Happy 2nd Birthday Halle Elizabeth!

December 14, 2008

Halle celebrated her 2nd birthday with a Strawberry Shortcake party!

Guests included Grandma and Grandpa Gatto, Carrie, Stephen, Ella, Grady, Mom and Dad, Jayden and Grandpa Scott.

Opening Gifts

Cheeeeeeeeese!

I'm a big girl now!


Blowing out Candles...Jay, let Halle do it!

Halle had a great time serving (pretend) toast and coffee to everyone, riding her new bike, and toting around her purse!

Fall 2008

Painting Our Pumpkins

Trick or Treat!

Sooo DONE with the Mask

The Rivalry...

Did You Have Fun, Jay?

It's All Good!

Jay had his cardiologist appointment this morning to look at his little heart. The family doctor had heard a very slight murmur, and with family history, thought it would be best to check Jay out. And GREAT news! The X-rays and EKG were normal, and the doctor didn't even hear a real murmur. The 'noise' he heard was a common noise in almost everyone, and was only audible b/c our little Jay has no fat on his body =)

Jay was a real sport through the whole appointment. Hooray for our healthy little boy!


Peeling off the stickers. He even got to keep them =)

Welcome Home Grandpa Scott!

On October 3, 2008, we all took a trip back to Larchwood Iowa to see Grandpa Scott, who just got back from Balad airbase in Iraq where he was stationed for over 2 months! We are soooo happy he got home safely, and pray that he doesn't have to go back anytime soon.

Grandma gave Jay a much needed haircut!

Nice Hair, Buddy

The very long car ride home - they were so good for the whole 5 hours (we didn't even stop once!)

The Little Things

September has just flown by. With work, preschool, real school, travel, a broken dryer, washer, and water heater, I have noticed that the time just seems to be going faster and faster (and becoming more stressful!). With this blog I wanted to pause for just a minute, and think about the little things that happen each day that really make life wonderful (and amusing!).



Playing house under the kitchen table


Watching "spiderman" jump off the coffee table (for the 100th time)



Rooting for our favorite teams.....whomever they may be =)

Reading books.....

Playing Dress-Up

The very first pig-tails

Moments of sibling peace when we are truly blessed to have two beautiful babies

Happy Fall to all our family and friends!

Preschool: "Better Than Good"

Jay had his first day of preschool Monday, August 25th. He was SO excited. He is going to 'Love to Learn' preschool in Manchester taught by Mrs. Harper. He has 5 other kids in his class, and goes 2 times each week.

Dad and Jay before we left




Nice back pack Jay






Mrs Harper



Goodbye Jay (sniff, tear)....

Their first day was spent playing at the park and feeding the horses. When asked if he had a good day at preschool, he responded "better than good!" He is officially a little boy.





Update:

Not only did Jay start preschool this week, he also learned to ride his bike with NO TRAINING WHEELS!!





Not to be outdone by her brother, Halle went potty in the potty chair for the first time this week too! Yay!!!

Viva Las Vegas

On August 1st, Joe and I set off on Allegiant airlines to Sin City. We took the weekend trip with Matt and Amber Cook. We had a great time seeing the sites, shopping, eating, and going to shows, and we also had a bad time losing money in slot machines, and walking around in 100+ degree heat! Here are a couple highlights from the trip.....

First of all, Joe would like everyone to know he went SKYDIVING in Vegas. He and Matt got up at 7:00 on Sunday morning and drove out to the middle of nowhere, where they took a small plane up 13,200 feet and then jumped out. Joe had an awesome time, and would do it again if given the chance.




We spent Saturday walking the strip. This photo was taken outside the Paris Hotel (where I didn't win anything, either)

HOT SHOTS!! My absolute favorite slot game. We spent a few hours here sipping our free drinks and dancing each time we happened to get "hot shots". We are easily entertained...

The most amazing and memorable part of the trip was Cirque de Soleil. We had 3rd row center seats and it was spectacular. Joe and I got picked on by the clown. He actually took us out of our seats and led us out of the auditorium. He kept whispering "just go with it" under his breath.

We spent Sunday night exploring the town and the Casinos. We ate at the Rio that night - best crab legs ever!

You can't go to Vegas and not watch the Bellagio water show. "Viva Las Vegas"

Pictures

What a fiasco!! We had the kids' pictures taken (4 year, and 18 month) at JC Penny Tuesday night. We got some really great pictures of the kids - they are just too cute. We even took them to Chucky Cheese's after we were done. Joe and I were exhausted by the end of the night.

Our first official "family picture" did not turn out very well, as it was the last picture taken and we were all ready to GO!!


The kids....

What a little pre-school stud...

When did my little baby turn 4???




Halle:"Get your arm off me and get me outta here"

The bow was not attached to the dress by the end of pictures (which, by the way, only lasted 15 minutes)



Jayden, you don't have to smile so big. Jay, stop forcing your smile. Jay, what are you doing???Jay! Just smile normal!!!

Gotta love them =)