The Growing Gant Family...

We bit the bullet, packed the car and road tripped it down to my parents house for Thanksgiving. It was a fast trip, jam packed with family and friends. We split our time on the road up by spending a couple nights at friend's houses on the way down as well as on the way back home. That's the nice thing about road trips-you get to see twice the # of people. William is quite the little traveler. Of course, mom and dad got a little help from the dvd player (o; I think William watched more movies on this trip than he's seen in his entire lifetime. Where William spent a lot of time...Doesn't he look like he's having a blast?! William (and I) meeting his cousin Khyleigh for the first time! The family...Brother Chris, new soon to be sister-in-law Amber (got engaged while we were down there!), and baby Khyleigh The Pile family...all except sister Tune (in Japan)...We miss you Tauna!

We visited the pumpkin patch with our good friends Emily & Gavin. I had never been to Bauman Farms and they've got quite a bit to enjoy! William still isn't quite old enough to enjoy it all, but I think he loved it just the same. We made it through about 1/4 of the hay maze (o: Just Me and my Buddy My favorite...Tractor!

William has been so cute helping his Daddy with our current remodel project. It has been so fun watching him mimick Daddy's actions with certain tools and crouch down beside him like he's ready to help. He loves to find any little empty hole to stick a screwdriver or screw into. We slid many drawers in only to take them back out and find that William had put a screw into a small hole that was hindering the drawer from sliding in. Pretty hillarious. He was always proud of himself...even clapped his hands. Here's a picture of one of his small projects. I was working, not entirely paying attention to what he was up to (who can keep there eye on a toddler ALL the time?!). I later discovered that he was traveling from a box of screws to a wall cabinet that was still lying on the floor. The pictures tell the rest of the story... When I finally noticed what he was doing, he would show me an empty hole, sign "more", go get another screw, put it in the hole and the...

Yes, this was our second trip to California this summer. This one was originally planned, but I'm sure glad it worked out! Curtis sent William and I down to see Grandpa and Grandma while he slaved away on our kitchen remodel . He worked while we got to visit and play...I've got such an incredible husband. We timed it so that I could see my sister before she left to head back to Japan (she had been there since Spring and was home for a summer visit) and I could attend my cousin's wedding. The time was good; always is. Makes me realize how much I miss the ones I love that are so far away... The sista's The clan... William thinking he's gonna hitch a ride with Tauna to Japan...Not so fast Mister! Saying our goodbyes... It isn't time with Grandpa until you've gotten on a tractor...William and Grandpa, both in their elements. William notices any tractor he sees and tells me "Trekta, Trekta, Trekta Mamma!" At the beach... ...

We're in the middle of a major kitchen remodel at the Gant house. William gets right in there with Dad and "helps" him with whatever he's working on. It's pretty cute to see him pick up the hammer and mimick Curtis' actions. He's a little boy following his in his Daddy's footsteps. If he becomes even half the man his Daddy is, I'll be one proud mama. "Here you go Mom, don't forget your face mask." What a perfect little boy's hideout... "Is it this one Daddy?" "Okay, don't worry I'll get it!" Along with Construction sometimes comes an "ouchie". William experiencing his mom as Nurse for the first time. S ittin' and watchin' Mark at work...Sometimes I just wonder what he's thinking...

Annually we try and get together our friends from when we lived in Portland for a BBQ during the summer. We always enjoy seeing old friends, eating good food and just hanging out into the evening. We cherish our friendships and are thankful that this time allows us to keep connected. William and Lindsey. Sarah and Petra goofin' around! The newest addition to our clan, Lauren Marie just a little over a week old. The kids pickin' berries... Sarah teaching Brycen how to act rough and tough on the four wheeler. Holdin' miss Adalie (hope I spelled it right!), one of the Huld twins.

We were so excited for our camping trip this year! We planned to head up to Lost Lake with our Life Group from church and camp for an extended weekend. We had such a blast. I just love seeing William play in the dirt and enjoy the outdoors 24/7. What little boy wouldn't love it! We had planned to take him on his first kayak ride but time and weather didn't permit. Don't worry, I know Dad will get him on the kayak with him sooner than later! Here are some of the fun pics from the weekend... What better thing to do on a long drive than fall asleep...with watchdog Max at your side. Mama and William sittin' by the fire Pickin up rocks, down by the river. Nothin' like a lukewarm bath in the wide open nature (Okay, Mom was being a little torturous at this point! We only did it once.) Giving loves to his little buddy! Our dutch oven (lasagna) goodness... Playin' with the big kids: Jacob, Ethan and Lauren. A mouthful of red licorice...and loving it! My precious...