Tired Child + An Attempt to Climb a Chair = Her First Shiner :(

And to my horror it continues to get darker instead of going away.

Hiking Season

She discovered the water in the camelbak, and couldn't get enough

Wanting to share of course

Throwing rocks in the stream-she loved it

Let the outdoor activities begin. We went on our first hike last weekend. It was awesome. Gabe loved pointing at the trees, birds, and water. The weather was awesome and we decided to enjoy it. We have a goal to have a good bike ride, or hike each weekend. Plus several trips to Tahoe. We'll see how often it happens.

Utah Trip

The kids-Minus Adam :(

Most of the grandkids

Poor Ty was so patient for the picture as Gabe was shoving him to go (she wanted to go again-the little bully)

Cute Grandma did so much for the park party, that she didn't realize her slippers were still on her feet when we left. I thought it was cute, we love you Janene. 

I have to say you're lookin good in this one girls

Our quick trip to Utah for Richie's wedding was a lot of fun. We pretty much had time to have the wedding day, and hang out for Friday. Friday was Gabe's official birthday, so it was fun to get together at the park and let her play with her cousins, and hang out with the rest of her family. Thanks to all that could come out. Gabe didn't hesitate with the icing this time, she shoved that cupcake in. Too funny. Here are some of the pics from the trip. Congrats Rich and Ashleigh. 

1 year old

 

I know it's late, and I'm sure that most of you are sick of looking at posts for Gabe's birthday, but this post is going to happen. Not only do I post her monthly updates for journaling purposes, but I refer back to them when scrapbooking for her. 

So here we are a few days late, but a year into my daughters life. Honestly it was a little more emotional for me than I thought it would be. I had so many emotions going on inside of me knowing that my baby girl has now become a toddler. I really can't believe how fast time went by. People tell you it does, but you don't understand it until they are here. It seems like I was so excited for her next milestone or accomplishment, that I didn't realize how quickly things were happening. Looking back time FLEW! now she is our "big" girl. Here is my picture timeline of her first year:

 

At one year old she is such a little stinker. She loves to tease, flirt, and charm anyone that she can. She loves to go to stores just so she can smile at everyone surrounding her. She loves riding in shopping carts. She is constantly talking and rambling telling you some sort of story. She has what I call her pouting words down. When she's sad she gets this tone that's so sad and tells you all about it. She has the meaning of no down, especially when she doesn't want to do something. She shakes her head no and loves to throw some tantrums. She has learned how to say yes when she really wants something too. She cuddles everything. Everything meaning her books, stuffed animals, shoes, binkies, bottles, her food. Yes all of her food gets a nice hug before she eats it. It ends for a messy meal, but it is simply adorable. Nothing cuter than watching her cuddle her PB & J sandwich. HA. She no longer wants you to break things apart for her to eat, she wants a sandwich just like everyone else. I usually make her one then smoosh it down so she can bite it. Whatever works. She loves to be outdoors. Dirt is her best friend. She loves to watch the birds and points them out to us half the time. On the way into church today I had to stop so she could show me the birds in the trees. She loves her bike, and got a different one for her birthday that we feel better about her riding on. She still throws everything, and I still can't get her to quit even though I take it away once she throws it. I think it really is just one of her favorite things to do. She shares everything. If she has something she wants you to play with it, eat it, or hold it too. She is not walking yet, but on the verge. I'm not in a hurry to push it, she'll do it when she's ready. She loves to say, "this" and point to everything. She loves to talk to Daddy or anyone on the phone. She now hands me the phone and says,"dada." So we call Daddy. She gives him kisses over the phone, meaning she just kisses my phone. She loves to share her kisses, as most of you know. 

We love this little girl. We can't get enough of her, and we still can't believe how blessed our lives are with her in it. She makes are family better, and brightens up our home. I am constantly amazed at all you can do. I love you bug! Happy one year!

Love, 

     Mommy

She is the cutest girl in the world!! I love coming home from work and seeing her huge smile and have her come hurry to my arms. I love how she will cuddle me to sleep. I can hold her for hours as she holds me close. I am so thankful to have such a special spirit in our lives. It is such a blessing to be her Daddy, I know she will teach us so much, and be a wonderful example to us in the many years to come. I love you my Gabrielle forever!! 

Love, 

     Daddy

Happy Birthday Gabrielle my Beautiful 1 year old!! Love Daddy

CAKE CAKE CAKE

I know it's a little long, but I didn't want to cut anything out. So for those who couldn't be there for it, here you are. I love how hesitant she is in the beginning, to her shoveling it in towards the end. (we actually stopped filming to shove some in her mouth) It was no wonder I was up all that night with her having a stomach ache. I hadn't notice how much she actually consumed, until reviewing this movie. Chalk it up to new mommy mistakes. I do have to say she did thoroughly enjoy herself though, so it made it worth it. For those of you who missed the end results pictures, where she put here hands more in her hair not shown in the film, they are a few posts down.

Okay we are officially caught up. One word for the finale: Amazing! So due to the fact that I don't want to spoil it for anyone who hasn't seen it, I'll finish my thoughts in a comment to this post. Kami, Heidi, no cheating. Ha! Here's a warning to anyone not wanting a spoiler: Don't post a comment. :)

Our busy weekend

So bare with me this might be a rather long post, I'm combining events into one big post. 

It all started late thursday night when Judy and Trina arrived here to help Adam and I out with babysitting Gabe. (Plus it was a nice excuse to have visitors) On Friday Adam and I got to attend a fireside with Elder Bednar and Elder Anderson of the twelve. It was the coolest thing ever. It was at a stake center, and it was for all young adults and young married couples in our area. There actually weren't as many people there as I thought there would be. I figured they'd have to broadcast it into other rooms, possibly other buildings. (we've had stake conference bigger than that) Nope, just the overflow and the stage. Instead of listening to talks, they made it a question and answer meeting. Have you ever had an opportunity to ask an apostle anything you want? Yeah I hadn't either. It was amazing, that's all I can say. It is something that I will most likely never be able to experience again, and something not many people get to attend. For 2 hours we were able as a group to have our questions answered. Afterwards we also got to meet them and shake their hands. Now, I've been to large firesides in Utah with apostles and even the prophet before, but nothing this small and personal. The spirit was amazing, and made it clear that these were men of God. We both learned so much and are so grateful to Judy and Trina for putting up with our daughter who was being VERY difficult. We love you guys for it, and Gabe loves you too. :) Also thanks for all your help around the house.

Saturday we ventured all over the place, and made a special trip to Tahoe so Trina could see it.

Sunday we had a get together with some of our close friends for Gabe's early birthday celebration . She and I will be in Utah for a wedding on her real birthday, and Adam has to work. (So he's stuck in Nevada) So we celebrated early. It was so much fun to see all of her buddies playing, and see her reaction to her cake. Here are some picture of the fun:

Gabe and Brielle

Gabe's buddy, Owen

Elliot is the cutest little guy ever

Charly and Owen showing Gabe how fun her presents are

We played outside with bubbles and sidewalk chalk after we ate. (Evrik showin how it's done)

And of course the cake pics:

That's right folks, isn't she a beaut? That puppy is obviously home made. I tried to be creative(in the so very little time I had to get it done)....HAHA. I can honestly say it's my first cake I made. (We're not big fans around here) At least she'll just remember how yummy it was, and not so much the look of it.

She grabbed on right away, but then got freaked out by the stickiness

 

She of course put her hands in her hair. We finally had to kinda shove it in her mouth to make her realize it was yummy and packed with sugar. She loved it!

And wanted to touch everything..

And share with everyone. (She tried putting her fingers in Charly's mouth)

The end result...(I had to give her watermelon to distract her so I could take her cake away)

Thanks to all of our friends that made her first birthday great. Now I've got two days to get my house in order, our bags packed, and my to do list done so I can head out to Utah. My 1 year post on her official birthday will be late. I also wanna try and get as many of her cousins together to play at the park on her real birthday-so heads up Utah people you're invited if you wish to attend. (sometime later afternoon on friday) SO, there is a lot more to come, if i can get it all in.