Third annual Christmas tree hunt

This last week was quite fun. Thanksgiving was different this year but still fun. The night before Thanksgiving we had a small family meal with ham for Tim and then on Thanksgiving we were invited by a friend to go with her and enjoyed time getting to know some new people. Friday I got out the Christmas decorations and Gideon helped me go through all the lights. We had fun :)

On Saturday we went Christmas tree hunting with our friends, Jim, Elise, and Emmett. Luckily we found some snow although much of it had melted. Elise and I decided that the guys wanted to climb the steepest hills but we did find a tree and it is always fun. The boys went sledding after we found the trees. I think by the end they were getting tired but they still loved the sled. Tim loves sending Gideon down any hill and Gideon is a willing participate. I need to learn to not look sometimes.

Jim and Emmett

Gideon and I

Tim cutting the tree

The new sledders, love the snowsuit, Emmett!

Elise pulling the boys

A very tired toddler

Quite happy to be in the snow

The dogs were able to come with us also. They love to hop and bound through the woods and snow and we love how tired they are when we get home.

Topper

Abbie

The tired result

Jim took two of my favorite pictures. I love these!

Our family minus two dogs

Gideon loved this!

You may or may not have noticed Gideon's new hat in the previous pictures. He had to wear his snow coat in the snow but when we go out he wears the matching coat. It also comes with pants but they are too big right now. I sure love this winter wear on him. He looks adorable and people tell me that all the time in the store.

Gideon is also wanting to stand and practice balance and walking most of the time now. He loves it. He can walk behind Emmett's bike and he thinks he is hot stuff. I love these overalls that he now fits into.

Today we received our new carseat. Gideon was asleep when it came but then we had to run an errand and he was a bit surprised and confused when I put him in the car. So far it works great!

I am also in the process of getting certified with Idaho Health and Welfare so that I can watch a little girl soon. I have to be certified because it is through ICCP that I will be paid otherwise I would not go through all this. Babysitting a new born should be interesting but I am excited. I don't dream of babysitting forever but we are needing to get ahead with finances and I don't feel ready to jump into photography until I take a class or two. So for now I am knee deep in paperwork, sifting through health inspection stuff, and wishing the state would realize that some people are not stupid.

10 months old!

Is it possible that Gideon is already 10 months old?!? Wow, kids grow but so fast. He is really good at pulling himself up to standing and cruising around; he is also quite proud of this ability. He is a fast crawler, making around the house in no time. He is into whatever he can get his hands on but is also learning to not touch what he isn't supposed to, in fact, he is also pretty good at avoiding the stairs. He is still in love with Topper and Abbie and the bond is getting stronger. The dogs are like a magnet and just draw him in. I can tell when he found a dog because of his little laugh/shriek. Tonight Topper found a way to play with him-Topper would get the tennis ball and bring it to Gideon, who would laugh at him, then Topper would drop the ball, Gideon picks it up, and then tries to put the ball in Topper's mouth. Topper gives in and lets him and then takes the ball from Gideon while Gideon starts laughing so hard he can't hang onto the ball anyway.

In the early afternoons we have been taking the dogs for a walk around the neighborhood. But since it is getting cold we have to bundle up and usually we go when it is sunny so the sunglasses come out. Gideon wanted to post a picture of his coolness factor. It is also apparently funny to watch the dogs run down the canal and then back to the stroller.

Everything is a car these days too. Evidence below. Gideon pushes around the dog bowls and vrooms all the time. He also has pushed the book basket, a little shelf, and several other things. At Bible study, he started pushing Emmett's bike around all by himself, standing up.

He also has one new top tooth and one on the way. :)

how to lose your pants in style

I was folding laundry in our room and Gideon was just playing away. I left for a minute to do something and came back to the little man with his pants half down. I ran and got the camera and snapped a picture. Then I pulled the pants back up but shortly after they were sagging again. Here is how to lose your pants in style:

We are doing good here, just super cute.

Making their way south...slowly

Opps! Is this what onesies are for?

Oh for the love of the drain...

Gideon loves to shower with us and play in the tub after. He also has a fastination with the drain and found the water outlet.

Tractor Fun!

The other day while I was cooking dinner, Gideon grabbed his toy tractor and for a good 20 minutes or more drove it all over the house. It is the longest he has been interested in a toy for a solid bit of time. It was so cute to watch him though and he enjoyed himself, even completed the picture by vroooommmm-ing too. At the very end he saw me talking pictures and just had to hurry over to check out the camera.

In the kitchen...

...to the dining room...

...and on to the living room

Oh look, mom with a camera, check it out!

Reading Fun!

This just makes my day. I love that Gideon will pick out books to read and I love watching Tim read to him. This is one of his favorites to read with Dad because Dad makes great animal sounds. :)

A boy and his dogs...

Perhaps around instead of over would be easier but not nearly as much fun :)