with all the other families. My Grandpa and Grandma from Oregon were also down and it was nice to spend time with them also. George and Ashleigh were there too and we can't wait for their little bun in the oven to join next year! The boys were spoiled, but were again patient and appreciative of their packages. Garrett was so excited to open his own little guitar and Buzz Lightyear! He plays with Buzz at Target whenever we go to the store and Grandpa didn't even get a hint from us and picked a great one!

Dave and Garrett took off early I(see next post), but Gannon enjoyed his nap at Grandpa's and we stayed behind to visit for a few more hours. It was a very nice day - thanks Dad and Dianne.

Four Generations

Yeah Buzz Lightyear

Gannon loves his new cookie jar of shapes

Meet Baby Dante

To finish off our Christmas evening we were blessed to enjoy a little time with Dave's youngest sister, Heather, and her new family. We haven't been able to get down to see baby Dante since he was born in September so it was nice to be able to spend a little time with them. Gannon gave us a little scare while they were here, so that wasn't too fun. We're taking him in to the doctor this week to have him all checked out. I'll update more on that later. Anyway, I can't wait till the boys are all big enough to play on the beach together when we go down and visit. Dante is the opposite of our boys, tiny! Our boys are tanks so it's always fun to hold a little baby. Thanks for visiting Juan & Heather.

Mom's and their boys!
The littlest cousins

Christmas Afternoon

We headed to Mom's for Christmas Dinner and spent some time with Shane, Nicholas, and Jasmine while we were there. It was great to see the older boys finally playing together and sharing nice. They are 10 months apart and before this gap in age was big enough that they never really playing with the same stuff or each other. This time was different and it was cute to see them playing together.

The big boys waiting to enjoy their Mac & CheesePlaying with the look and find book

Gannon wanted to play with this basket so instead of going around the box he just climbed it. Seriously this kid is crazy determined sometimes.

Helping Papa put together Gannon's new bike

Garrett taking Gannon for a ride. Gannon loved it!

Christmas Morning

Garrett was the first little one to wake up and was so excited to open his surprise from Santa. Silly boy wouldn't focus on what was under the wrapping until every little spec of wrapping paper was off the box, I really don't know where he gets this type of behavior! They boys were very patient and good a taking turns with everyone opening presents, Grandma, Papa, Daddy, Mommy, and Aunt Taylor all took turns opening gifts and they did great.

After we opened our gifts we headed off to enjoy our traditional IHOP breakfast. I know this is crazy, well at least Dave thought so, but we have been going out for Christmas breakfast for as long as I can remember. A long time ago we went to a local diner and it closed so IHOP is the new Christmas hangout! We tried cooking breakfast and it was WAY overrated so back to IHOP we went! Dave is used to it now and I think he enjoys it too!

Garrett loves his new Thomas the Train set, but really doesn't appreciate that Gannon wants to play too. Maybe because Gannon is a destruction derby and tries to tear the train off the table. Some day they will play trains together...right!?!

My husband, I believe, should win an award for being a good listener throughout the year and always remembering little things I have mentioned wanting/needing and is a great gift giver. And he says he's a bad listener! So this year a friend of his went skydiving for his 50th birthday and invited a group of people to join. We weren't able to attend and I was so bummed, who wouldn't want to jump out of a plane? So for one of my Christmas gifts he gave me a certificate to jump!!! I'm so excited. This has been on my list of things to do for as long as I can remember so I can soon put a big CHECK next to it.

Yeah a new train set

Backyardigans

Gannon's Santa gift
Garrett loves his new train with his Backyardigans watching

Gannon waiting to enjoy his first traditional IHOP breakfast

Cookies for Santa

Garrett was so excited to write a note to Santa and leave his cookies and milk. Stay tuned for the Christmas morning excitement!!! Every year it is so fun to watch him understand more and more of what is going on.

Writing his note
Placing the cookies

Leaving for Santa

Christmas Eve

Another great family tradition...Christmas Eve. Every year we spend Christmas Eve with Aunti Gin, Uncle Bob, Robby, Kevin, and their families. We enjoy a nice Mexican food potluck and open gifts.

Gannon enjoying a cupcake with Grandma
Garrett enjoying ALL the cupcakes! He really wished this was his dinner plate, he even pulled the chair right up to it all on his own!

Daddy reading Gannon his new present. Gannon loves to be read to and looks up at you every couple minutes to make sure you're the one reading. So cute!

Yeah, Santa jammies

Jarrod, Madison, Allison, Trenton, Garrett and Gannon

Cousin's Christmas

We celebrated Cousin's Christmas with the Hall side of the family last weekend. Four generations of Hall's, yes Uncle Frank 4 generations!!! When we first moved to California we spent Christmas Eve every year at my Aunt Barbara's and with Uncle Bob and Aunti Gin's families. As the second generation began to marry off and have families of their own (about 17 years ago) this tradition was changed to a Cousin's Christmas that is celebrated a week or two before Christmas and we rotate between Escalon and Merced. We draw names with all the 18 and unders and they each open a gift from the other side of the family. Dawn, Nick, and kids, we miss you every year, but thank you for hosting the first Cousin's Christmas at your house forever ago. Jordan we missed you for the first time this year also. It's a great night to celebrate our family together!!!

Garrett wanted to help everyone open their presents.
Openning Gannon's - as you can see he really doesn't care!

One of the cutest packages!

Most of the kids - minus Garrett

Crazy Man

Gannon is now 11 months old into EVERYTHING!!! Well except his toys. I guess when he visited Santa a few weeks ago he asked for his two front teeth and he got them a little early. He continues to grow into a line backer as Dave calls him and a little lover baby! Here's what he's been up to over the past week...or should I say into! On my list of things to do today I'll be heading to OSH to grab more of the cabinet hooks you see in behind him and I think I better invest in toilet hooks too. Kid loves water and really doesn't care where it is!

With a little assistance from his brother

A little kitchen fun

Didn't you say you need a garbage bag - or 20?