Pumpkins and Pony Rides

Nothing says fall like 80+ degree heat!! So, we have to "make" fall happen. We pass this pumpkin patch every week and decided that today was the day to stop by. Kyle was super excited to ride the ponies this year, so we spontaneously threw together the best cowboy outfit we could find and headed out the door. With his cowboy boots from South Dakota and his new "shooter" (gun) he felt and looked the part. And man did he take himself seriously! :)

Our little gunslinger drawing on some bubbles from the bubble machine!

Riding on a pony named Dakota! :) A worker offered Kyle his hat to complete the look. 

The boys and their bandanas. Auntie Michelle, being in the area now, came over to join us and took a few pictures of the 4 of us. Can you tell how much Kyle enjoys being a big brother? :)

Gav looks like he's smiling here.

Just over 3 feet for this 3 year-old.

Our cowboy in a space shuttle wearing Auntie Michelle's glasses. Yeah. :)

An Afternoon with Auntie Michelle

My sister recently moved to a neighboring city. We are sad that she won't be with us a few nights a week anymore, but since she moved just a few blocks from our church, we know we'll see her often. Kyle loves going to "Auntie's House" and loved providing the muscles necessary to move her in! :) 

Yesterday, she had some time off work and came to watch Kyle in his "upside-down class" at The Little Gym. (I've been meaning to blog about this but what can I say ... been a little busy around here.)  It became apparent pretty early on after Gavin came that Kyle would enjoy having a special class to look forward to each week, as well as benefit from having some outlet for his energy. So I signed him up for a sports-themed class where he learns the fundamentals of various sports and then continues learning other skills in the gym. Not only is he getting to have fun and learn about various sports, but I know from my P.E. background that what he's doing is so developmentally spot on! It's exciting. It's made me really happy to be able to give him something that he loves and is so good for him. 

Anyway, back to Auntie's visit. Here he is reviewing some soccer skills. He's a true lefty. 

He loves going upside-down.

I had to take this picture because with Auntie there (and Grammie 2 weeks prior) he was soo distracted! He constantly came to the window and smiled. He loves his family (and any extra attention!).

Then, in the spirit of fall, we went to one of the many pumpkin patches in the area. We chose this one because it's on a real farm (like where produce really grows!... in Orange County!!).

Kyle with his "binoculars."

Kyle "drove" this thing until a worker finally had to move it. My sister and I both thought of our Grandpa Hahn. Kyle would have loved all his tractors.

Then on to a tractor-pulled wagon ride.

My handsome.

 Love having my sister so close by!!

Bob the Builder

A Bob the Builder exhibit came to the Discovery Science Center and we couldn't wait to take Kyle, knowing how much he'd love it. He didn't disappoint! :) Ru met us on his way home from work and we had a fun little family outing.

Kyle is super proud to wear anything that matches his brother and that states his new status in life: BIG BROTHER! :) He takes great pride in his little sidekick. It's adorable.

 We hit up some hands-on activities before going upstairs to see Bob.

Playing a game in the "Eco Shopper" store.

Bob and Pilchard, the cat

Muck

 

Dizzy

 Building walls with rocks and wood.

This was Kyle's favorite. He dumped, pushed, pumped, and collected these balls through this contraption over and over again.

He's been asking to go back almost nonstop. What does he want to do? Play with the pump thing.

Our Family

I was given the fantastic gift of a photo shoot by Love Amber Photography long ago. We had planned to use it for Jonathan and had the whole idea put on hold until at last I got to schedule again...

...welcome baby Gavin!!

Gavin - 1 month

Even after one whole month with Gavin, it still feels unreal. We love getting to know this new little person in our house and are excited to see him go through all the milestones that are to come. He's outgrown his newborn clothing and is just about to move into his size 1 diapers. It's great to not have to worry about his weight or eating habits (at least at this point). He's healthy, eating all the time, and gaining weight well! That's nice.

It's way too early to say Gavin likes this or that, but he seems to enjoy cuddling and prefers to sleep on us. He coos and has begun to imitate some of the faces we make. He is generally a happy baby and gets lots of love and attention from the 3 of us. Kyle is protective and loving towards him. He wants his brother with him wherever he goes and tries to include Gavin in his play. We are so thankful for how well Kyle has accepted and even loved this big change in our lives. Ru and I tell him all the time, how proud we are of him for how loving he is towards his brother. ;)