It's been awhile!

Weather is changing, I turned another year older, and we have had COMPANY!!!!! First, my best friend Crystal came and spent a week with us. She reminded me it has been almost two years since we have seen each other - way too long in my opinion.

Crystal and I at Young's Dairy eating lunch.

So while Crystal was here we shopped, shopped, and shopped some more. We went to The Greene, Dorothy Lane Market (DLM)-Crystal is a true foodie, the outlet mall in Jeffersonsville, and she helped me pick out a Halloween costume for Gabe. We laughed, cried, caught up, and I just loved every minute of her being here. We are the type of friends that no matter where we are in life or how long time has passed since we last spoke, we ALWAYS know we will be there for one another! Plus, we have such a closeness with each others parents, that I truly don't think we could ever not be friends. I value, love, and respect her parents as if they were my own parents.

One of the highlights of this visit was that Gabe finally met his Aunt Crystal!!!! Watching Crystal and Gabe interact with one another melted my heart. I miss her dearly and can't wait till she becomes a mom-what an AMAZING mom she is going to be!

After Crystal left (Nate took her to the airport which I was glad because that gave me a chance to cry and not in front of Crystal) I had two days to get ready for Nathan's visitor-his DAD!

Dene came and I tried very hard to have Gabe say Papa but he hasn't gotten to the "p" part of the alphabet yet :) Dene stayed for two days and really hope he will come back for a longer visit ;) Ms. Teresa couldn't make the trip and I was bummed because I wanted to get to know her better, but I know we will keep in touch through email.

So, the 1st day Dene was here it was rainy and didn't really know what to do. We went to lunch at China Cottage-which I must say that now I am not pregnant, this place has some GREAT Chinese food! We also took Dene to DLM-what can I say, Nathan and I LOVE this place. After DLM, the guys dropped Gabe and I off at the house for Gabe's nap. Nate then showed his dad around base, the hospital, and took him to the Air Force Museum for the Presidental Hanger.

Saturday came and we had a fun filled day!! We went to Clifton Mills for breakfast and then hiked at Clifton Gorge The rain disappeared, Mr. Sun came out, and it was an AMAZING day!! Our friends Shelly and Brandon came along and they really enjoyed the day as well.

Family photo in front of a waterfall.

Hiking along the trails and listening to the water, made me realize how wonderful God is!! To create something so peaceful and beautiful is just awe inspiring. I know Nate and I plan to continue to hike there. I really would like to go the day after our first true snowfall - I can only imagine what a sight that will be.

The entire time we were hiking, Gabe was smiling, laughing, and talking to nature. He is truly a happy baby (almost a toddler-sniff sniff) and loves being in the back pack carrier. When I noticed how quiet he had become I was kind of worried. This is what I found -

I turned 28 today and everyday I thank the Lord for blessing me with wonderful friends and family!!!

Giggles, Squeals, and Nothing but a GOOD time!!

Gabe truly thinks his daddy is the funniest person. Enjoy!

Labor Day Weekend

So this past weekend was Labor Day weekend and Nathan had 4 days off!!! So me being Nathan's social calendar I packed those 4 days with some great things. Our friend Jennifer (whom is married to Denny and plays a mean guitar in the AF Band) told us about a Sunflower Field. So we went on Thursday and it was AMAZING!!!!! Of course I brought my camera and got some really great shots.

My favorite picture of the day actually came from when Nathan took over. It is usually me behind the camera because I feel more comfortable there and love to play around with the Nikon D60. So here is my favorite picture of the day...and no it is not because it's of me LOL.

That night I had a much needed Girls Night Out - which really was night in since I had everyone over. Gabe was a trooper and flirted till his bedtime. Nathan and Brandon went to the Bengals vs. Colts game down in Cincy. For those of you who don't know for pro-football Nathan is a Colts fan. He even shushes me when Manning comes on the Direct Tv commercials!! RUDE - hahaha

Then Friday we were treated to an authenitc Indian dinner at Sabby, Lina, and Elena (their daughter) house. We had Beef Curry, some kind of bread (yummo!!!), a chick pea dish -that I actually liked, and long grain rice. It was so fantasically good and I can't wait till they decide to invite us over again! Sabby (Sebastian for full name) is orginally from India and I have much to learn!

Saturday was ANOTHER great day! We spent the whole day with Brandon and Shelly. They took us to a Indian Restuarant and it was good. I really like that I have found some place to eat Indian food because I don't think Lina and Sabby would appreciate me knocking on their door everytime I have a craving ;)

After lunch we took Brandon to DLM (Dorothy Lane Market) and boy did I spend some money. I just love this store and will come up with items that I "must" have just to go to DLM. We also found out that the best day to go to DLM is on Saturday because of the FREE samples!! Nate said that grandpa Bradley would love it and when (hint hint) they come, we will take grandpa.

That night we BBQ and then watched the new Halloween movie. It was okay but I totally prefer the original Halloween movies. Probably because I have so many memories of my brother and all his buddies staying the night Friday nights and all they wanted to watch was Halloween!

Finally we made it to Sunday. A day of rest, FOOTBALL, and the ICU BBQ. It was nice to catch up with the ICU people who could make it because Nathan has been working down in the ER and I have been out of the loop. Babies were born, marriages took place, and some returned safe and sound from deployment.

All in all.....it was a wonderful Labor Day weekend. It sure was better than last year! Last year we had been in Ohio for a month. Nathan was working, I was pregnant, and Bailee....who knows LOL. All we needed this year was some family but here in Ohio...we are making our Military Family and what a great family they ALL are turning out!!

This was also the weekend for kickoff of College Football BABY!!!! MSU won and I think Gabe just might be their good luck charm....of course, their new coach might have something to do with the win as well.

Stairway to Heaven - Or at least to the upstairs of our house.

So our Little Monkey has finally found the stairs. He has always been content in watching either Nathan or I walking up and down the stairs but I guess this was the day he wanted to try for himself. He is almost 9 months old and is truly a mover and a shaker. He has mastered crawling (hands and knees) but he still prefers the "army" crawl - he actually moves around quicker with the "army" crawl.

As you watch the video please excuse the wobbles and blurs. It was just a couple of weeks ago that a light bulb went off in my head and I realized that both my Nikon and Sony cameras have video capability! So I have been using my Sony as the video recorder and my Nikon for pictures.

Now I am off to go to bed with tomorrow being another adventure waiting to begin with Gabe!!

Pizza Pizza!!!!

Tonight we had our friends the Yingling family over for Make Your Own Pizza night. They have three beautiful children and one on the way (December). The kids ended up not making it (went to mom/grandparent's house) so just John and Faith came. We had a blast making our own pizzas. Faith mixed up the dough, I made homemade sauce, and then we loaded it up with toppings - pepperoni, pesto, tomato sauce, cheese, sausage, bacon, chicken, banana peppers, and mushrooms. Mind you, not all these toppings went on one pizza. These are the toppings we had to use to make different pizzas. Faith also made these really yummy chocolate chip cookies for dessert.

What started this all, was me telling Nathan about when I was little we used to make our own pizzas and have pizza night. I don't remember how often we did this but I remember loving every moment of making our own pizza!! Then it hit me - I have a family of my own and we need to start making traditions. Even though Gabe is to little right now to enjoy pizza, I know one day he will think he has really "cool" parents when it comes to Pizza Night at the May House and all the many many traditions I have floating in my head!!

On a side note, one of my favorite things is watching Nathan curl his lip whenever I have idea (which to be fair to him....I have TONS of ideas :) ). Then once we do my idea, his response is "WOW!!! That was great". It melts my heart to see Nathan try something new for the 1st time and then tell me thanks. I like to call him my "old man" because he is usually first to disagree or grumble about doing something new and out of his comfort zone.

Overall, tonight was a great night with laughter, sharing stories, and making plans for this season FOOTBALL!!!! I truly look forward to making more traditions with Nathan and Gabriel (future children too)! P.S. sorry but I forgot to take pictures of the pizzas we made tonight. We were to hungry and the pizzas looked too good!

Ice Ice Baby and My Baby

This past Friday we went to a free concert on base. The Air Force Band for Wright-Patt performed and they were GREAT!! Vanilla Ice - yes the one and only Ice Ice Baby - came and did a meet and greet. We all thought he was going to perform but he was there just to say hi, sign autographs, and take pictures.

I think Gabe had the best time showing Vanilla Ice his appreciation for doing the meet and greet. As soon as I snapped this picture, Gabe decided that the earring Vanilla Ice was wearing was a toy so Gabe started slapping Vanilla Ice upside his head - LOL. The whole time Vanilla Ice was saying "WOW he really likes me". Sad to say that as soon as I walked away I started laughing - thats my son for you.

Other news, Gabe is now "cruising" around the house. Nathan and I call it walking but the baby books call it cruising. 7 months has been a nonstop month for Gabriel. I posted before that he started the "army" crawl at 7 months 1 day old. Then two weeks later he was pulling himself up on whatever he could, toys, couch, chairs, and his crib. Now another week later he is pulling himself up and walking the length of the objects he pulls himseld up with. Everytime Nathan comes home he is just amazed at the new things his son does. We are beyond proud of Gabe.

We have started the "talk". When do we want another baby? Both of us want more kids but I look at Gabriel and think "how can I have another one and still give all my love and attention to him?" So I am praying and trying to listen to what God has to say.

Save The Date!!!

I am super super excitied about throwing Gabe's 1st birthday party. Anyone who knows me, knows I highly believe in birthdays and think everyone should celebrate them. 1st birthday to 81st birthday all of them are special. So Gabe's birthday bash will be celebrated on the 20th of December. This gives family and friends 4 months to plan their drive or airplane ride up here. And YES I have the theme, decoration ideas, and cake all planned out. I went back and forth about making or buying his 1st birthday cake but thanks to the internet, I have found the cake I will be making. So until the 2oth, I am enjoying our Tub of Love or Chunky Monkey as we have nicknamed Gabe. LOL By the way, he has decided to sit up unassisted and pull himself up on toys, couch, and his crib.