The Wilton Method of Cake Decorating

Through Relief Society I was able to participate in Course 1 of the Wilton Method of Cake Decorating. It was really fun to learn different techniques and who can complain about having to eat cake three weeks in a row? Not to mention that I received an official certificate stating that I "satisfactorily completed" the course.

 My first creation was this fish. When I walked in the door holding it, Gavin exclaimed, "Is that for me?!"

 The next week I made Gavin a clown cake. He loved it, too and he kept calling it his birthday cake.

I missed the third week because Ben and I went to the temple due to my new calling as Young Women's President. I am still not sure how I feel about it, but I am figuring things out little by little. 

Vacations and Christmas

We went to Virginia for Thanksgiving and Christmas this year.

Playing with Grandma Jennifer.

 Gavin came down one morning and found Grandma exercising with the Wii and wanted to join in. I thought that the imitation was pretty accurate.

Stretching at the end of a workout is the most important part. 

Gavin was a little sacred of Santa, but at least he sat on his lap without crying. 

All Gavin asked for was candy and when Santa gave him M&M minis, Gavin was set.

I couldn't resist sharing this photo--I love seeing decorations--they remind me of being with family and celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. Just looking at this picture warms my heart!

Gavin singing Christmas hymns. He didn't know the words, but he had no problem singing out.

 I guess he did want more from Santa than he thought--he just didn't know what his options were.

This is one of the best presents he got. He loves dressing up as Darth Vader and saying, "I am your fadder." He is also wearing his Christmas Eve jammies.

 Opening presents at Grandma GG's house with all of Ben's cousins.

After Virginia, Ben went home to work while Gavin and I went to Arizona to soak up the sun and see my family.

Gavin and Drew loved playing together and were partners in crime.

No matter how many times we told them to stay off the table, they wouldn't listen if they were in it together.

Drew, Gavin and Olivia playing songs and singing along.

Gavin still loves holding babies and every time I was holding Cora, he had to have a turn, too.

While we were in AZ, we went to Grandma Shelly's work to help out with some computer stuff. Gavin played quietly with the iPad. 

 While in Arizona, Ben's Uncle Tim, Aunt Shannon and Grandma Smith invited us over for dinner. We love getting together with them since we don't get to see them too often. Gavin loved playing with Ben's cousins.

 Showing Grandma Smith this awesome Iron Man toy that he played with the whole time we were there.

Dawson, Gavin, Ashlee, Grandma Smith, Dallin 

Taylor, Shannon, Dallin, Hannah, Grandma Smith, Ashlee, Gavin, Dawson

Snow and Randomness

The first snow.

So, naturally, we had to go for a walk.

After seeing Ben throw snow at me, Gavin had to try. He kept saying, "I throw snow for you." And I kept repeating, "At, you throw snow at me, not for me."

Trying out mattresses for Gavin's big boy bed.

I was reading a book and looked over at Gavin to see him playing while wearing Mr. Potato Head's glasses.

Ben set up his slot car track in the attic. Gavin will ask Daddy if he wants to go play cars upstairs.

Gavin found Ben's bike helmet and gloves one day. So, he decided that he needed to wear them while riding his bike. Ben got his old helmet out for Gavin to play with and Gavin found his mittens fit better than Daddy's bike gloves.

Halloween

 I made Gavin a vest and chaps for his Halloween costume this year. Grandma Mullins found a hat and gun from when Ben went as a cowboy when he was a kid.

 Ben and I went as Zombies to the ward party--zombie EQ President and zombie Martha Stewart. Yes, we scared the little kids at the party.

 Ben and I carved pumpkins while Gavin painted his. Ben does all the carving, I just clean out the pumpkins.

In our neighborhood here the kids don't come knock on your door. It took us awhile to figure out that if we wanted to get rid of our candy, we needed to go sit outside like our neighbors. It was a little chilly out there, but Gavin loved it. He especially liked telling everyone, "Happy Halloween!"