Gavin's 1st Birthday Party

What a lucky little boy! Today was as close to perfect as it can get. There were a few minor hiccups, but those are the moments that make memories. Here are just a few photos from the special day. Thanks to all who came and celebrated with us, we really loved having you all here!

Started the party at the pool. We drove over at 11:00 just as it started to pour down rain. People still came, and when the food arrived around noon the skies opened up and it ended up being a beautiful sunny day (there are sunburns to prove it).

A little rain didn't stop Gavin, he played so hard he had to leave the party to take a 3 hour nap before cake time!

What a fun party to decorate for. We had a baseball theme and were able to use a bunch of Jason's things from when he played; it made the day even more special and unique.

Gavin...spoiled? NO!

Giant baseball cupcake for the birthday boy and matching ones for the guests.

The great shish-kabob story! Our neighbors were going to be out of town so they offered for us to use their fridge for extra story. That was lifesaving because we ran out of room in our fridge early on Friday. We had been over several times on Saturday to put things in their fridge (using the garage keypad to let ourselves in as needed). When the pool party was over and it was time to start dinner we were LOCKED OUT! Jason was just about to crack - of course it never fails something has to go wrong. Why couldn't we have put the salad in their fridge? No, we put the main course over there. A full tray of kabobs and all the extras to make more. YIKES. We eventually got in and everyone had plenty to eat (we're still eating the leftovers a couple days later).

Why mess up a perfectly good cake when there pudding nearby. We made edible fingerpaints for the kids to play with and Gavin enjoyed that much more than the cake. Perhaps the giant baseball cupcake was too big for little Gavin. He sure loved that pudding though.

Grandpa & Grandma Hendricks framed the invite, it will go perfect in Gavin's big boy room.

We opened a few presents at the end of the evening, but left most of them for Sunday. It was a long day and we were all very tired.

Gavin's actual Birthday

Today I turned ONE! I've got my big boy pants on and my new Nike running shoes. I'm quickly learning the buttons on mommy's cell phone too. My big party is tomorrow, I can't wait!

Gavin

4th of July

Our neighborhood has a parade every 4th for families. We've never done it because it always seemed as though it was aimed more towards kids, decorating bikes, wagons, trikes, golf carts, etc. It has been a really big turnout in the past and lots of fun. So we were all excited to dress up Gavin in his red, white, and blue and take the matching wagon to the parade. He was waving his flag high and proud. We talked our neighbors into going too and they brought their wagon and the girls were all dressed up with cute red, white, and blue. We got to the start of the parade, and....no one! We were the only ones that showed up. Seriously there are usually 50+ people that participate in this thing. So here are the kids ready for a 'parade' and we are all standing around looking at each other. As you can see it didn't bother them, they just thought they were the stars of the parade.

Seattle Rock & Roll

What a great trip to Seattle! You never know what you're going to get in Seattle, rain, cold, cloudy - or if you go in June you could get warm, clear, and sunny...hot even! We had a fantastic trip, were able to get in lots of visits with family & friends. Oh yes, and the race - we (Jason, Barb, and David) ran in the 1/2 marathon and debuting in her first ever 1/2 marathon - BETSY! Yes she did it and we're so proud of her. Here are some pictures of our trip with more to follow.

Fantastic B&W of Gavin...courtesy of Sam.

Race Day photos also thanks to Sam, our own little paparazzi!

Grandma Beth

New obsession with pillows!

Grandpa Dave

Grandma & Grandpa Seaman

Chilling on the Link Light Rail! What a great way to transport from the airport.

Early morning stroll on the waterfront, we thought Gavin was loving the firetrucks at the fire station - then we realized he was laughing at himself...the reflection in the window.

Pikes Place Market - one of the coolest places in America!

Mt. Rainier from the airplane...what a beautiful day!

Lola - home of the delicious donuts! Thank you Jana for introducing us to one of our favorite Seattle breakfast restaurants!

Auntie Jana Banana, we've all missed you!!

Gavin showing off his walking skills with cousin Grant in the park.

1st Fathers Day

We started our Father's Day with a nice run 5 mile run around the neighborhood. Gavin snacked away on his Cheerios while we ran. He is so good in his stroller, didn't fuss once.

Seriously, is this a happy kid or what. He didn't let dad exactly sleep in on Father's Day (5:15 am wake up call), but we started out day out early so we could spend that much more time together.

A little time outside in the sun before it got too hot.

Future pitcher, catcher, or maybe outfielder like Daddy!

We finished the day with new recipe night, one of our favorites! Jason got a new cookbook for Father's Day and we chose a recipe out of there. We made BBQ Quesadilla's from a Curtis Stone cook book along with a delicious recipe we read about on Sam's Blog, Tortellini & Spinach salad. It was a wonderful day and we enjoyed spending time together!

Sad News **Important, please read**

The point of this post is to bring some awareness to the movement of no texting and driving. We rarely text and drive, but all too often are reading e-mails or distracted other ways by our cell phone. The Hendricks house is making a commitment to no longer read or type while in the the car (even if we're at a red light). We are taking it a step further and committing to no longer using our cell phones in the car unless we have the ability to speak hands free or pull over to make a call.

Remember the days before cell phones? I do, and I hear stories like the one below and I am reminded that my text, call, or e-mail isn't an emergency, and if I feel it is important enough to call or text at that moment, it is worth pulling off the road to address.

We hope you will join us in making a commitment to not text and drive, and please share your commitment and challenge others via your own blog, facebook, e-mail, etc.

This past weekend we were in San Diego visiting our dear friends the Mumfords who also happened to be there on vacation. They had a 15 year old neighbor boy dog sitting for them while they were away. The boy had taken Ellie, their dog out for a walk and a driver (grown adult) swerved off the road up on the curb because he was texting and driving. Luckily the 15 year old was not hit; he could have been hurt badly and possibly killed. Unfortunately Ellie was hit, and did not make it. We're sorry for the Mumford's and their loss. Ellie was a great dog and our family looks at her as a hero, she saved that 15 year old. This was a quiet neighborhood, slow speeds, well lit, and still someone texting and driving lost control of their car and endangered the lives of others.

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE do not text and drive; and if you can bare it - challenge yourself to use your cell phone while driving only for emergencies or purchase a hands free device for your car/phone.

Prescott Visit

We went to visit GG & GG Hendricks in Prescott, AZ over the holiday weekend. It was a wonderful trip as always. The weather was SUPER. Gavin did pretty good in the car, not perfect, but good for a 10 month old. We all went to lunch and then to the park to feed the ducks. The ducks weren't very interested in us, but we did get some great pictures. It is so beautiful in Prescott, a nice visit with family and a great day to escape the Gilbert heat.

4 generations of Hendricks; you might not be able to see Grandpa Steve in the picture - but he was there in spirit watching over his boys. Very special!

Gavin and Great Grandpa Hendricks

Great Grandma Joy and Great Grandpa Howard - lifting a very heavy baby boy :)