Gabe's 4th Birthday/Easter Portraits

SOOO behind as usual! I have been very busy; every time I get on the computer I forget that I even have a blog!

Anyway, here are the portraits we took a JCPenny.  As usual, not so good, but I guess we got what we paid for, haha!  Well, I think Gabe's portraits turned out adorable, because he will cooperate...but Elisa...well, you can see for yourself!  We didn't get any of the Easter pictures printed up because they weren't so great.  Darn, I made his tie to match Elisa's dress especially for these portraits!:

 

I LOVE these pictures of my cute Gabber-roos.  Isn't he just a doll?!


This is what we got printed up, it shows a lot of his cuteness all in one picture!

I thought Gabe with his Thomas train was very appropriate! 

 This one is my favorite!

We got a print-out of this one though

Mr. Train Man

You can just call Gabe Mr. Train Man.  I think these videos say it all:

Gabe making a big train in the living room from leftover boxes that his baby clothes used to be in.  He even got all of Elisa's dolls and put them in the boxes as passengers!

Gabe knows the Thomas the Train theme song by heart!

Gabe loves quoting movies, especially Thomas movies!

New Years

 Okaaaayy.....WAY behind as usual! Actually, I totally forgot about this post.  But, better late than never!
To bring in this year, we spent it at home with just our little family :)  I actually was just planning on going to bed, but Erik being the thinking one planned a fun evening for us.  He made two cheeseballs (a ranch on and a dessert one) and bought some poppers to set off and some noise-maker thing-a-ma-jigs.  The kids had a blast blowing the noise makers and playing with the string confetti.  Gabe really liked setting off the poppers!

Here's to hoping for a great 2013!!

Valentine's Day 2013

 We had a great Valentine's Day this year!  Gabe in particular enjoyed it, and no wonder he sure got spoiled!  Here are the pictures I took, there are a lot but they sure do a better job than my rambling:

 Presents for the Grandparents!

 We got portraits taken at JCPenny while my sister, Lisa and her baby Aaliyah were visiting.  It was our one and only chance to get pictures of all the cousins together until who knows how long, so we took advantage of the opportunity and got this made for my parents.  I don't think they've even seen it yet, but...I tried!

 

 This was made for Erik's parents.  It was fun to make, and the kids sure enjoyed getting their hands traced and painting!  It probably could have used some better planning and designing on my part, but it was well-received (and at the very least--seen!) by the recipients. 

 Gabe signed his names all by himself on all 20 Valentines for his preschool!  I didn't realize it at the time, but most preschoolers can't even write their own name yet, as I have come to find out.  Wow...good for Gabe; what a smart little guy!

 The silly hear-shaped egg I made for Elisa.  She ate it.  Then asked for another one.  Ate the other egg.  Then asked for a 3rd.  I gave her some bread.  Silly piggy.

 We enjoyed going to a Valentine's Day party after preschool.  Gabe had fun playing bingo (he won!) and Elisa enjoyed all the commotion and attention of the party. 

 Gabe's Valentine (sorry Eva!)

 Elisa stylin' her Valentines Day outfit

 Gabe got LOTS and lots of Valentines from his preschool friends and teachers.  He also got lots of candy--we are still working on the Halloween candy!  Arrrggghhh!

 Opening presents from Mommy and Daddy.

 Gabe picked out a little stuffed unicorn for Elisa. Here she is about to pull it out of the bag.  She calls it a "pony-corn"

 Haha silly babies.  They enjoyed their lolly-pop lips they got from daddy.

 Valentine's kisses from big brother!

 My goofy girl!

 

Erik made us a nice Valentine's day dinner! He called it "a taste of Anaheim".  He made the Mint Julip  we always get when we go to Disney Land and the "Pommes Frites".  He also made Chicken Kiev and asparagus.  And last but not least, Godiva chocolate cheesecake (made to be cupcakes!).  What a nice husband I have!!

And no Valentines day would be complete with out my made-from-scratch soft sugar cookies with homemade frosting.  Yum!

Silly Little Stinker

 My silly little Gabie--sometimes getting into mischief, but most of the time being super loveable and cute!

Gabe thought it was a good idea to paint his toenails with my lipgloss a couple of weeks ago. No Gabe, it wasn't. 

 

We love out little Gabe!  I wish I could keep him little for longer, but alas, he must grow up.  I'll miss him and his silly toddler self, and I'll enjoy his goofy, mischief making self while I can, even if it means scrubbing out pink stains in the carpet!

Aunt Lisa and Cousin Aaliyah's Visit

 Last month we had the pleasure of having my sister, Lisa and her daughter, Aaliyah over for a nice long visit.  The kids sure enjoyed playing with Auntie Lisa and cousin Aaliyah, and I enjoyed having a little extra help with the kids and girl-talk! 

 Playing in the tub

 

 

 At the Space Center--it always boggles my mind how these things are sent up in space!

 

 

 

 

 

 It was fun exploring downtown League city and stopping for doughnuts!  

It was also fun going to the beach and to consignment store and thrift stores with Lisa and Aaliyah!

 It wasn't fun, however, when this little stink tried to crawl out our 2nd story window! Yes, you read that right.  Aaliyah tried to crawl out the window.  I didn't see any of it, but I heard she was dangling out of the window and Gabe and Elisa were each holding on to a hand so she wouldn't fall! I'm realived that Aaliyah didn't fall, but seriously, why did the whole neighborhood have to witness this event?? WHY? There were several people walking outside and saw the whole thing.  I know I'm being petty, seeing as how my little niece could have died, but c'mon!  It seems like there is always a witness when you want them the least.
Anyway, it's highly probable that she got up on our leap frog learning table and pushed out the screen (don't ask why the window was open--I didn't open it--*coughLISAcough*).  All this occurred in the 3 minutes it took Lisa to go to the bathroom! Kids are so crazy! I'm so glad she didn't fall! Yay for heroes Gabe and Elisa! I'm so proud of my kids.  I doubt she would have died should Aaliyah have fallen, but she might have broken an arm or leg! It's bad enough that this incident actually occurred, let alone this little girl sustaining any injuries.  Yikes.
Besides the obvious, I'm most upset that I punished Gabe before I knew what had actually happened---I assumed he himself had opened the screen.  I made up for it with candy, ice cream, and praises, but I hope he's not scarred for life.  Poor Gabe; he was so confused as to why I was mad at him.  Bad mommy day. We shall never speak of this again. 

 All in all it was a nice visit and Aaliyah sure seemed to have fun! Too bad her mommy was sick a lot of the time!  Aaliyah is such a good, cute little girl and we loved having her here!  I'm glad Gabe and Elisa have a cousin, even if it is just one and they live thousands of miles away.