Gavin and Melissa

7 months!

2011-04-30T13:07:00.001-07:00

Remember this cute little guy with a wicked awesome wavy faux-hawk.

He turned seven months and we decided it was time for a trim.
Exhausted after the haircut (his second to be exact!)

Showing off his good (and slobbery) looks!

This little guy is so much fun! He is always so happy, if anyone looks at him, he sends a sparkle-y smile right back at them!

Right now he rolls and scoots all over, hasn't quite mastered crawling, but that will come. He loves to sit and play with toys, be talked to, and be loved by the big kids!

Even minnie thinks she is big enough to take care of him! She gives him loves and will even share her cozy with him when hs is sad.

We love this sweet little guy!

Don't worry we kept the faux-halk! No matter what we do thats where it wants to be.. straight up adorable!

Eggs, Bunnys, and Baskets

2011-04-30T12:50:00.000-07:00

We colored Easter Eggs as part of our partying! It was so fun to see the kiddos make different colors and experiment with how to dip them! Truly a fun a Easter adventure!

Mr. K made a really cool cracked dinosaur egg that he cracked, thendyed blue, pink, purple, and green, it turned out really cool!

Sassy loves purple!

So proud of her yellow egg.. She did it All by herself!

At our house baskets are also a form of protective head wear!

Getting ready! Youngest to Oldest of Course!!

My sweet litte Rae with her pretty blue eyes!

Mr. K still loves legos, and I love to see his mind work to figure out how to build this new legos and how to create new things! He finally got the world racers Motorcycle set... something we have NEEDED (or so he said) for a long time!

Sassy loves to be outside, everytime we go to the store she wants to buy seeds and plants... so Easter Bunny brought her exactly that, a new shovel, potting soil, several packets of seeds and a watering can!

I don't know what is it about this little guy, but he LOVES to wrestle EVERYTHING!! It cracks me up. For Easter all this sweet guy needed was the basket and a couple empty eggs to eat!

I think he won!

I love this face, wild hair and all!

Huntin' Eggs!

2011-04-30T11:52:00.000-07:00

We had an all day Easter Egg Hunt! We started at my grandparents house in West Jordan. Minnie wasn't so sure what to do at first... but she got the hang of it rather quickly!

Sassy was an animal, she had her bucket filled faster than anyone else!

Mr. K had a little bit of a disadvantage, he was in a sling from a minor trampoline accident the night before. He get pretty good balancing his basket while picking up the eggs!

Full baskets make for happy kiddos!

Minnie showing off her loot!

Mr. K coming in victorious!

We had to take a picture of the girls sparkle-y shoes. They just looked so Spring-y together!

So Many Eggs! So Much Fun!

Once we finished up at my grandparents house it was off for round two... The Gillings Hunt!

Some of the cousins were sick so it was our kids, and Baby V! We missed our cousins, but had fun hunting the eggs and various treats hiding for us!

Baby V getting her treats, yes she is thrilled!

Mr. K's full basket

Sassy with a bucket full of prizes!

Minnie obviously loves the Cheetos!

We thought that all the eggs had been found and were ready to go inside to eat, but Minnie found the last one all by herself. She was so proud and came running across the yard, her prize in hand yelling, "" I dot it, I dot it!" I love her!

Our sweet guy slept until the hunt was over, we let him find his treat! He wasn't sure what was going on, but knew it was something fun!

He was some wicked awesome hair.... we comb it down.... five minutes passes, instant wavy mohawk! At least the faux-halk is in style!

Cousins... these two are about three months apart! She loves to play with (or fish hook) him, he's not so sure that they are friends!

Moab 2011

2011-04-24T07:39:00.000-07:00

One of our families favorite vacation spots is MOAB!!! We look forward to going every year! This year Gav and Mike took the bigs and I stayed home with the littles! They had a great time hiking, and exploring new things!

The Gillings Family Tree Arch!

Windows

Gav at Windows

Being Goofy at Windows

Tree Hunting 2010 part 2

2011-04-06T21:59:00.001-07:00

So after what seemed like hours of trekking through feet, I'm not kidding, FEET of snow with 3, now crying kiddos (sweet guy was a champ and slept the ENTIRE time) I gave up! Lets just say after this experience I would have made a crappy pioneer. We brought the kids back and Gavin set off to find us a perfect, actually good enough tree. Me and Sweet Guy on our final decent from our crazy adventure!

We got back only to find that our cousins had not had any luck finding a tree, so Myself, along with 9 (yep 9) children climbed in to Gavin's truck and watched Charlie Brown Christmas for a solid 2 hours! Thank goodness we had the Mega Cab for this adventure!

Happy, fed, and warm!

Always a Smiley Guy!

Mr. K and his cousins were determined to ride this sled down this Crazy Steep hill, they made it almost to the top, and FLEW down the hill, they had so much fun, but neither was sure it was worth doing again!

Gav brought us back a beautiful tree! Look how happy we all are that he is back!

Tree Hunting 2010

2011-04-06T21:50:00.000-07:00

Every year we go on a great adventure to find our Christmas tree up in the mountains, so this year we braved the snow packed up our four little kiddos (along with Gavin's dad and Brother's family) and set out for an adventure! These pictures are all from the beginning of the trip when kids were still smiling, the snow was still fun and pretty, and finding a tree didn't seem like an unreachable goal! Gav had to go under the tree!

Happy Sassy!

Minnie Ready to Go!

Mr. K looking ridiculously big!

...and my sweet guy waiting patiently. (perched in Minnie's seat)

How can you not love his face?

Happy Turkey Day!

2010-12-02T10:01:00.000-08:00

We made sugar cookies after dinner! Mr. K loved his turkey the most, I think he spent a good 20 minutes on this masterpiece!

Little Rae loves to use the mixer! She thinks she is the cook!

Decorating with Annie!
(I love Rachael's face in the background, she was really excited about the cookies!)

Cute Baby K!

Sneaking some whipping cream!

We had a great Thanksgiving and I am so grateful that I live so close to most of our family and am able to spend holidays with them!

Happy Halloween!

2010-11-01T14:45:00.000-07:00

Happy Halloween 2010!

Love, The Gillings Family An Awesome Ninja!
A Beautiful Southern Belle!

A Sweet Butterfly!

Trick or Treat!

No costume is complete without a matching treat bag!!

(at least not at our house!)

Carvin' Punkin's

2010-11-01T14:39:00.000-07:00

Getting Ready...Scooping the Guts! Going for the Hands!

Even Little Rae got in on the action!

Mildly grossed out!

Ta-Da!! Masterpieces!

Some of my favorites...

2010-11-01T14:29:00.000-07:00

My favorite things... (well some of them) When daddy is on the computer, he is often visited by three cute kiddos, they all have their spots and often turn a quiet rest into a wrestling match!

Little Rae loves her new baby brother, and flashy necklaces! I love this girl (and her big blue eyes!)

Just checkin' her email!

Lovin' her baby...

Mr. K worked all afternoon to build the ferris wheel, he was so excited that he built it all by himself! I love how he sets a goal and works and works until he is done!

Visiting Grandma's

2010-11-01T14:22:00.001-07:00

Meeting Great Grandma Turner
My kids are so lucky to have so many grandparents to love them.

We love going to see them often! The Boys with Great Grandma B!

Happy Faces!

Crazy Faces!! Even my sweet guy joined in!
We Love our Great Grandmas!

Then there were four!

2010-11-01T14:17:00.000-07:00

We are so blessed to have four sweet kiddos in our family!

Welcome to Our Sweet Guy!

2010-11-01T14:10:00.000-07:00

Stockton Ryan Gillings

September 27, 2010

7lbs. 8 oz. 21 inches

Welcome to our family you sweet little guy! We love you!

Who wants a Snow Cone?

2010-11-01T13:58:00.000-07:00

At the beginning of the summer Mr. K desperately wanted to have a lemonade stand on the side of the road. We compromised by having a bakesale! He made a list of people he wanted to invite, what he was going to sale, and how much it was all going to cost. The plan was to do his sale the first week of summer, however June did not cooperate, it rained, and rained, and rained.... So, the last friday of summer I let them do their sale. The kiddos helped me make rice krispie treats and suckers, they made fliers and passed them out to the neighbors, made a cute sign, set up, and waited for customers!

They had most of the neighborhood at their sale, even the power guy
stopped by for a summer treat!
Needless to say they were quite successful, after expenses were paid they each made $15! Paired with K's birthday money and the money he had previously saved he was able to buy Wii Mario Cart all by himself! So fun!

First Day of School

2010-11-01T13:52:00.000-07:00

This kid is a first grader! I have very mixed feelings about this new aspect of his life! He loves school and is learning so much... but I miss having him home during the day.

Last year Gavin had a great idea to go to an early breakfast on the first day of school !
I love this tradition so start off a new school year with a breakfast consisting of smiley face pancakes! Happy school year 2010!

Mr. K's 7th Birthday!

2010-11-01T13:45:00.000-07:00

This Cute Kiddo wanted a Doughnut birthday cake! We let him pick out a dozen or so doughnuts to share! I love this kid!
His very own CD player so he can jam on his own!

Mr. K wanted to go up the canyon for dinner and to skip rocks, so we loaded everyone up and went out for a fun adventure!

Happy Birthday Max

2010-11-01T13:37:00.000-07:00

Today we got a Birthday Card for Max from the Pet Store, we would have had him for 2 years this weekend... he would be 8. Happy Birthday dear friend, we miss you!

I got behind!

2009-10-24T20:54:00.000-07:00

I have been kind of a slacker and gotten behind, I kept thinking that I would catch up....but that was a daunting task, so I am starting from yesterday.. Here goes...

He Graduated!!

2009-06-30T22:50:00.000-07:00

Kayden has been attending my Mom's Pre-School since Cassidy was born! Yes, that means that he has gone to preschool for 3 and 1/2 years! He has loved every minute of it, but is ready to move on to KINDERGARTEN!! I can't believe I am old enough to have a child in Kindergarten! Maybe one more year of Pre-School wouldn't be so bad! I think that he would kill me. The day after he graduated he thought that he was headed to Kindergarten! It may be a really long summer!

Memorial Day Part 2

2009-06-30T22:43:00.000-07:00

My Grandma Bailey passed away two years ago this August, we love and miss her.
Beautiful Cassidy!

I don't mean to be disrespectful, but this was so funny! At one of the cemetaries we visited there were signs posted saying "Space Available" Kayden and Cassidy are saying "Pick me!!"

In loving memory..

2009-06-30T22:30:00.000-07:00

I love memorial day, I love the opportunity it gives us to remember loved ones who have gone on before us, and the many men and women who have fought for our freedom.
Lucie Page
I love to take a picture of Carson and Kayden at Lucie's grave. She would be almost six years old and getting ready for Kindergarten. I often wonder what she would be like.

Nana and Grandad's Grave

I only knew them for a short time before they passed away, but will never forget the precious memories that I have of them.

Taking flowers to the graves to pay their respects.

Great Grandma B, Gavin and Kayden

Remembering Grandpa Ray, a True Hero

Maddie's First Look at Max

2009-06-30T22:25:00.000-07:00

I guess babies can love dogs very young, Maddie LOVES looking at Max, whenever he come near her she gets the CUTEST smile on her face.
This is the very first time she ever saw Max, and loved him instantly! She has such a cute profile, especially when she saw her favorite furry friend!

Grandma B

2009-06-30T22:21:00.000-07:00

Aunt Tonna, and Grandma B came to visit Grandma Roxie!

We loved that Tonna and Grandma matched!
We love Grandma B!! Look at that snazzy jacket! So her!!

Pre-Summer Fun!!

2009-06-30T22:13:00.000-07:00

Goofy Kids playing in the Sprinker

It was really a little to cold to run through the sprinklers, but the sun was shining and all they wanted to do was run, I figure how could 10 minutes in the water hurt anyone?!

They had so much fun!!

Princess Rachael

2009-06-30T22:09:00.000-07:00

Rachael and her date Dallin Stone

The first time Cassidy saw Rachael in her dress she thought she was "the most BEAUTIFUL princess in the world!" I must agree! So beautiful!

The End of an Era...

2009-06-30T21:58:00.001-07:00

Many may or may not know of my family's love of Baseball, especially watching my "little" brother play. We have been all over watching him play, growing up I must admit it was not always my favorite past time, but I loved watching Pat. This year he graduated from

George Fox University and concluded his baseball career. I was lucky enough to go up with my Mom, Dad, Janelle , and my girls to watch his last games. It was bittersweet to see his baseball career come to an end, but I was so glad that I was able to see him do what he loved to do

one last time!! Love you Patty Cake!
Cassidy found the biggest potato bug I have ever seen on the GFU campus! She rightfully named him Big Joe. He provided two baseball games of fun, and was only lost a couple of times!

I love this picture of Pat and Cassidy!! So cute!

Our family after game four all dressed in our GFU gear! It was a great end to a great trip! Thanks Mom and Dad for letting us tag along!

MOAB 2009!

2009-04-23T22:36:00.000-07:00

Every year we go to Moab forSpring Break, this year Gavin, Kayden, and Max went on a Boys Only weekend!! Cute Kayden with Max! That little boy loves to go to Moab, Hike and play with his Dog!
Picture Perfect in Moab!

Happy Easter!

2009-04-23T22:29:00.000-07:00

Happy Easter!! All that Kayden wants in the world right now is Hot Wheels!

He was super excited to see five new trixters in his basket!
Our funny little Cassidy loves to make things out of tape, whether it is treat bags, party hats, purses, the sky is the limit! So the very wise Easter Bunny brought her two things that are extremely useful in her life... Tape and Bandaids! She was thrilled!

Madelyn in her cute little Easter Dress!

(Thank you Kevin)

Our Cute Family all Dressed-up for Church!!

A Month of Maddie!!

2009-04-23T22:19:00.001-07:00

Sweet Madelyn doing what she does best... Sleeping!

1 Week Old! We love our Baby Sister! Everytime either one of them would hold her they would say "Quick mom take our picture!!"

How do you not take pictures when she poses like this, so sweet.

Cassidy loves holding Maddie right before she goes to bed, when Maddie is hungry she gives Cass kisses (or sucks on her face) she thinks it is SO funny!

Who said girls can't wear blue!? Madelyn is so much fun!

I got behind on my blogging because we have had a crazy month, we had a new baby, I got an infection, five days later was rushed to the ER with an allergic reaction, but we are all doing well and just enjoying being a family of five!

It's A GIRL!

2009-03-30T16:04:00.001-07:00

Introducing...

Madelyn Rae Gillings

Born on March 20, 2009 at 12:36pm

5lb. 13oz.

Proud Parents

Kayden and Cassidy Loved Maddie the second they saw her!

Cassidy was especially excited to see her new baby sister!

Madelyn is such a sweet baby, she sleeps all day and night,

when she cries it is barely audible!

She just loves to be cuddled and loved. Too bad that is all that I do all day because she is so sweet! We Love Her!

Blowing Bubbles and Favorite Trees 2008

2008-12-30T20:18:00.001-08:00

My kids loved this! They stood on the step stool in the middle while the "elf" pulled the bubble up around them! Kayden blew a huge bubble on the side of his! Cassidy wasn't so sure this was for her, however she did just wake up before stepping on the stool!
Here are a few of our favorite trees of 2008! Enjoy!

A Cullen Christmas!

My favorite Twlight Tree!

BYU vs. Uof U Rivalry Trees

The Grinch Tree with our Cousins!

Kayden's Favorite Tree "The Coal Mining Tree"
He loved this tree becuase of the train going around the bottom!
So Fun!

The Gingerbread House Tree!

Cassidy's Favorite Tree!
High School Musical!!

A Joyous Noel

2008-12-30T20:13:00.000-08:00

My Grandma Bailey passed away in August of 2007 so this year I dedicated my tree to her. It was called a Joyous Noel and was decorated in dolls, pinks and lace, three things that she loved and remind me of her!

Festival of Trees

2008-12-30T20:05:00.001-08:00

I love the festival of trees! I have been going for years, and the last three have donated a tree of my own! My kids love going up to see all the trees and the fun activities that they have for them!

Ice Skating Adventures!

2008-12-22T09:11:00.000-08:00

We got to go Ice Skating with my family over Thanksgiving Break while Uncle Pat was here!

Kayden was finally getting it when we left, Cassidy just wanted to be on the skates! It was a lot of fun!

Our new dog Max!

2008-12-05T20:29:00.000-08:00

For months my kids and husband have been DYING to get a dog, and finally I gave in.. so introducing our new family member...

MAX

Max is a four year old pure bred German Shepherd, who is a great dog. He doesn't bark, doesn't jump or sniff you to death, his only down fall is his LOVE of fetch!

I'm so Glad when Daddy is Home!

2008-12-05T20:26:00.001-08:00

We have a great daddy!! Kayden and Cassidy love when he comes home, unfortunately they want totally different things from him! Kayden immediately wants to wrestle with him, and Cassidy grabs the "big" blankey to nuggle with him. He is a great sport to do both!
We love you Gavin!

The First Snow!

2008-12-05T20:13:00.000-08:00

The morning after the first snow Mike jokingly asked Cassidy (who hates snow) if she would like to go play in the snow. She surprised us all when she said yes, and quickly got out her hat, gloves and jacket! She had Mike make her a snowman, who was frowning because she doesn't like snow, then they shovelled all the walks and driveway, and cleaned the snow off the cars (including the little jeep). Mike kept thinking he was done, but Cass thought he needed to get rid of all the snow right then!
So Proud of their Sad Snowman!

Here is Cassidy making sure Grandpa is doing all his work to her standard! Such a funny little girl!

Trunk Or Treating!

2008-12-05T20:09:00.000-08:00

Trunk or Treat! I built this haunted house and put it on the back of Gavin's truck! It was the highlight of the Trunk or Treat even though some kids were a little too scared to go in!

Kayden was the Black Power Ranger (although he has never actually watched Power Rangers that is what he had to be!) Cassidy is an East High Cheerleader and I was a witch!

Showin' off their Best Moves!

Carving Pumpkins

2008-12-05T20:03:00.000-08:00

Gavin wanted a scary pumpkin, Cassidy wanted a princess pumpkin and Kayden wanted his to look like a bad guy!

Kayden looking like his Pumpkin!

Everyone excited to scoop out the guts!

Donuts and Halloween!

2008-11-18T22:07:00.000-08:00

The last two years we have opted for a cousin Halloween party instead of trick or treating with the cousins. The favorite activity of everyone is the Donut eating contest!

Third times the Charm?!

2008-11-18T21:59:00.000-08:00

Our poor accident prone Cassidy has done it again! A week before Halloween she was playing at our friends house, and fell off their playset ladder. She crashed on her chin and ended up with 6 stitches! You think that she would learn to be a little more cautious since this is the third trip we have made to the Doctor for stitches in just over a year!

Out with the Old..

2008-11-18T21:49:00.000-08:00

In with the new! Last year we bought a 2004 Dodge Ram and have loved it... but, Gavin's new job requires him to have truck that is no more than five years old, and since the 2009's are coming out we had to buy a new truck. Exit 2004 truck, enter our new 2006 Dodge Ram MEGA CAB! My kids and Gavin obviously love it. The cab is HUGE, Kayden can't even put his feet on the back of our seats. We have truly spoiled ourselves this time as it has... heated leather seats, a navigation system, and a DVD player. As Kayden says, "It has everything that I wanted!"

Painting with Cousins!

2008-11-18T20:56:00.000-08:00

We are lucky enough to have cousins that we love to play with! Here is a few shots of them painting model cars and birdhouses, it was so much fun!

Sept. 30, Dear Lucie...

2008-11-18T20:49:00.000-08:00

Five years ago, my sister in law lost her sweet baby on Sept. 30 due to complications with the delivery. Each year since we have made a blanket and donated it to the hospital where she was born. Their family has moved to NY so Mandy and I have continued this tradition. Happy 5th Birthday Lucie! Love, us.

Finally...

2008-11-18T20:30:00.001-08:00

Several friends and family members have told me that I need to start a blog. I have been putting it off because my daughter conveniently washed my digital camera, but I can't blame it on that anymore as I have a CD full of pictures from my sisters that I borrowed/stole for the last month or so. (Thanks Rach!) Enjoy our family blog!