Life's a Parade

I am going to start off this post with a tribute to a good friend of ours, Brad. Now Professor Brad Cosentino,  he made his move from Urbana to Geneva, New York, on Saturday. He took a position at the college there. Brad and John have been friends for over 7 years here at U of I. They shared an office together while working on their graduate degrees and became very close. While the boys keep up their manly dispositions, we are all sad at the departure. We are also so proud of our friend for his accomplishments. He is going to do amazingly in his new position. Hopefully we'll be able to visit him in a year or two and check out New York's wine country. We also look forward to his visits back here, so the men can catch up on their NCAA tournaments. We wish all the best to Brad!

John and I both left in separate directions Friday night towards our respective parent's. John went to see one of Kolton's baseball games Friday night, which from the sound of it was a pretty good time! He had to come back Saturday to work Sunday morning. Gavyn and I had a good time in West Chicago, and went to the Northlake Days Parade on Sunday. Gavyn just loved the parade. He got to see fire trucks, a marching band, and lots of interesting vehicles go by! It was a hot day, so we didn't stick around the fair long. Gavyn got to see his Aunty Dot (Dar) and Uncle Jeff too. He had lots of fun playing at Nana's house with his new mower, pool, and other toys! What's that about Grandmother's spoiling their Grandchildren? My Mom wasn't going to let that role slip by her!

Gavyn's Nana got him a little mower....and he did this for a good amount of the weekend!

Fun!

Have to make sure the settings are right...

Mowing is serious business, you know

King of the mulch pile

Nana also got him a little pool to play in. Good way to beat the heat!

Sliding the ball down Mama's legs

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Sittin' naked, eating goldfish and milk. Doesn't get better, right?

Fueling up his mower

Happy boy

At the parade with Aunty Dot and Nana!

There's Uncle Jeff on the old fire truck!

Nana and Gavyn

Nana, Gavyn, and Mama

Marching band!

They threw out a lot of candy!

Fire truck!

They also handed out flags

Very patriotic

We did have a little experience Saturday night. Gavyn had some stomach upset most the day Saturday but it took a wild turn for the worse at about 6:00 that night. After 2 hours of trying to console him, we decided to take him to the ER. Gavyn has never been so upset, and has never screamed for so long do to something hurting him. It was heartbreaking that there was nothing I could do. Everything turned out OK, but after 4 hours in the ER we were exhausted! So our first ER visit is concluded. Gavyn was good as new on Sunday. Hopefully we don't experience something like that again!

Father's Day and Pool Party pics

Happy Father's Day! We celebrated this morning with a big breakfast and some present-opening. John got the air-popper popcorn maker he's been wanting for probably 3 years now. We went on a nice long walk at Meadowbrook park and then we played with Gavyn at the playground. This day was made for Fathers like John...dedicated, loving, and full of pride in their children. John just loves kids, and you'd think having 3 boys already would have topped him off, but he was just as excited to try for #4 and just as thrilled at the news as any first time father. He even talks of #5 (ahem...we'll see....). 

Reading stories with Dada

I want to help!

Card from Gavyn

Present from Gavyn...Popcorn Popper!

Gavyn is trying to give Daddy a freshly ripped piece of paper

He loves ripping paper

Ty-ty came for breakfast!

French toast and bacon...yum!

Today is also a day of remembrance for me. This is the first Father's Day where I won't be spending an hour on the phone with my own father. So I have the conversation with myself; I recall all the times he was a true Daddy to me and all that he did for me. He taught me so much and made me who I am. I see him every day in my son's smile and I am very grateful for that. Happy Father's Day, Old Man!

2008

Looks like maybe '89

The rest of the week Gavyn has been full of fun activities. We went to a pool party at the house of one of the Mom's in my parent's group. There were 6 Moms there with their kids and we all had a great time! Gavyn spent most of his time, as you will see, playing with the mini-mower they had in the back yard. The kid just loves machines, just like his Dada! We've been going to lots of parks. We even went to a concert at the park Wednesday night where they had a classic rock band playing. 

At the park

Watching the band!

Out for ice cream at the Sidney Dairy Barn

Cow! Moooooo!

Giggles with Mama

Love

Playing in the dirt

Ben and Penny at the pool party

Mowin' Man

Fun!

He miiiiight be kind of a loner. Much like Mama and Dada...

Getting in the pool with the other kids

Kiddy pool!

Can't beat TP

Helping Mama

Gavyn is really starting to talk talk talk. It is mostly in his own language, but I know all the words! He is quickly catching on to English words as well. He has a checkup this coming Tuesday that usually isn't scheduled but the doc wants to check on his weight. I filled out his 19 month assessment form (He is 16 months now) and he has all skills expected and beyond. My little smarty pants.