Girls and Motorcycles

Matt, Lisa, and their three awesome girlies came to town for Brooklyn's fall break. We sure do love those guys and had a great time with them. They helped us break in Kevin's new toys.
We found out the bed of the truck is a perfect outdoor pack'n'play, just throw in some toys and line up some treats along the edge and they were set!!


Here's Lisa getting her instructions for her first ever motorcycle driving and, well, she was a natural hot rod!

Some may second guess our judgment to put our baby in a backpack while riding a motorcycle, but he's practically a toddler now and that makes it totally acceptable didn't you hear?


We also did some aggressive frisby throwing that required helmets :). Had a little picnic...and warmed up for the party that Lisa had to have for Andy since they were going to miss his birthday by two weeks.


Bryn just couldn't wait for her slice of cake {lick~lick} and then our neighbors came over for gifts.


We love when family comes to town!!! Who's next?!

Birthday Boy!

Andy had a big day on the 21st! He woke up to 1 balloon for his first birthday and then we read about being a Birthday Boy. I wasn't quite sure if he got it yet, so then we watched Yo Gabba Gabba's birthday show. Then it clicked and he was ready to party! ;)

We took off to the park and played like you only turn 1 year old once!

Then we put on our party hats and got ready for the moment he had been waiting for...

Oh, so this is what chocolate cake is? Excuse me, yummmyummmyummmnummmnummm...

One kid's birthday down, many more to go, I never claimed to be a cake decorator, just a party thrower ;).
You're right! I do love cake!
What's this? Can I drink it too?!

HaPpY BiRtHdAy AnDy!!! We love you as much as you love chocolate cake!!!

Andy LaRell Gilbert-month-by-month

Now how about some chocolate cake?!?

It's fun being Gilbert's!

Little Life Lessons

I learned something today at the mechanic's. No, not about my truck. About my baby of course! Living in this charming little town I'm blessed to run into tender old cowboys and cowgirls each day. As I stood waiting for my truck, with Andy tucked in his stroller, a sweet old mechanic came and greeted us, "I remember those days." I responded, "They're good" with a smile. "Enjoy them while you can..." he said, I thought he was going to follow it up with something to the effect of how having a teenager is such a roller coaster. But he didn't, he looked me in the eyes and finished "...because it really does go fast." Something I've never heard before? No. But this time it didn't seem so cliche. It spoke right to the core of me and I couldn't help myself from leaning down and giving Andy a great big smooch on his chubby cheek. Who would've thought I was going to leave the mechanic appreciating one of my greatest blessings a little more?

Spare key=$30. Little life lesson=Priceless.

Thank you Mr. Mechanic. In our 10 1/2 months of baby experience we know that, in deed, it does go fast. We have proof: