THE FALL PHOTO-SHOOT. AUTUMN NEVER LOOKED SO GOOD :-)!

HIS ACTUAL BIRTHDAY. ANOTHER TRAIN RIDE OF SORTS.

By the time Gavin's actual birthday came around he was ready for another train ride.  When I asked him that morning what he wanted to do for his birthday he said, "Go to my birthday party!  Go on the train again!"  Well, we weren't about to go back to Heber again, but quickly I thought he might like to ride the 'bus-train' as I called it.  So off we went to ride the light-rail TRAX into downtown.  It just so happened that we got our first snow of the season that morning as we were leaving and spent the day out in it.  Poor Grandpa Parker from Florida nearly froze to death I think, but it was so much fun for Gavin to ride on another train.  He loved it.  We finished the day off with a family dinner at The Old Spaghetti factory where we got to sit inside the trolley/caboose.  It was a train themed birthday through and through.  

Gavin was born at 6:48 pm (pacific time).  Somehow they all came out singing him 'happy birthday' at exactly that minute (well, 7:48 pm mountain time).  It almost made me tear up that we literally celebrated his birth minute.  It was a neat moment.

A little unsure of what to make of these strangers singing to him I think.

GAVIN TURNS THREE!!!! HIS BIRTHDAY PARTY.

It was a nice intimate little party with just us family members there to celebrate.  Milo and Otis played in the background while we opened gifts and had our homemade cupcakes.  As you can see, it was a Thomas the Tank Engine themed party complete with balloons.  We had ridden the train that morning and on our drive home it really started to rain.  Luckily it let up and the sun came out just in time so Gavin could ride his new birthday bike.  All-in-all it was a awesome day.

The rockstar/birthday boy.

While I was out grabbing party supplies Gavin decided that he needed to 'get ready' for the party and helped himself to my makeup (note that this did not happen under my watch).  When I came home I was greeted by this newly decorated face.  At first I thought the guys had decorated him up in Halloween makeup, but quickly learned that he had done this all on his own.  His face was covered in concealer and he had 'applied' mascara to his eyes.  It was a little creepy seeing him in all this makeup.  He definitely had a edgy rocker kid look to him.  We decided to leave it on for the party since he took the liberty of applying it, but about half way through we tried to clean it off with only marginal results.  So the party continued and by the next morning it had all worn off.  Maybe someday when he's a teenager we'll pull out these photos and show them to his date.  Just for fun.

Thanks Aunt Tammy...He LOVED this wrapping paper!

So our little guy is now three years old and getting bigger every week.  We have officially survived the 'terrible twos', but we have been warned about the 'horrible threes'.  According to some veteran parents, it gets worse.  So we are gearing up for another 'interesting' year, but remain optimistic.  I'm sure it will be another year of tantrums, tears, opinions, and back-talking, but hopefully just the smiles and laughter will become our memories.   So here's to another year.  Hopefully we survive.  Intact.

That look has trouble written all over it!

Still sporting some man-liner.

Behold, the beloved birthday bike.

The only thing Gavin wanted for his birthday this year was a bike.  This of course was the most exciting news for Curtis.  Curtis was beside himself with excitement of giving Gavin his very first set of wheels.  We had looked for weeks trying to decide which one would be just right.  So after many test rides and numerous bike shops we finally found the one.  It is the slightly bigger 16" bike and has an aluminum frame and wheels.  This baby should last him till he's at least six.  We hope.  So thanks Grandpa Parker for your help with this.  We know he loves it!

Getting ready for the 'maiden voyage'. 

 This was Gavin's first look at his new bike and right before his first ride on it at home.

Another year, another candle.

Curtis made these blocks from scratch as one of Gavin's birthday presents.  I know they will spend hours building and rebuilding many a tower and castle.  What a good daddy.

A TRAIN RIDE FOR THE BIRTHDAY BOY

Since our son seems to be obsessed with trains these days, we thought it would be appropriate to celebrate his 3rd birthday by taking a train ride!  So with Grandpa Parker and Uncle Brent in tow, we headed up to Heber Valley to take a three hour train ride through the beautiful fall countryside.  The day truly was perfect.  The weather, the company, and the scenery were all amazing.  Gavin was beside himself with excitement about riding on the train and we haven't heard the end of it since.  He watches Thomas the Train constantly, makes train whistle noises daily, and has chosen to dress as Thomas the Train for Halloween.  Stay tuned for more birthday pics because I assure you they all include trains as well.

The Heber Creeper

Every night before bed Gavin wants us to read a Bill Peet book called 'Smokey' about an old steam engine.  It has become one of his favorite books.  When he saw this old train parked out front at the train station he knew instantly that this was Smokey and ran up to him to say 'hi'.  He was in awe.

'The Caboose who got Loose' is another Bill Peet book that we read on a daily basis.  So here is Gavin admiring Katy Caboose from afar.

The train conductor also was a hit with Gavin on this trip.  Since he has seen the movie Polar Express a couple hundred times now the conductor is really impressive.  His eyes lit up when the conductor yelled 'All Aboard' for our trip.  I think he thought he really was getting on the Polar Express Train.

Gavin and Dad showing me their tickets for the train.

  Gavin is all about tickets lately.  It all started when Gavin wouldn't get in the car easily at the park so we would have him find a 'ticket' for his train ride home on the Mama's Green Express Train (aka my green Subaru Outback).  The ticket was usually some form of a leaf that he'd found on the ground.  It works everytime.

Oh the joy of trains!  Do you think he was having a good time?

The Parkers on a train.

One of my favorite shots from the trip.  I think Curtis and I had just as much fun on the train ride as Gavin.  It really was a blast.

The wind in his face.

Three generations of Parkers.  How funny they're all wearing plaid too.

Uncle Brent and some awesome fall colors.

It was a lovely day.

ENJOYING UTAH ALREADY