5 years ago. . .

A beautiful baby boy was born to the Marcano family. What trepidation I felt to be raising a boy! But how sweet he was and how sweet he has been all these years. My little knight in shining armor, chivalrous, noble, generous, kind, smart, loving, charming, honest, passionate, playful, grateful, and strong spirited. Gavin has lived up to his name and makes me proud to call him my son.

June 16, 2008

October 2008 - Gavin's baby blessing

Gavin at 14 months taking his first steps!

Gavin age 2 helping with cookies

Gavin age 3 - Family Vacation to Utah

Gavin age 3 with his sister

Gavin turns 4 on June 16, 2012 at Gattitown

Gavin celebrates turning 5 on June 16, 2013

The day began with us celebrating Father's Day for Jhonny. Gavin was a little jealous that it wasn't all about him right then. I assured him his time was coming. At church, he got recognized for his birthday with a card to redeem in the Bishop's office. He was allowed to choose a boy toy and one piece of candy. He was so excited and said, "I never knew you had a bag of toys! Thank you!" He proudly showed off the set of cars he chose. For dinner he got a "special plate." He had to wait for Jhonny and I to get a nap before we had cake and ice cream and opened the first of his gifts. Tomorrow we plan to celebrate at his Montessori school and on Saturday he is getting a HORSE party!! Woohoo! I'm excited for him to get an opportunity to ride a horse. I'm afraid I can't afford to buy him one, but this is the next best thing.

Two nights ago, Gavin prayed that he and Lily wouldn't fight anymore. At the time, Lily was letting him sleep with her in her bed. Lily was a little offended by his prayer. I thought it was nice that he didn't want to fight anymore and prayed for help. The next day, he was having apples for a snack. Lily asked for one. At first he didn't want to share, but after a moment he jumped up and took one of the cut up pieces to her. When I asked why he replied, "Well she let me sleep in her bed last night. I can be nice to her." What a thoughtful little boy. He has really gone out of his way to be nice to his sister.

Some things don't change.

It's been hard to leave Round Rock Ward. We loved it there and we still have good friends there. Jhonny assured me that the church is still the same in Old Settlers Ward. Too true. Our second week the Bishopric was released and the Elder's Quorum President was called into the new one. So a change in the Elder's Quorum presidency was inevitable.
This past week, Jhonny got a call from the stake. I was not surprised. I was less surprised to find out that he was being called to be the second counselor in the Elder's Quorum presidency. Same calling different ward. I guess the Lord isn't finished with him there yet.
When Jhonny inquired of the new president how he knew of him, he said, "I was looking at the ward roster and I stopped at your name." Jhonny asked if he knew he had been the second counselor in RR ward. He said, "No, I never saw you before." Hmmm.

Spring Break events

 Ammon nearly 10 months

 Gavin

 Lily with the fish

 Jessica leading the way

 

Spring Break was kind of uneventful. We planned to spend the week packing and we did some. In the middle of the week, I went to the temple with some friends while Jhonny took the day off from packing and took the kids to the Austin Nature Reserve and then to a creek near the all abilities park so they could wade around in it. It's probably a good thing I wasn't there. I don't think I would have said okay to swimming in a mucky looking creek. I'm glad they didn't get bit by lingering snakes in the area. In our stress, I didn't stop to take 10 month old pics of Ammon. This is about as close as we will get of that. It looks like they had fun. It's hard to believe the weather was rather hot then. This weekend it's dropped down to the 50's-60's. Two months ago it was up in the 80's-90's.

Lily's 7th Bday party

It was also our Easter celebration. I'm afraid we didn't do much more after this very well attended party.

 I can't believe this girl is SEVEN! One more year and she'll be getting baptized. Wow!

We celebrated on March 29th although her real birthday is April 10th. But this year conference was the weekend before and Camp Champions was the weekend after. Then we closed on our house and spent the last two weekends in April moving. So it was either March 29th or sometime at the end of May. Lily has been anticipating this since January so I figured early was better than later. She was in seventh heaven with all the friends and a suprise showing from her cousins with Grandma and Grandpa Ellis from Houston! What a lucky little girl.

Texas concert

Lily had her first grade Texas music concert. She sang the entire state song and few other favorites. It was a fun night. She looked forward to it for a long time and serenaded me often. I was impressed that she could learn all those lyrics.

Trying on her Texas outfit in the middle of packing boxes to move.

Valentines Dates

Gavin and I got our annual date the night before Jhonny took the girls to the Daddy daughter dance. A great time was had by all. Here are a few pics from way back then. I can't believe I haven't posted!!

 Gavin and I went to the park followed by dinner at Freddys and then on to Walmart for a few treats. Last year I gave him a frog. This year he was excited to get a little bear with hershey kisses. Last week he asked if we could go on another date. Sweet boy.

 The girls were excited to get a gift from dad.

Ammon celebrates 11 months!

That cookie is Goooooood!