Happy Birthday Gav!

Gavin turned 4 yesterday. I can't believe it's been 4 years since he was born. He is such a wonderful kid and we enjoy him and the opportunity we have to teach him about life. He learns quickly and always amazes us with the things he says.

The other day I asked him to do something for me and said it would only take 10 seconds. He counted to 10 really fast, too fast, so I told him to count like: 1 Mississippi, 2 Mississippi, 3 Mississippi, etc. So this time he said, "1 Utah, 2 Utah, 3 Utah..."

Around Halloween time he was watching a Charlie Brown Halloween cartoon and he had a confused look on his face. I asked him what he was thinking and he said, "So do they have moms and dads, or what?"

Gavin enjoys helping with chores around the house. He likes helping me do laundry, unload the dishwasher & cook meals. He can often be heard saying, "Can I help you mama?"

He has had a rather difficult time adjusting to having a baby sister. I hope he grows out of it soon! Especially since now that he's 4 his time-outs are 4 minutes long instead of 3. I can tell he loves his sister though, because when she gets hurt he gets really sad. At least we know he cares! ;)

He loves watching videos and playing computer games, so we have to be very careful how much we let him do those things or it could go on all day! (I had to set a limit of 2 videos in the morning and if he takes a nap or has quiet time then he can watch 2 more in the afternoon. The same goes for the computer, with 30 minute increments.)

At his Joy School last week they wrote down some of his favorite things and it said his favorite thing to do is, "watch videos & play the computer all day." I hope his teacher doesn't really think that's all he does!

When he's bored he loves to pester/tease Gracie and I have to admit it's so nice when he can be occupied with the computer or tv because then he isn't tormenting his little sister. Oh boy! I've got my work cut out for me. One cute book I received as a gift when I was pregnant with Gavin is called, "Love Adds the Chocolate." One line in there says, "Love cares enough to say no & take the guff that comes with it." The picture shows a mom shutting off the tv & handing her son a book. Love it!!! Tough love is just that sometimes, tough, but I know it's the best way :)

We love you Gavin! Happy #4

Oh September (a.k.a. 5 posts rolled into one)

Over Labor Day Weekend we had a celebration & called it our "Gracie's Blessing/New House Open House/Labor Day Celebration!" So creative, I know ;) Ha ha
It was a wonderful weekend with our families. We went to the beach, had Gracie's blessing & dinner & went to Bloomington Lake to name a few. Thanks to all who came and helped out. Here are some pics of the things we did...

Gracie & Grandma GG. Beach bums...

Brent gave Gracie a wonderful blessing. Here she is in the beautiful dress. (Thanks Aunt Ronda & Cousin Reagan!)

We are family...

Pig Roastin' Time!

My cousin Brodee & Uncle Travis roasted a pig in the ground for Gracie's blessing dinner. The night before we (me, Brent, my mom, Brian & Jaimee) stayed up and watched them work their magic! It was quite the process; interesting and awesome! At one point the fire marshal stopped by! Fun memories made for sure.

Burying the pig...

The next day, digging up the pig...

On Labor Day we headed up to Bloomington Lake. It was fun to eat lunch, hike & swing on the rope swing together.

Our little family at Bloomington Lake...

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GAVIN

Gavin started Joy School two days a week and loves it… mostly. Once in a while we have those days when he says he doesn’t want to go, but by the time I pick him up he doesn’t want to come home.

Love this face...

Horsey rides. Thanks Uncle Brian!

Gavin & Spencer...

Gav, "Oh man, I just love you my cousin!" Spence, "Whatever Dude".

Brent told me to look outside and find Gavin & this is what I saw...

What's that quote? I think it goes: "Boys don't get older. Their toys just get bigger and more expensive."

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Where Did the Baby Go?

Our baby girl is 6 months old. What!?! She is our little stinker and we sure love her. Here are the stats from her 6 month check-up...

Weight: 15 lbs 10.5 oz = 50%tile
Height: 25 3/4 in = 55%tile
Head Measurement = 75%tile

Some things I want to remember about Gracie at this age:

- is SO close to crawling and I'm trying to hold her back as long as I can! She scoots and rolls all over the place so I know it won't be long :(
- If we are all talking she squeals and wants to join in our conversation
- loves her daddy! I know this by how excited she gets when he enters the room
- doing well eating solid food (but surprisingly likes the veggies more than the fruit! This can't be my child!)
- loves music & bounces along to the beat
- enjoys being outside. Sometimes it's the only thing that will calm her down.

Brian & Jaimee let us use this jumper thing for Gracie & she loves it!

Check out the video at the very end of this post. It's of her jumping in it like she does with her head a boppin' and a huge grin! So dang cute!

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"Please Keep Your Arms & Legs Inside the Ride at All Times"

We've been bribing Gavin for a while now that if he eats his food maybe he'll be big enough to ride some rides at Lagoon. We also said if he was good and did what we asked him we would take him there. So we made good on our promise.

Gracie enjoying the view of Lagoon from her seat...

My boys fresh off the Rock-O-Plane, Gavin's first ride at Lagoon!

Gavin & Grandma Joni...

Oh ride attendant, you had to go and put him in a Ford!?!

Gavin checking us out from the Sky Ride...

My cute Gavin...

The kiddos & I on the ferris wheel. Check out Gracie's chunky monkey legs! Love it! (Yes, I'm wearing a turtle neck. It's a lot colder in Bear Lake... I'm all prepared for Fall!)

Brent & Gavin coming off the Hydro Luge...

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The New House...

Brent has been working hard getting the yard done. The skid-steer has come in handy lately! He got all of our trees planted, the gravel parking area done & the sod is almost all in. Hooray! I feel very spoiled.

This is a picture Brent was taking to show the yard before he did the gravel & sod out front, so it's not the best of the house but it gives you a good idea...

My hot husband laying sod...

The house all lit up at night...

Miss Gracie's 4 month stats...

Here are the stats from Gracie's 4 month check-up...

Weight: 14 lbs. 4 1/2 oz. - 70%tile

Height: 24 1/2 inches - 55%tile

Head Measurement: 16 1/4 inches - 70%tile

She is such a joy to have in our home. Tonight as I was holding her Gavin was blowing raspberries on her belly and she would squeal and laugh and she had us all laughing so hard! Then she got louder and happier and we couldn't stop laughing! I haven't had a good belly laugh like that for a long time and it was so fun! It was one of those moments I wish I could have caught on video but I was laughing too hard and trying to hold her up cause she was bouncing around like crazy. I love it! Too fun.

Here are some of the fun things she has been doing the past little while...

• Rolling from stomach to back and back to stomach
• Scooting forward when she's on her stomach
• Grabbing anything you put in front of her (and it always goes straight to her mouth)
  
• Turning to look at you when you say her name
• Loves being outside
• Smiles at anyone that talks to her
• Gets shy when people talk to her and puts her head down (but with a big grin on her face)
• Loves her big brother! No matter how much he pesters her she always has a smile and giggles for him

A few weeks ago we were at Brent's parents house for Sunday dinner. We were all visiting in the front room with Brent's sister Susan and her husband Clint that live in Colorado. I had to keep leaving the room cause Gavin got sick and was throwing up :( poor little guy. One time I left her on her back to play and when I came back everyone said, "she rolled over to her stomach!". It was the first time and I missed it. Then Gavin started throwing up again so I left to help him and when I came back this time they said, "she scooted forward!" I didn't believe them at first but she really had! I said I wasn't going to leave anymore or she'd be walking next time. Little stinker.

We are so grateful for this vivacious little spirit in our lives. She can squawk and squeal with the best of them! If you're ever at church in Bear Lake and you hear a really loud baby that makes you jump when she makes noise, it's probably her! We love you Gracie.

House Up-Date

Now that our house is almost done I am finally posting about it again! The above picture was taken back in June. We just got the carpet installed today, so it's getting close! I am so proud of Brent and all of his hard work. Not only has he been building our house but then once summer came along he's had to get our boat and watercraft rental business up and running for the season. One of my favorite parts about this house is the dormer windows. I love them! Brent didn't know how to build them and it was a pain in his bum but he figured it out and did it! We are getting excited to move in pretty soon!

It Gets Better!

If that wasn't cool enough, (see previous post) then check this out! Our sister-in-law Deb was also expecting at that same time. She was due March 6th (the same day as Jaimee).

Here is Baby Margaret

(Daughter of Greg & Deborah)

Born March 2nd

We were able to get together in July while Greg & Deb were here visiting. Here are some pics of the batch of babies in this family, all born within 1 month of each other...

From left to right, youngest to oldest:
Zaxton (3/18/10), Margaret (3/2/10), Gracie (3/1/10) & James (2/23/10)

So the Hirschi girls, Gracie & Margaret, were born 1 day apart! When we got them together we were amazed at their similarities. They sound so much alike when they cry, coo, grunt, sqeak, etc! It is so fun that Gracie has a cousin so close to her age. And Margaret is a doll! She is so smiley and happy!

Coincidence?

Rewind... back to October of 2008. We went on a Disney Cruise with a bunch of Brent's family. One of the ports was Cozumel, Mexico. While there we went to the Mayan Ruins and had a guide give us a tour of the place. One of the attractions: "The Fertility Altar". So we thought we'd be funny and pose up there. Here's (left to right) Jaimee, Randi (me) and Ginger.

Thinking we're so funny!

And here we are a little over a year later, November of 2009. Jaimee: due march 6th, Randi: Due March 8th and Ginger: due March 26th.

Introducing... the bebe's (they arrived in the order we stood on the altar, no lie).

Baby James
(Son of Brian & Jaimee)
Born February 23rd

Baby Gracie
(daughter of Brent & Randi)
Born March 1st

Baby Zaxton
(son of Chuck & Ginger)
Born March 18th

I don't know about you folks, but I think those Mayans may have something there!

We sure missed Deb on this trip, but as you can see in the next post (above) our "fertility" must have been overflowing and carried over to her! Ha ha!

The Kiddos...

Gracie's 2 month stats:

weight: 12 lbs. 1/2 oz. = 90th percentile
height: 23 inches = 75th percentile
(she's a little chunker!!!)

Top left: Gavin cheesin' it!

Top right: Gracie & Gavin smiling for the camera

Bottom left & right: Gracie & her cousin James (born 6 days apart)

Top left: Gavin at the "Wedding of the Rails" ceremony in Promontory, Utah
Top right: Gavin riding the train with Grandma Joni!
Bottom left & right: Gavin & Grandpa Ron checking out the big rig!

Gavin & his cousin Zailey holding their babies, kissing their babies & being monkeys!
(Baby Zaxton was born two weeks and three days after Gracie)

Poor Gracie... Gavin doesn't quite get it when we say "be soft" or "be gentle". Well actually, I know he gets it... he just doesn't care! He is CONSTANTLY touching, squeezing & rubbing her face. Someday I'm sure she'll pay him back for all of this torture!

And now some videos of Gavin & baby Gracie being super cute...

Sneak Peak!

Here are some newborn pics of little miss Gracie at 2 weeks old.

These pictures were taken by Katie Minnick (www.milkweedphotography.com)

Our little Gracie is 5 weeks old already! The time has gone by fast. She is smiling quite a bit now and getting rather spoiled! We already have a nickname for her... we call her "squeaker" because she's always making the cutest little squeaking noises.
Gavin sure is proud of his little sister. We were out with her the other day so she was in her car seat & Gavin kept lifting up the cover and saying to people, "do you want to see my baby?" He does tend to maul her sometimes though, so we have to keep an eye on him! ;)