Melissa, Gavin and Mackenzie riding our friend Bailey at our friend's farm. We love to go there to ride the horses (they have 3), find eggs in the barn from the free range chickens and play with the dogs and cat..and of course visit our people friends Tracie and Tom too.

Fall in Virginia. We love to go apple picking at Carter Mountain. We love the apples and the fresh cider. And this year I made the BEST homemade apple pie ever!!!!

Halloween in Foxhead. Gavin was a Pirate and Mackenzie was a reindeer cowgirl with pink leg warmers, she's original! We attending the annual Foxtober Fest in our neighborhood "Foxhead". The kids go dressed up. The association provides food, drinks, ice cream, a live band and a bounce house. Lots of fun.

Just a quick blurb and then I owe Mackenzie a puzzel before bedtime. Things are going great here in Virginia. I am now teaching 3 days a week at Mackenzie's school and studying to get into a career changer program and UofR (University of Richmond). I'm hoping to be teaching elem. Ed. by the time Mackenzie is in Kindergarten. 12 Minutes to bedtime, will have to post more later.

Gavin's first day of First Grade. He is doing great in school. All of his teachers love him. He still goes to see his Kindergarten teacher and give her a hug every morning. She wants him back. Mackenzie and I had lunch with him yesterday at school. It's so cute to meet all of his friends.

Mackenzie is in her second year of pre-school. She loves it and is so smart. She does have a little boy who bothers here b/c he is so in love with her and can't keep his hands off of her. He actually asked her to be his girlfriend. Smart girl, she said NO!

Gavin and Mackenzie at gymnastics.

Mackenzie and her babies having a sleep over in Gavin's bottom bunk.

Mackenzie with her two best buddies from Pre-School (Abby & Cate) on a fieldtrip.

The "Three Stooges", Gavin and his best friends Alex and Alec. Aren't they funny?

Gavin and Mackenzie were given a personal tour of Fire Station #16 by the female firefighter he made friends with. She spent an hour with the kids explaining what they do, how all the trucks work, showing them their gear and letting tour each truck. Mackenzie wasn't quite sure what to think but Gavin loved it and asked a hundred questions of course.

We just happen to be a few minutes from the Richmond International Racetrack. Although Jimmy is a Jr. fan, he had a great time as a VIP guest of Cheerios and the Bobby LaBonte team.

Sunday March 26
Gavin gets his first two wheeler!
He outgrew his tricycle and it was time to move him up to a big boy bike. It took a second to figure it out and then off he went. We live on the corner of a culdesac so he just rides and rides in circles and loves it. He is getting better and better each day. He rode for a while Sunday afternoon (the day he got it) and then again Monday morning and Monday afternoon (today). We sneak out when Mackenzie is napping and bring the monitor with us. Our side gate in our back yard opens up to the culdesac. He is saving the tricycle for Mackenzie. I guess we'll have to get something for Mackenzie so she can play too. Sometimes we chase him with the stroller!

Saturday March 25
Gavin and Mackenzie met Clifford at Barnes and Noble story time. Gavin was so excited to see Clifford. He kept asking on the way there: Mommy, when are we going to be there? Who is driving Cliffird there? Is his friend Emily going to be there? Mommy, when are we going to be there? I bet he will lick me. Are we almost there?
He was just a little nervous when he met him and not quite sure if he was real. I told him that he looked just like the Clifford on T.V. to me.
Mackenzie was very interested from a distance but when she got up close and touched him, she
was afraid of him.
After we met him, we sat and watched all the otehr kids meet him. Then as he left, Gavin yelled out to him: Goodbye Clifford. We'll see you on T.V.

March 23, 2006 HAPPY 1st BIRTHDAY MACKENZIE!!!
Mackenzie started her birthday being woken up by daddy and big brother singing happy birthday to her. This was not as much fun as eating her peanut butter and jelly sandwich birthday lunch! When daddy got home from work we celebrated by having pizza for dinner, cupcakes, more singing and then presents. She got cards, savings bonds, money, books, a new outfit and a pink Barbie Doll from Gavin!
Thanks to all who sent gifts!!!! She loved them all.

Sunday March 19
We spent a beautiful, sunny, 50 degree day on a scenic Idaho train ride. The Thunder Mountain Line offers amazing scenery as it winds around a narrow canyon along the beautiful Payette River (where we swim in the summer!). The train ventures through sagebrush covered hill sides, pristine national forests, mountain meadows and range lands. We spent the first half of the ride inside and the second half outside in the sun and the wind. It was lots of fun!

My little bug enjoying her ladybug beanbag. This was the find of the century at the thrift store. We have a thrift store here, where Melissa loves to shop. She finds name brand clothes for Mackenzie like Baby Gap, the Childrens Place, etc for .99 cents. It's so much fun.

Gavin tries some fox ears on for size at the zoo.

We spent a sunny, 55 degree day at the Boise zoo last Saturday. We enjoyed bald eagles, red tailed hawkes, penguins, zebras, monkey, and even a camel. We were very surprised to learn that there are no elephants at the zoo. Maybe it's the climate. But the camel was cool!

Happy Birthday Daddy. Thanks for the chocolate cake!

My young models posed for a few All American shots one Feb. afternoon.

Gavin turned 4 in January. He had a very fun birthday party with 9 of his best friends at Chuck E Cheese. Yeah, 9 friends. He has adapted well to the move and made lots of friends. He got a bunch of toys and played lots of games. Everyone had a good time.

Jimmy and Mackenzie enjoying the hot tub. I guess you're never too young for a nice relaxing soak. Mackenzie loved the water. We can't wait to get her in the river this summer.

Here's Melissa enjoying the beauty of an Idaho winter.

This is the Payette River. Just a few weeks earlier, the chunks of ice were floating down the river. We love to swim here in the summer. Rafting down the Payette River and the Boise river is a big thing here in the summer time. The water is cold because it's snow melt but on a hundred degree day, it's refreshing.

Gavin and Mackenzie Christmas day.

Gavin and Mackenzie visit Santa. Mackenzie was terrified. Sorry baby girl.