Gavin "Hearts" the Tram

For Matt's birthday this year, I decided to surprise him with a family trip to the Palm Spring Aerial Tramway. We have always wanted to go and I figured it would be a fun, inexpensive way to spend the day. So, the day before his birthday, we bundled up in warm clothes (the weather report showed 23˚F) and headed to Palm Springs. We didn't know how Gavin would react to the tram or the snow since he has never been in it before. I was worried that we would end up with a freaked-out child half-way up the mountain with no way to get out and calm him down. However, that was definitely NOT the case. Gavin loved the tramway so much that he didn't want to get off! The ride up went smoothly and then we headed over to the restaurant to enjoy lunch before playing in the snow.

The view from the top

It was absolutely beautiful at the top and it was so much fun to see Gavin playing in the snow. There is a long, windy sidewalk leading to the snow and Gavin insisted on carrying a small clump of it in his glove the whole way down. In fact, every time the little clump would melt or fall apart, he would have to pick up another little clump before we could continue on. And, each time people would pass us on the trail, our polite little man would say, "Hiiii," which naturally earned him many friends along the way.

Once we reached the snow, Gavin was excited to see a little snowman that was just his size. He piled some extra snow on the top before exploring other areas. We had such a wonderful time just enjoying the outdoors and being together as a family. Matt and I loved watching Gavin play in the snow with his poor little red nose.

After awhile, we returned to the station for the ride back down. Gavin was very excited to be getting on the "cam" again. In fact, once we reached the bottom, he burst into tears and yelled, "Cam, cam!!" We told him that we would return to the Tram another day, but trying to reason with a very upset 22-month-old is nearly impossible. So, we just walked as quickly as we could to the car to keep from disturbing the other guests with our screaming child. Good times.

Overall, it was a wonderful day and we would definitely do it again.

22 Months Old

My sweet boy,

You are growing up so fast and becoming such an independent little guy! You want to do things yourself and you seem to know exactly what you want at any given moment. You are so very smart and sometimes I don't even know where you have learned some of the things you know. You are talking up a storm lately and your vocabulary seems to be growing faster than you are! You also have several interests and skills, so it makes Daddy and I wonder just what you are going to be when you grow up - an athlete? a musician? an artist? a race car driver? The possibilities are endless. We are excited to see what the future has in store for you. Here are some new things about you this month:

• You love wearing your rain boots that Grandpa C got you. You want to wear them every day, even if it's just around the house.



• You love the guitar Grandpa and Grandma S got you for Christmas and you look absolutely adorable when you play it!




• You told me one day that you needed to go poop and I set you on the potty and you went! Then, you did the same thing later that day. Daddy and I were so proud of you for using the potty twice in one day all on your own!
• I came home from work one day to find that you had learned how to do "push-ups." You lay on your tummy with your arms pushing yourself straight up and you bob your head up and down. It's too cute!!
• You love to use your new tools that Grandpa and Grandma S got you to work on your new car.







• You decided that you love "Choo-choo's." So now, we TiVo Thomas the Tank Engine for you to watch every now and then. I even bought you a little Thomas toy that you love.
• When you pick things up, you will sometimes say, "heavy!" with a lot of strain in your voice. It is so funny!
• In addition to the guitar, you also love playing Grandpa S's keyboard!





• When I made a casserole for dinner one night, you were curious about what I was making and I told you that I was cutting an onion. After that, you kept saying "onion, onion" until I gave you some from dinner. Surprisingly, you loved them and only wanted to eat the onions in the casserole.
• You make the funniest faces and really crack me up!

• You got three more teeth this month so you now have eight! I'm hoping that, with more teeth, you won't be such a picky eater because you'll have an easier time eating. (Ha! A little wishful thinking can't hurt, right?)

Each new month with you brings new joys (and a few challenges). You are growing up so fast and I just adore seeing you become an independent little guy who wants to do things all by himself. You amaze me everyday with how smart you are and how fast you learn new things. You are such a sweet and loving kid and I am so thankful to be your mommy! I love you so very much, Gav!!

A Growing Team of Angels

Shortly after Christmas, we received the devastating news that Matt's Mamaw had passed away. Since Papaw passed in early October, Mamaw just wasn't the same. Some say she grieved herself to death. The two of them shared a love that was so strong and wonderful that they had truly become one. It was almost impossible to say one of their names without the other - they were always "Papaw and Mamaw." They adored each other and spent every waking moment together. Visiting them was always so much fun because they had great stories to share and were just such a joy to be around. They absolutely loved spending time with their great-grandchildren and cherished every moment with them. I remember our last visit with Mamaw, she was just watching Gavin with such love in her eyes and she laughed as she said that she just loves how he walks. She said that he looks like such a little man when he walks rather than a toddler. But it was still clear from the look in her eyes that there was a great sadness within her because Papaw wasn't there to enjoy Gavin with her.

Mamaw was a strong and beautiful woman. She stood by Papaw's side over the years and was a devoted wife, great homemaker, loving mother and grandmother. She was so beautiful - her hair and make-up was always just so (a quality I wish I could pick up!). When we were over to visit, she made sure a good meal or snacks were available and her house was always tidy. She had many qualities that I find so admirable. The world has truly lost an amazing woman, but Heaven has gained a remarkable angel. I am comforted knowing that Gavin now has another guardian angel to watch over him. We love you, Mamaw!