This Just Happened!

My Maggie started Elementary School this past Wednesday.  I was a bit sad - not in tears, but just sad that it all went so fast.  I am also so excited for her.  She is awesome, and I know she will love being a "big kid!"  

Elementary School is a completely different animal than Preschool.  I have no control over her environment.  I can't walk her to class.  Matt drops her off, I pick her up, and in between, I think about her and pray for her constantly.  She has loved it so far!

So, here's to a new chapter and all of the fun new adventures it brings!  We are so proud of you, Maggie, and we love you so very much!

Half of a Year

I am six months old!  Here are some fun facts about me:

1. I weigh a lot (21 lbs. and 9 oz.), and I am in the 97th percentile for weight!  I am in the 75th percentile for height, and my head is big, too (because of all of my brains)!  The doctor said, "he is just a big boy all around."  When my mommy is holding me, people always comment on how big I am and how small she is.  But, what they don't know is that my mommy was a huge baby, too - at least in the weight department.

2. I love to roll over and over and over!  I have started to sit up on my own for short periods of time!

  3.  I am really affectionate.  When someone picks me up, I get so excited that I smile and give them a big squeeze.  I love to reach for and grab the face of whoever is rocking me, and I give out slobbery, open-mouthed kisses freely.  My mommy says it is fitting that I am so cuddly and loving because my name, Oliver, means affectionate.

4.  I am still a really good sleeper.  I typically sleep from 7:30 or 8 pm until 7:00 or 7:30 am.  My sleep has been a little bit off recently because I am working on cutting my first two teeth!

Aren't they so adorable?!!

5.  I am such a sweet baby.  I am steady and even most of the time - just like my Daddy.  My Mommy is completely in love with me, and she has to pray daily not to ruin me.  I think it is so funny that I have her so wrapped.

6.  I am still crazy about my big sisters!  They are so sweet to me.  They read me books and show me toys while my Mommy gets ready in the morning.  

Well, that's all for now.  I will let you know more as I get bigger. 

Love, Oliver

Birthday Trip!

Almost exactly between the girls' birthdays, Mimi and I took them to the American Girl store.  This is not your "Average Joe" Store, mind you.  There is a bistro, hair salon, and more dolls, clothes, accessories, and doll furniture than you could ever imagine.  We definitely spent more money than we would have if we had given the girls' parties, but it was a wonderful experience.  The girls (and their dolls) had a ball!!  

The girls riding in the balloon with Saige!

Who doesn't love cookies snuggled in bed with your AG doll and Mimi?!!

Ready to "take on" the AG Store!

Looking through the ballerina box of clothes and accessories.

At first, Kerri Grace was a little bit overwhelmed by the awesomeness.

Hair Salon!!!

Maggie picked out a hair extension for Alexis.

Kerri Grace picked the fish tail braid for her doll, Molly.

All "dolled" up (no pun intended) for lunch!

Lunch Time!

Molly and Alexis enjoying their lunch.

Kerri Grace loved feeding her doll!

Maggie read the conversation cards and enjoyed her yummy dessert!

We topped off the trip by riding the carousel on our way out!

Happy Birthday to Both of My Amazing, Sweet, and Beautiful Daughters!

They Said It Couldn't Be Done!

Literally spending all summer at either the beach, the lake, or the pool, that is.  We gave it a really good try, and came just about as close as anyone can come!  Not a single Gaymon child or Mommy got burnt...so I guess you can figure out the one in our family that kept his fabulous farmers' burn/tan in peak form.  Ha! Ha!  I love my man!

We went to Litchfield with my entire family.  We had a great time, and didn't let the exhaustion (from having five kiddos there) slow us down! =)

Quality time on the beach!

Pool time with Daddy!

Eat. Him. Up.

Eliza, Maggie, Gresham, Kerri Grace, Oliver

Arts and Crafts on the Porch.

These three about to impress the Grand Strand with their mad biking skills.

The most beautiful mermaids the beach has ever seen!

We took the girls to see Despicable Me 2.  They loved it!

What's the beach without a family photo shoot?!!

What's the beach without two family photo shoots?!!

We spent a couple of weekends at the lake.  The first was with my family, and it was so fun to see cousins that I haven't seen in a while!

Sisters on the tube!

The Wootens take a spin!

Mother/Daughter time

These distant cousins were instant friends!

My cousin and his sweet kiddos!  Love them!

Brown Cousins

Kerri Grace getting some lovin' from her brother!

The boat ride wore this sweet boy out.

The second weekend at the lake was with our other family, our Community Group.  It was awesome!!  

Bradley and Mac floating.

Relaxin'

My girls and me...about to take a boat ride!

TR rescued a friendly turtle, and took it on a jet ski ride! Ha!

The wind blown look suits Mac and his Mommy well.

Maylie and her Mommy not worried about a thing.

Three bathing beauties

One...Two...Three...

So, there you have it!  The last few weeks of our summer were a blur of good' ol' wholesome fun in the sun!

Happy Birthday Kerri Grace!

Well, Kerri Grace, you woke up this morning and your pajama shirt was too short. Proof that you're now all-the-way 4-years-old. Somehow you keep growing and growing - funnier, sweeter, smarter and prettier than ever. We're so proud of you, and thankful for the joy and laughter you bring every day. Can't wait to see what you'll do and say next. Always framember (that's Kerri Grace speak for "remember") that we love you. Even more than Eugene loves Frapunzel. I'm not even fratending. It's the truth, and always will be. Happy happy happy birthday!

                                                  Love,

                                                  Daddy

The Cute Things They Say and Do!

I have been meaning to document some of the adorable things that the kiddos have said and done recently, but other things have taken priority over that post.  Not today.  I really want to have it written down so that I can look back when I am feeling particularly nostalgic. =)

• When Oliver was just a few weeks old, Maggie was laying on the floor beside him and chatting with him.  She did (and does) that all the time.  I overheard her say the cutest unintentional compliment to our family.  She said (in her high-pitched baby voice), "Oliver, you are going to LOVE living in this house with this family!"  I think I literally felt my heart swell to ten times it's normal size.  I am so thankful that she loves living in this house with this family.

• About a month ago, Kerri Grace told me a lie.  So, I sat her down and we talked about what it is to tell the truth verses lying.  We talked about how Jesus tells us in the Bible that we should not lie and that we should obey our parents.  We also talked about how Jesus loves us even though we do things that are sinful.  Kerri Grace asked, "Mommy do you love me when I lie?"  My response was, " I love you when you lie.  You could never do or not do anything that would make me not love you."  Kerri Grace thought for a moment, and said, "Mommy, I love you when I lie, too."  So funny!    

• Recently, Oliver has gotten even more social and affectionate with his family.  Well, we aren't the only ones.  Last Sunday, I went to check on Oliver in the nursery. (We worship first service and serve second, so it makes for a really long Sunday morning in the nursery.)  He had the sweet lady's face cupped in his hands and was giving her the most slobbery kisses known to man!  Cute, cute!  By the way, I told her that she didn't have to let him do that, but she assured me that she loved it.  

Here are a few of the everyday clever, creative, and silly things that they have done...

We met Eliza and Taylor at the splash pad for a little bit of cool entertainment.

The girls put on a Rock Concert for Oliver and me!  I have to say that many of the songs sounded similar to Barbie rock songs.

Daddy had a little pajama wrestling match with the girls (and Oliver)!