Thankful!

My Thanksgiving post is very late! Having left our camera charger in Colorado Springs until just last week, I hadn't uploaded any pictures from the holiday until just today. SO, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's photo organization is going down all in a day or so...a bit grueling when you snap as many photos as I! THANKFUL to be putting this task behind me, and fun to remember the great Turkey Day we had a month back...

Our Thanksgiving was full of chaotic fun, meaning we gathered with the Havenars this year! Fourteen cousins, mostly boys, nine adults, and two dogs all under one roof (thanks to the Palmer Lake bunch for opening their home, BTW!).

Our fun included a visit to the North Pole (a childhood memory of mine, such nostalgia!), a movie with the sisters-in-laws (New Moon, SO GOOD!), a wonderful multiple-dish feast, and of course much play and relaxation. We were blessed to have awesome weather in the 60's, so the kids were able to eat outside as well as run wild outdoors, too! And, speaking of running wild...

As many of you know, my son is a meek, shy, always perfectly calm and reserved child (insert: heavy sarcasm, of course :)!!!). But, I have to say, that his older cousins fueled his budding fire and he was "ON" that week, more so than I had ever seen. I noticed it the days following our holiday as he picked up a 'more mature', "nope!" sass towards me and tried to wrestle several- both non-living and human- beings as well. His nanny, too, noticed his new boldness and, hiding her smile, had no choice to put him in more time-outs than ever...couch-jumping, toy-throwing, weapon-making (out of toys), etc. I was lucky to capture this new Reed o' ours in the picture above, holding- and putting to use- a bat in one hand and toy pistol in the other, 'on the draw' and all...nice! Am gearing up for some years of wildness that I never had the chance to experience in my all-sister, Cabbage Patch Doll 'mothering' days ;)

Am VERY THANKFUL for our Havenar family, 'twas fun y'all (that's for you, Texan branch!).

Halloween+Birthday+More to Come=FALL FUN!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Our falls are especially packed as, in addition to Halloween and Thanksgiving, we celebrate a household of birthdays. Mine in mid-October (skipped this year due to my dad's retirement, though well worth the great time we had!), and Steve and Reed's ten days apart in early November. All in under a month!

I put together another "Smilebox" that combines Reed's Halloween and birthday. I loved these special days especially this year as I feel he is now "getting it". We read Halloween books as well as birthday-themed reads, discussing the routines and rituals of each beforehand. It's fun teaching Kindergarten this year, too, because I teach him all the songs and poems that I teach my class.

We had several costume options for Halloween, but ended up going with the least constrictive one as R's a finicky one! The fireman costume consisted of boots and a coat, two things he enjoys wearing daily so easy to trick him into wearing :). Plus, he's more than into the fireman/firetruck/firehouse/hose/fireman dog/ladder- you get the idea- thing as of late too. We had three trick-or-treating type of events, the first just the two of us at the Children's Museum as I was on fall break. He loved it! On Halloween day, we went to "Boo at the Zoo" as a family, with our friends The Brooks'. That night, we did the traditional neighborhood trick-or-treating with the girls next door, Kennedy and Chandler, who Reed adores! He was in awe of all the costumed kids and it was awesome to be a part of his wonder.

Next up was his Cookie Monster themed party. We didn't have the big bash that we did last year for his 1st, just a handful of kids that he knows well and plays often with, as well as my parents and his nanny, Jessica. Reed talked about his birthday several days beforehand, often confused when we'd sing to him like at a family dinner we had one night as well as on his actual day, he'd ask "where's the party", or demand "birthday cake?!", he knew what a birthday entailed and wasn't going to be short-changed!

And, so, here's a Smilebox o' smiles from Reed's great month. More happiness to come with our Havenar Thanskgiving (14 cousins= craziness and fun!) and Christmas in South Dakota yet ahead!

Happy Birthday TWO Reed!!!

Happy birthday TWO you, Reed-O!!!
(above pics are "through the years" :))
Reed turned two on November 12th and it is amazing how the last two years flew by, yet it is hard to remember life without him as if it were long, long ago. Funny how that contradiction just seemingly makes sense as a parent!

Though two, Reed is "going on ten", or at least three...he told a lady at the store that he was three when asked recently ;). He is very deliberate, inquisitive, verbal, strong, and independent...the combo of some of these characteristics make for some unbelievable fits o' rage ;)! On the flip side, he remains very cuddly which I savor every second of! Hugs, snuggles, and head resting all allowed, but not kisses..."Ow, that HURT!" is now what we get when we dare to sneak in a smooch!

Our celebration for Reed this year was not the big bash that we had last year, but a great gathering nonetheless. He was excited and seemingly awkward at the attention, not knowing quite what to do with himself as guests arrived. He rolled around and made weird sounds when his first friends came- way to "be cool", Reed! The party's theme was Cookie Monster, and he wore a cookie shirt, I made a cookie monster cake, and the favors and house were "cookied out" as much as possible (the teacher in me :)).

Having had the flu shot, Reed knew all about the process of vacinations at his two year appointment. He only had to have the H1N1 shot at his check-up, but he freaked out at everything that came before it, probably shouldn't have prepared him/talked up the appointment beforehand as much as I did. His fear-struck tantrums when poor nurse and doc tried to listen to his heart, check his ears, measure his length and get his weight made for an unnessesary drawn out appointment! He remains 99%tile for height, and 50%tile for weight...just like his mama was growing up (though the weight part caught up a bit in my later years, ha!). We followed up the appointment with a family outting to Red Robin for the birthday song and some great grub, just like last year...maybe a 'tradtion' now, know it's one I wouldn't object to!

Looking forward to another great year with our one-of-a-kind, fabulous son. We are so blessed to have him in our lives, each day a new adventure!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

What a Weekend!

There are no words to describe the awesomeness of the past weekend. As most of you know (especially if you are a facebook or twitter friend of mine!), we celebrated my dad's retirement and an unbelievable time it was.

Schedule of weekend events included:
Thursday afternoon- SHOUT OUT to my dad on ESPN's "PTI"/Pardon the Interruption

Friday- Football/Athletic Department Luncheon, AF Academy tour of new athletic facilities (for older alums who had yet to see them) led by my dad, casual dinner out where ex-players already in town were able to tell stories about my dad and catch up before the big night

Saturday- alum tennis tournament, a huge success and fun for all!, football game, and the big dinner at the press box that night. Didn't see many who weren't brought to tears and/or laughter throughout the evening!

Sunday- brunch back at the Gugat home, farewell to those who attended and dinner that night for those still in town

Monday- casual lunch at the golf course for a few remaining close family and friend of my dad's

All of this made for a busy weekend but, well worth it to understate thing. My sisters and I are so thankful that the heartfelt dedication from many that went into putting this special time together. Such effort and generosity gave way to memories that will go unmatched to any that we, or most importantly our wonderful father, will have.

Saturday started with a bang as the ex-players brought a tear (or two or more) to my dad's eye through the eagerness, excitement, and loving energy that they brought to the courts that morning. Players ranging from the class of '72 to current paired up for a doubles tournament unlike any that the great Academy tennis facilities have ever seen.

Later that night, every speaker amazed us with their out-pour of emotion and shared love for our dad. All in attendance were touched, the room a combination of uncontrolled tears and hearty laughter throughout the entire program. About 250 attended, and many who wanted to be there but could not, sent sentiments of sincerity that, too, were moving.

My dad was honored because of his success as a winning coach (the winningest in AFA history, btw!) and for his great contributions to the Academy's Athletics and school as a whole. We are extremely proud of this. More so, though, we are proud of him as a person. I truly know no other better being than my dad. And what a lucky thing that is.

I left last weekend saddened, a bit depressed to be honest, that his "era" at the Academy is ending. But, I also smile quickly when thinking about what a legendary and awesome era that was. Also smiling because, with this new found retirement thing on his hands, we have my dad that much more to ourselves. Let the good times roll...

We love you, Dad/"Coach". I can speak for so, so many when I simply say, "Thank you for being you".

Whatta WEEKEND!!!!