Chicago

Last weekend I took my annual trip with my high school buddies to Chicago! One of my friend's, Amy, lives there and she showed us around town from a local's point of view. We had a great time seeing the city, visiting festivals and eating out.

Trip home

A few weeks after Gavin's birthday we went to Opelika for over a week! I think that is the longest Gav has been away from home. He decided that the pack in play was not the place to sleep so we experimented with sleeping on a twin mattress. He is still in his crib at home and I hope he stays in it until he's 5! Just kidding...but getting this 2 year old to sleep in an actual bed is dang close to impossible. Any suggestions are welcome.
Anywho, Gavin had the time of his life playing with my buff brother in this cooler (Yes, that is Will). Who needs a pool?

He had such a blast at Gigi and Pop's house that maybe he should spend a week or two there by himself next summer!

Also during the trip to Alabama, I was honored to be a bridesmaid in April's (friend from college) wedding. What a beautiful bride! It was a fun weekend and my parents kept Gavin alone Friday night.

Another post is coming shortly....make sure you read about Gavin's birthday party below!

Birthday Boy

Oh this poor neglected blog... I will attempt to catch you up on what is going on in the Farley household. First, Gavin is 2! His birthday was June 6th and we had a small birthday party at our community pool. Both sets of grandparents came along with Aunt Mary Lou, Aunt Leann and Uncle Larry. Thanks everyone for driving down! Gavin really enjoyed his cake and presents. All of his little friends came to the party and everyone BUT the birthday boy had fun swimming in the pool. Gavin spent the entire party feeding the fish in the pond and playing with ice in the cooler. It was his party, right?

He was so excited about his train cake!

We had "train hats", bandanas and train whistles as party favors. Pop really liked the hats! :)
The boy got a bubble machine from Gigi (my mom) and we have to turn it on every single time we step outside.

Handsome birthday boy.

More posts to come...

Gavin is almost 2! He is trying so hard to communicate with us these days. Most of the time I can figure out what he's saying. But if I do not understand the first three or four times then I am guaranteed a full blown temper tantrum.

We spend our days playing outside, going to the pool (almost everyday), reading books, and eating grapes and goldfish. He knows almost all of the letters in the alphabet (not in order) and all of his colors. I love when he says "boooo" for "blue" and "lelloooo" for "yellow".

My friends and I took these little monkeys to the zoo last week. Of course they were more interested in this webby thing than looking at the animals.

Gavin, Noah and Ashley admiring an anteater. Gavin would not stop yelling "ANNNS!" (ants).

This kid loves the outdoors. He could play in 100 degree weather all day. Not that it was that hot on this day...but it was hot enough for this little bug to sit in his tot chair and drink some water. Doesn't he look like a little man?

Egg Hunt

Today was our neighborhood Easter Egg Hunt. Gavin was very excited and serious about finding some eggs. He couldn't wait to get to the park with his Easter basket (this was my basket when I was a kid!).

Running to the park to find an "EHHH".

He was very good at placing the eggs in his basket.

Gavin and his friends, Taylor and Slayden.

Scoping out the other kids' baskets. He was a little upset after all the eggs were found. He was trying to steal from everyone else.

Here are a few pictures of the boy. He finally got his sand and water table (thanks Grandma and Pop!) set up and he plays with it every day.

Gavin was very happy to receive some "goodies" in the mail from Jason's parents.

Valentine's Day was a few days ago but I thought you should know about my big date with my hubby. First of all, my parents came to visit and kept Gavin OVERNIGHT!!! I know it doesn't sound like a big deal...but I have never left Gav before for an entire night. Of course he did great and my folks said they had lots of fun. Thanks, Grandma and Pop! It almost seemed too easy. I'm ready for another night away!!!
Anywho, my surprise for Jason was a tour of the Anheuser Busch brewery. I think there are only four or five breweries in the US that provide tours and Jacksonville is one of them. It was pretty cool...we were able to see how and where the beer is brewed and bottled. The pics are kind of backwards. At the end of the tour we went into the 36 degree room where the finishing tanks are and sampled the beer before it is bottled and pasteurized. It tasted pretty dang good if you like beer.

These are the finishing tanks.

We had to wear this hat along with ear plugs and safety goggles. This is the room where they keep the hops...kind of stinky.

Jason could have fit two more people in his glasses.

Labeling the beer

Empty cans Boxing the beer.

So, if you are ever in Jacksonville and have a free afternoon I would recommend touring the plant.

After the tour, we went to eat at a nice restaurant called Orsay, went to McDonald's for a fancy dessert (ha!), and then stayed at the Hyatt Regency hotel downtown on the river. Needless to say it was a much needed getaway for us. Yay!