Nana and Paw Paw in town....

This past Wednesday, Ellie came into town to visit and Gary's dad flew up on Sunday to join her. We had so much fun with NaNa and Paw Paw! The weather was amazing, so we were outside a lot! Ellie is very creative and fun. For example, she drew squares with every one's initials in it, and we all had to go stand in our squares. Gavin knew right away where his square was, and so did Jack. They drew many other beautiful drawings, like sailboats, fish, trees, and the sun. Gavin had fun showing us their pictures.

Ellie watched Gavin on Thursday and Friday while we were at work and then again over the weekend while Gary and I took a much needed mommy and daddy vacation. More to come on that! Gavin did great! He and NaNa had a great time!

Jack had the coolest square, by far!
Dada, Gavin and NaNa standing in their squaresNaNa, Gavin and Jack.

Gavin loves being in the kitchen and helping. On this particular occasion, he was helping Ellie and I make Sunday dinner. He was in charge of washing the potatoes and then putting them in the strainer. He is such a good helper! Anytime Ellie was in the kitchen, he was right there with her!

On Monday, Gary went to work, and I took NaNa and Paw Paw to the Arboretum. They boast the only pumpkin village in the world!! It was all very neat. There were pumpkins (and people) everywhere! There were even houses made of pumpkins. Gavin was mildly overstimulated by all the people at the pumpkin patch (as was I), so we moved through quickly and went to eat our picnic lunch in a quiet spot in the shade.

Gavin and Paw Paw inside one of the pumpkin houses.

The only good picture I got from the pumpkin patch. Gavin was mostly NOT interested in sitting on a bail of hay to take pictures.

On the way to our picnic spot. I took NaNa and Paw Paw through the Women's Garden. Of course, Gavin loved all the water!

Finally at our picnic spot. We found a shady spot to set up. The weather was amazing! For lunch we had Lox and bagels, chicken, cheese, crackers, grapes and water. Very yummy!

Gavin was sharing his lunch with the birds and then trying to catch them.

On Tuesday, Gary took off of work. We took NaNa and Paw Paw to one of our favorite breakfast places, "Einine's babels" (BKA Einstein Bagels). After breakfast, we went on a trip to get pumpkins! Gavin had so much fun running around the pumpkin patch. He climbed on the pumpkins, played in the hay and ran up and down a little "hill". After he was pretty tired out, I took him for a wagon ride around the patch. That was a blast!! We got four beautiful pumpkins and four smaller pumpkins that we decorated with stickers.

After Gavin's nap, we went to the State Fair of Texas!!! It was $3 Tuesdays, so it was packed! We walked around for a while and Gary and Paw Paw got a corny dog. Then, we found the petting zoo. This was by far the highlight of Gavin's trip! He was so excited to see the animals and they seemed just as excited to see him!! We continued to walk around the fair and saw a few other things. It was getting late, so we decided to leave.

NaNa got slimmed!!

True story: This giraffe was in the corner with his head down. I was disappointed because I wanted to get some good pictures of it, but I also wanted Gavin to be able to see a real giraffe. I didn't blame him for being off in the corner...there were A LOT of people around. All of a sudden, he turned around and started walking right towards us!!! Gavin's face lit up as he walked right over to him and Gary!! He stayed over by us for a few minutes and then went on about his business. That was one of the coolest things I've ever seen. That giraffe came over to say "hello" to Gavin and then turned around and walked away.

Visiting with Gary and Gavin. I know what you're thinking...it's because Gary has food. Everyone had food!

Gavin love this...thing. He even gave him a kiss.

He liked the goats, too, although they didn't get a kiss. It was so cute to hear him make the goat sound.

Ostriches are scary. Very frightening...and creepy.

Gavin loved the Llama.

Gavin getting a ride from Paw Paw on the way out of the Fair.

The Fair was fun, but we were all exhausted! When we turned down our street, we saw a firetruck in the parking lot of the school. Gary remembered that it was National Night Out, and that there would be a firetruck, cop car and bounce house there. So, we hopped out of the car thinking we would take Gavin to look at the firetruck, then go home. Well, the fireman (and lady) walked over and opened the door to let Gavin sit in the drivers seat. He had soooo much fun! He loved it! He got mildly freaked out when they turned the engine on, but other then that, he loved it!! He honked the horn and sounded the siren. Every time it was another kids turn, and he had to get out of the firetruck, he would say "MORE!" The firemen got a real kick out of him.

Gavin in the firetruck.

Then, the fireman let Gavin operate the house. We all know how much he loves water! He had a blast!!

To top it all off, we went and got some lemonade, cookies and Cheetos. There was a bounce house, but there were several big kids in the bounce house. Once they all left, Gavin and I got in and jumped around. He didn't quite know what to do, but he sure giggled!! Dada even got in the bounce house with us for a bit while NaNa and Jack watched.

I think, so far, this was Gavin's BEST DAY EVER!!! I look forward to trying to top it, but it won't be easy!