Happy 5th Birthday Gavin!

Gavin turned 5 years old last week! Time zooms by, doesn't it? We celebrated this year with just a family party at home. Jeremy barbecued burgers and hot dogs and I made the cake. It was very mellow and Gavin had so much fun. The next night we took his best bud Ashton to Chuck E. Cheese. I would post pics but my camera died. Well, actually it said quote "camera exhausted." Isnt that a bit dramatic for a camera? Anyhow, Chuck E Cheese on a Monday night with just one friend is the way to go. Fun, but not crazy. Thanks to all the family and friends who remembered his special day!

Making Cookies

Derek loves to be in the kitchen. It seems like the only time I can get him to follow directions so we've been spending a lot of time in there! (I'm kidding about that... kind of). Here we are making reindeer cookies. The boys ate half the m&m's instead of making Rudolph's nose, but they had fun.

BTW: nutter butters, red m&m's for the nose, chocolate chips for the eyes, pretzels for the antlers and icing as the glue (I know you were squinting trying to see them)!

Benjamin

So many of you have asked for pics of Dino and Terri's new babe so here he is. And yes his eyes are blue for those of you wondering if he too inherited the Portillo eyes..... apparently my 2 boys are the only babies in the history of the family who don't have 'em! Grrrr...

Isn't he beautiful?

Disneyland

My friends the Cassidy's are so wonderful. They invited us for a day at Disneyland and we didn't have to pay a nickel...... do you know how fun that place is when you haven't invested $300 dollars into your day? We had a ball and the place was pretty empty. We went on 18 rides (that's incredible) and I only counted Buzz Lightyear once when we actually went on it 3 times! The only things we waited for were Autopia and the new Toy Story ride at California Adventure (my new fave ride, btw). The kiddos were close to perfect and the weather was lovely. Couldn't have asked for a better day!

Maui

Kaanapali sunset

Kimo's in Lahaina

view from our hotel

What a wonderful week Jeremy and I had in Maui. I would love to sit here and write about all of the exciting things we did and sights we saw, but I would be lying. We didn't do much at all but relax and enjoy the breathtaking views. It was truly one of the best vacations ever. I have been lucky enough to visit Hawaii multiple times and I never tire of the place. In fact it probably makes me love it more. Many thanks to all the relatives who pitched in with babysitting/driving/entertaining of our children, etc. And of course thanks to my two new nephews who made sure they entered the world before we left... thanks for simplifying matters. Auntie is forever grateful. :)

Benjamin Dean

Jeremy's brother Dino & his wife Terri welcomed baby Ben on Dino's birthday, November 4. He weighed 7 lbs even. I don't have any pics yet, but he is super adorable and has tons of black hair! Two new nephews in 1 week.... what a blessing!

Joshua Timothy

Welcome to the world my beautiful nephew!