Toy Story Party Set Up

I really wanted to do a combo party this year for the boys to make my life a little easy and also for our guests.  Having two birthdays 6 weeks apart and right after Christmas is a challenge so why do it twice!  After much thought and research I found a theme that would be perfect for both of them, Toy Story.  I started checking out Pin's on Pinterest and got to work.  Photo booth created, basic cupcakes ordered that I could "doctor" to make aliens, bingo game created, and decorations ordered.  I'm not sure what was more fun for the boys, helping set everything up or the actual party...okay probably the party.  Another perk..."Pizza Party" delivered!  It was another cute, fun Gossman party if I do say so myself!

 

Sending Some Hugs

Dave's first weekend away and we needed a little project to work on.

 

Dave's sister had to have a little surgery and my Grandparents love projects from the boys so we made them some "hugs" and mailed them off.  Garrett being older, is much more patient and precise so his prints turned out perfect! Gannon loves to do his own, so his had "his" spin to them!  They turned out cute. 

 

 

Gannon's 4

I can't believe our little baby boy is already 4! He is so crazy and so much fun, can't imagine life without him. Garrett and I took him pizza and cupcakes to school to celebrate with his friends.   

 

His birthday happen to be the same night as skate night so he was ready to go skating.  He is so daring on his little skates and even hikes his leg up for the hokie pokie, it's so cute.  He swears he's big and can go fast all alone.  He's a little man on a mission at the roller rink.  Grandma and Papa came to watch him skate and came over for cupcakes and a couple presents.  He wore his hat that his teachers made for him and loved his gifts. 

 

Gannon continues to have quiet the allergy problem, so we watch what he eats and have only been able to add back wheat.  We have his little diet down, although it is a pretty boring one!  I try to cook the same for everyone at dinner so our "flavors" are limited too.  If I really want something he has to eat something different.  He doesn't seem to mind, except he'd love to eat an entire back of goldfish!

 

Gannon is a little free spirit and sometimes just wanders around talking to himself!  He loves Toy Story, Little Einsteins, games, bubbles, and he loves to be a little helper. 

 

His favorite color is blue.

 

Vegas Getaway

Dave and I woke up EARLY to drive from Arroyo Grande to Vegas.  It was early, but nice that the roads were free of traffic! We stopped and had breakfast at IHOP and decided this must be a "tradition" to eat IHOP on holidays! We went to "old" Vegas and were true tourist checking out a couple of our favorite show stores.  Pawn Stars and the Toy Shack, Pawn Stars was pretty cool, but it made you realize how staged the show really is.  Chumley did make an appearance for autographs and pictures which was pretty cool. 

 

We headed to our hotel, Caesar's and Dave's used his magic to get our already free room upgraded!  We had a nice Jacuzzi suite with a view of the strip.  We found a discount ticket booth across the street from our hotel and scored tickets to the Terry Fator show, grabbed dinner and a drink and went to the show.  We enjoyed the show and headed to find a blackjack table.  Little did we know that finding a single deck blackjack table in Vegas was almost impossible, making our game time crazy limited!!! 

 

The next day we headed out for a walk of the strip to find a place to play cards, again realizing that our favorite tables are almost impossible to find.  We did however find a seat at the bar in Dick's Last Resort. If you have never been to one of these restaurants you're missing out on some seriously funny staff and some stupid people, you don't go to this type of place with a frown on your face and expect it to be a "classy" place.  Drinks are ridiculously expensive, but the atmosphere is great.  We thought we were stopping in for "a" drink - 4 hours later we finally left.  Left with a couple that we met at the bar, got in a taxi and headed back to old Vegas.  It was a ton of fun.  Dave swears he feels like he got robbed of a day because it was a bit of a blur! It was a great fun trip and I actually can't wait to go back. 

 

Final Sunset of 2012

Dave and I took the boys for a little vacation with Aunt Shannon and took were headed ourselves to Vegas!  Final day of 2012 we drove down to the beach so that we could get the boys settled with Shannon and headed the next morning our for a couple of days of adult time.  The boys love going to the beach and even more love spending time with their Aunt. 

 

Christmas Day

After a long night at Aunti Gins, Garrett was up around 7 and Gannon was snug in our bed, wanting nothing to do with getting up!  Mom, Eddie, Taylor, and Grandpa came over around 8 to open presents.  Garrett got a baseball net from Santa and Gannon got a Little Einstein Rocket.  (see more on Santa below)  Lots of wrapping paper and presents later we were all done.  The boys had a great time opening gifts and loved everything they got. 

 

Santa side note - Garrett asked Santa for two things - a book that he could read and Batman Legos.  Thank God my cousins got him some Batman Legos because I don't think Santa heard him.  Although he loved his gifts and never once complained about not getting what he asked for, which made me happy, I told him we better write Santa a letter next year.  Santa's helpers need to do a better job listening and communicating because our poor little 5 year old didn't get one toy this year.  Lots of other stuff that he loved, but not one toy!  Sports stuff, hats, and clothes that he loved, but next year he'll be getting whatever he asks for (within reason of course).  He did well, but did want to play with his brothers toys!

 

We did our tradition of IHOP breakfast after presents.  The boys played for a bit and then Shane, Jasmine, Nick, and Jack came over for dinner and more gifts.  It was a fun day full of family!

 

Christmas Eve

Our Christmas Eve tradition is one of my favorites.  My Aunt Virgina and Uncle Bob have us over for Christmas Eve with their boys, Kevin & Robby and their families.  It is always such a fun night.  As we pulled down their driveway Garrett said, "I love Christmas at this house!"  Melts my heart that our Christmas traditions are starting to be memorable to the boys at their age.  Love it!

 

Waiting for everyone to arrive Garrett, Gannon, and I played a few games of War.  Gannon won his first hand he ever played and Garrett said it was okay because it was a game of luck!  My Mom's friend Carrie brought the kids a Christmas Bingo game which entertained all the little ones for a long time, nice time to enjoy a glass of wine!  Thanks, Carrie. 

 

One of the best parts of the evening has become the "Adult" White Elephant exchange.  The rule is the gift you bring has to be something you have around your house, NO store bought items.  Over the years we have had some good laughs at the gifts and this year was no different!  Always a fun time.