Matthew is 11 Years Old!

I cannot believe our oldest is eleven years old! It seems like just yesterday I was holding him in my arms, singing " Baby mine", and looking at him in disbelief. Matthew had an eventful birthday. On his birthday, we celebrated after school by opening presents and letting him choose what he wanted for dinner. He chose Subway. Matthew opened his gifts and was so excited to see that he got his own cell phone! We swore he wouldn't get one until middle school, but this kid is hard to find! He is always out playing with friends, and checks in when at a friends house (most of the time).

From the moment he got his phone, he hasn't put it down.He loves to text message his auntie and uncles. He likes to have "private" conversations with them. (although I can read his messages at any time I choose, since I am his parent).

Thursday, after school, Matthew had 4 friends spend the night. Having 5 Pre-teen boys, who like to shoot guns, and wrestle was a lot of fun, but a lot of work!They stayed up until 3:30AM (two boys never went to bed) and woke up at 6:30AM to play more video games! It was a long night for Trevor and I!

Later that Day we drove the boys to the bowling ally and a few more of his classmates came too! We celebrated his special day by renting out the back room and having a pizza and bowling party! It was a lot of fun, but completely chaotic. Who knew that nine 10/11 year olds had so much energy!

Maddison invited her little friend Karis to join her. It was cute to see the girls try and bowl. It was both their first time! I was able to visit with my Friend Elisheba, and she was a huge help to Trevor and I by keeping Maddie busy.

Matthew of course, was spoiled! He is so blessed to have so many family and friends who love him so much! His birthday was very memorable and special! Thank you to all!

Mason is 3 Months old!

On November 5th, Mason turned 3 months old. He Smiles, giggles, rolls onto his side, but can't quite make it onto his tummy yet. He LOVES to suck on his hands or anything he can get a hold of. His favorite place to be is either in someones arms or in his bouncy chair. It entertains him for awhile. Lately, we have caught him watching a show with Maddison. He too, gets distracted when watching Mickey Mouse Club House, or Little Einsteins.  He still is the easiest baby. Very chill, hardly cries, but is finding his voice, in our crazy house. He will let you know if he is not happy, but it is very rare.

Maddison still loves to smother him in kisses, and is extremely rough with him, but he tolerates it like a champ. One day we know he will bring her to the ground by pulling her hair. She loves him so much, but we are still working on her way of approaching him and kissing him softly.

 You can bet when a camera is around, Mason will show no emotion, it is hard to catch his awesome personality on film, but if taking pictures, Maddison will jump in there. She always wants to pose, so trying to get a shot of him by himself can be a little difficult. She likes to be the center of attention. They love each other, and I hope and pray they will grow up close.

Halloween

Halloween was a little chaotic at first. Maddison and I spent the day baking sugar cookies and decorating them. We also made Mummy hotdogs for dinner, but we were so full off "taste testing the cookies", we barely touched our food. Once I got everyone dressed, we took TONS of pictures.

This year our neighborhood grew! Many babies were born and we look forward to seeing all the kids grow up together. The kids were dressed up in their cute little costumes. Andrew 5 months was Sweet Pea from Popeye. Mason almost 3 months was a puppy and Kate- 6 weeks was a Lady Bug!

Mason was a puppy dog this year. He looked so precious in his costume, but he could not wear it long. It was very warm outside, and he was burning up in it.

Maddison was of course our little princess. She LOVES her princess dress! It amazes me how she already knows how to pose for pictures and hold out her dress, as well as lifts it up in the front when she is walking. She is very girlie and I LOVE IT!!! She tells everyone " I IS PRINCESS".

Matthew, was a character from Star Wars. He wanted to be a "bad guy" and carry his double light saber around that he built at Disneyland. We had to force him to come to 5 houses in our neighborhood to Trick or Treat. Then he was off with his buddy's. When he came home, he had TONS of candy, more than he has ever gotten before. He usually quits trick or treating after an hour at most.

After Trick-or-treating to very few houses, we set up a fire pit in the driveway, surrounded by chairs and had some neighbors come over. It was fun to sit around and chat while passing out candy. The kids loved going to 3 different bowls at one house to get candy. They would run away saying how much they got.

Trevor and I decided to dress up for a short bit too. I was a Queen and Trevor was a "Scary" man. Maddison was not a fan of his costume, so he took it off. Halloween was a lot of fun for everyone, we ate TOO much candy and have so much sitting in the house! Hopefully I can get rid of it soon, otherwise I will eat all of it, and then losing the baby weight would take longer!

Carving Pumpkins

The night before Halloween... we carved our pumpkins. Trevor and I were excited because this would be Maddison's first attempt to carve a pumpkin. As soon as Trevor cut the top off and showed her how to scoop it out, she put her hand in and was not happy. She cried, " I don't like it!" It was very comical to us, because we knew she would either love it or hate it. And she HATED it.

Matthew was such a Great BIG Brother and showed her how to put her hand in and it was OK to get dirty. It was so funny, because he hates it too. After two scoops, he quit. When I asked him, if he wanted to carve his pumpkin, he said, "no, you can do it!" (From the mouth of a pre-teen)

So, Trevor, being such a great Dad, took out all the stuff in the pumpkins... And we asked Matt what he wanted on his pumpkin. Our outside is decorated with some pirate stuff so we decided to stick with that theme. I carved a skull and bones, while Trevor carved a skull. His turned out a lot better than mine. Matthew decided he was going to claim the one Trevor did as his own.

Once the kids went to bed, Trevor and I stayed up carving pumpkins. It was nice to have some quiet time, and it felt like we were kids again. Usually, we just carve a Jack-O-Lantern, but since the kids had no interest, we took pride in our pumpkins.

I can stencil , and carve, while holding a baby!

  

 Since, we went to Disneyland just a week ago, we thought Maddison would love to have a Mickey Mouse pumpkin. We searched on line for a template, but unfortunately they don't have a small template, for small pumpkins. So, I looked at a picture, and did my best. I think it came out pretty well! I think she will like it...

Wedding Fun!

3 Generations

Trevor's cousin Michael was getting married, so the entire Gillis clan was there.(Trevor's Mom side of the family) The kids also got to spend some much needed time with their Aunt TT (Tiffany). She flew in from Idaho.Mason was finally able to meet her! Of course he was all smiles. Maddison was at first a little hesitant to give hugs, but by the end of the weekend, she wouldn't leave her TT's side. Everywhere her auntie went, Maddison wanted to follow.

Before the wedding, Trevor's Aunt Paula treated the girls to a massage at the Ayres Hotel and Spa! I am so Grateful!!! It was definitely needed! I was incredibly relaxed, and the kids got to go to the pool with their Dad. Matthew was glad that I was "in a better mood", when I came back. I have been grouchy lately according to him. I guess the massage helped relieve the stress of staying at home with 3 kids! PAULA THANK YOU!!! 

 We then got all dolled up! Maddison of course decided it was nap time as soon as she was dressed, so we prayed she would be in a good mood once we arrived at the wedding. It took her a little while to wake up, but when she did, she became the life of the party!

The wedding took place at the Coto de Caza country Club. Some are familiar that this is the place the real housewives of orange county hang out at. It had an amazing view! There were gigantic homes, aka mansions surrounding the area... but besides the beautiful place, we were fortunate to spend time with family as well. Paige, the bride, looked absolutely stunning! The ceremony was short and sweet, and I definitely shed a tear while they were saying their vows. It is so hard not to cry, when the bride and groom are crying!

Once the ceremony was over, it was time to eat delicious food and cut loose on the dance floor. Maddison loved to shake her booty. Everyone couldn't stop watching her. She was constantly trying to dance with the bride and groom.She also was obsessed with dancing with her Aunt TT.

As the night progressed, the kids played in the photo booth area, and that is when Maddison met her new little friend, Landon. He was three and they were inseparable. His mother stated, he was available, but after he finished his PH.D. Trevor said she wouldn't have it any other way. Landon kept calling Maddison his girlfriend. It was so funny, but when Matthew couldn't see his sister anymore, because those two were roaming around the room holding hands, he got very protective and went and found her and brought her back to our table.(very protective big brother)

 Watching them dance and play all night was so cute. We had a great time, and are so grateful, we were able to see the family! Hopefully we won't have to wait another 2 years to see them all again!



Jason the Best Man (cousin)





Michael the groom



Grandma Gillis with her children
Cathy, Paula, Carole, Chris and Dennis