May Day

May 1, 2010
In my home, May Day is a celebration of Spring...and today was a gorgeous celebration! The day initiated at the t-ball field where Gannon and his team, the Dolphins, played to their heart's content. Miss Mila wasn't certain if she wanted to cheer or join the team today?! After the game, we were delighted to go to the farmer's market (they opened today!!!) - I was extremely excited to bring home a bouquet of sweet peas and a basket of strawberries. Heaven! Next we made a visit to Anne where she provided us with tomatoes for our garden that she has cared for since seedlings. Ensuing our visit, we joined this year's garden tour and experienced some beautiful home gardens that inspired our newest venture...creating a vacation resort-type of feel in our own backyard - which is also why I insisted that we hire a pool man!

Pretty Baby!

Proud Daddy!

Look at that stride!

5th Birthday Party with Friends

April 17, 2010
Since Gannon is a brand new Ninja, he chose to have a karate or Kung Fu panda-themed birthday party this year. He was extremely excited to show all of his friends where he takes martial arts and introduce them all to his Master. The party was active and fun!!!

NAPS Birthday Bash!

April 16, 2010

Happy Birthday Gannon Ray!!!!!

April 11, 2010
You’d think that after FIVE of these birthdays, it would begin to sink in that my oldest child is growing up right before my eyes. How is it that I am still stunned?? A little dismayed even! This moment reminds me of that line in “Where the wild things are” when the monsters say to Max as he sails away back home: “Oh please don’t go! We’ll eat you up, we love you so!” I just want to gobble my son and keep him this happy-go-lucky age forever.

Grow-up he must. He is so smart and capable of great kindness & great protest (especially at Toys-R-Us).

Happy 5th Birthday Gannon Ray!
*Best jedi in the world!*
*Thank you for coloring our days…we would be so bored without you*
*Every time you say your heartfelt prayer each evening so sweetly,
I love you more.*
*You love your sister.*

*There's not a board game or puzzle you won't tackle.*

*You will create a sword or gun out of any available material.*
*We adore your big shark eyes and sarcastic sense of humor.*

Most of all on this birthday, I remember becoming a mother. It has been a joyous experience for the past five years. The best experience of my life is motherhood. Thank you Gannon for starting me out on this journey so nicely.

With all of my love,

Mommy

Celebrating a very special 5th birthday...

April 11, 2010

Happiest Birthday Gannon!!!

LOTS of Princess love to the Birthday Boy!

Gannon made his very own lightsaber today, so we decided to attend the Jedi Training Academy so he could learn how to properly use the tool. We were so proud of our 5-year old as he was chosen to hone his lightsaber skills as a Padawan where he learned techniques and moves from a Jedi Master. This was an awesome opportunity for Gannon - at the training he took the Jedi oath, mastered lightsaber skills, learned great moves and battled Darth Vader where he saw victory!!!

Congratulations Jedi G!

Anyone who knows our Gannon, knows that he REALLY likes pirates - so we decided to celebrate his birthday dinner at the Blue Bayou (another of Gannon's favorites). It is so fun to feel as though you're sitting under the stars while Pirates of the Caribbean passenger boats drift past...

Cute pirate!!!

Check out Gannon's birthday cake treasure - delicious!

After dinner - off to rides, rides and more rides. Gannon had an extremely wonderful time at Disney during this visit because he was able to ride every ride he wanted except the #1 ride he was looking forward to and that was Indiana Jones; he wasn't tall enough - next time buddy!

More Magical Moments...

April 10, 2010

The morning began with Gannon's favorite character breakfast; Goofy's kitchen! We love this delicious whimsical buffet; so yummy and so fun! Gannon and Mila enjoyed baking a cake with Goofy and doing the twist with him as well. To top off the morning, Gannon and Mila were able to hug and talk to some of their favorite Disney celebrities.

After breakfast, we headed to California Adventure for great rides, good wine and lots of giggles.

Gannon had to "hold-up" the N since he has so many in his name.

Miss Mila - a true little girl - found this Minnie Mouse purse, fell in love, put it around her wrist and began to walk out of the store with it. It's almost as if she looked back at her Daddy and said, "Daddy, get this for me. Thanks!"

Gannon literally crashed while Daddy was carrying him back to the hotel. Mila kept looking at brother wondering when he was going to wake up and play with her.