Happy Birthday Taylor and Brent!

Today is my niece Taylor's 18th Birthday and her Dad, Brent's 42nd birthday! We wish you both a very happy birthday today!

Taylor and Jordan designed this scrapbook page when Gavin was a baby and they were staying with us in Mt. Zion...I couldn't get the whole page scanned, but it gives you an idea.

Over Christmas break, Brent and Jordan took Gavin snow skiing. They live about 5 minutes away from the slopes. Although in these pictures Gavin doesn't look thrilled it was all he talked about once he got home. All of his sore body parts were worth it.

This video was from last weekend when we went to visit The Marshall's. It was a good time. This was just one of the highlights. I was thinking of editing it so it wasn't so long, but then I

figured I might just leave something out. Enjoy!

Happy Birthday to you both! We love you!

* You can thank Jordan for the music...Larry thinks it stinks!

Come to Papa!

I decided to go ahead and post Maddox getting all pumped up for his "unsuccessful" ramp that wrote about in my last post. I left out the wreck...it wasn't quite as fun to watch. Listen carefully....you'll hear a rough and tough "Yeah..." then a "Come to Papa!" He must've gotten that from his Dad, I'm pretty sure I don't say that...or maybe it came from Alvin and the Chipmunks he's been into that movie here lately.

It was his idea to ramp, not mine. I just figured he wouldn't have a problem...he's done it many times before with training wheels. He took right to turning and stopping so I figured ramping would just come naturally too.

I can ride my bike...

WITH NO TRAINING WHEELS...NO TRAINING WHEELS!

This afternoon we played outside once Gavin got home from school. Maddox pulled out Gavin's good ole Tonka bike and asked me to push him. He took right off...I was so proud of him! We had planned on taking his training wheels off once we started playing outside regularly again anyway, but I wasn't expecting him to do it today. It was getting to the point that he really wasn't using his training wheels anyway, except when he turned. They were so bent out of shape that it was ridiculous. However, they were there when he needed them.

He only had one big fall, and it was one with only a few tears. It also included a ramp. I know, a ramp already! He just didn't quite have his speed up and did this slow motion move off the top of it. He did cry, but got right up and took off again with the ramp put away for now.

I have it all on video...we were watching it after Larry got home from work in even slower motion. Too funny! The funniest thing is that as he was headed toward the ramp if you turned the volume up you could hear him saying "Come to papa!"

Can't wait for it to warm up some more so we can take some bike rides around the neighborhood.

Here's some footage of my big boy...

One gain, One loss

Let's see...can you guess who's up and who's down this week? You really just never know, do you?

This week I am down... 2 lbs. My total 11.8 lbs.

Mom was up.... .6 lbs. Mom's total 6.4 lbs.

As I told Mom earlier today when she called to give me her news. I think that we're doing pretty good at keeping our gains to minimal amounts. We were laughing because we've both had gains that were her number minus the decimal point. So, I'd say we have a lot to be proud of in that aspect. Did you know it was possible to gain that much in one, maybe two weeks? It is...we know from experience. Of course we couldn't have possibly been trying very hard to lose at that point in time, but it does happen! It's a good thing Dad doesn't read blogs, right Mom! Then your secret would be out.

(if anyone has any good, healthy ideas as far as recipes for lent, please share) I'm not a fan of fish, unless it is fried! That's not really an every Friday option for me these days. I can handle tilapia...tuna...even if it's a recipe that I can adjust a little here and there that'd be great. If you have any favorites to share...please do!

Rock Stars!

So, Gavin got this guitar for his birthday and none of us have a clue as to what to do with it! Thursday we got a call from a friend of ours...her son has been playing guitar since about 6th grade...now he's a Freshman. She said he wouldn't mind coming over and showing Gavin a couple things....

So Robert and his friend Chris came over and did exactly that...he couldn't wipe the smile off of his face. Imagine two teenagers taking the time to teach Gavin how to play a little. Priceless! He's been practicing a little here and there. He has talked a lot about his "jam session!" I was amazed at how well they did with him. It's obvious they are both great with kids.

Thanks a ton Robert and Chris!

Mallory's Sweet 16!

Happy 16th Birthday Mallory Paige!

Mallory, Maddox, and Patton

Larry, Rhett, Gavin, and Mallory

Mallory, Mom, and Kiley

Some idiot and Kiley!

Mallory meets Maddox

We are super excited for you. Now maybe, just maybe, we'll get to see you a little more often. You can drive yourself down this direction to see us any time you want!

Love you and hope you have a super day! Love ya.... Larry, DeAnn, Gavin and Maddox

Is it Fat Tuesday or what?

What a coincidence! I gained tonight...Mom stayed the same. I was up .4 lbs. Geesh! I'm guessing that I picked at food quite a bit more than I thought I did this week. I exercised...but probably ate a little more cake, licked a bit more icing, and snacked more than I realized that I did. Mom was really disappointed that she stayed the same...I wish I would've stayed the same.

Until next week! Oh, and if I have any more interested in a PARTY...email me! ldgdorn@hotmail.com

I'll wait til closer to give the details and get in touch with each of you personally. It seems that party may be a ways off!!!!!!!!!! What a way to celebrate Fat Tuesday! Encouraging words needed!