Happy Birthday Big Guy!

Our little man turned 3 today. He would say he is a "men" ( "we're mens, right Daddy?") and then break into the men's song (men, men, men). The last 3 years have just flown by. Gabe isn't a baby anymore and he isn't even the baby in the house anymore.

As he turns 3 Gabe appears to have found a new source of energy, one with a limitless supply. This energy, bordering on hyper, is exhausting mom and dad but there is only one word to describe our boy and that is...FUN! From the time he gets up in the morning until his last words in the evening, Gabe is hilarious.

Here are some of the other things we LOVE about Gabe:

* His vocabulary... spend a little time with him and Gabe will at some point certainly inform you about your "options."

* His singing...Gabe has a song for everything. One day while having lunch Gabe started to tell me how Ellie whines and cries and chews on his toys (this is only partially true). He then immediately broke into the chorus of a song called "Bad Babies," which goes like this "bad bad babies they whine and they cry, bad bad babies we don't know why."

* The way he calls anything he doesn't know the name for, thingydoodle.

* His storytelling. Gabe has an amazing imagination. One evening at dinner he told us a 20 minute story about the farm that was pictured on our gallon of milk.

* How loving he is. Gabe is the first to say I love you to Mom, Dad, Abby or Ellie. He is quick with hugs and kisses for the whole family. This is a conversation that occurred recently at lunch:

Gabe: I love you Momma.

Mom: I love you more Gabe.

Gabe: I love you more than cheese Momma. (This is indeed high praise, Gabe really

loves cheese).

Some pictures of Gabe at just a few weeks old. It is hard to believe he was ever that tiny.

Some pictures of Gabe today enjoying his birthday. Wow - has he grown!

Happy Birthday Gabe! We Love YOU!

Rochesterfest FUN..

Last week there was a week long event here known as Rochesterfest. There are many activities (hot air balloons, dog Frisbee contest, breakfast on the farm, parade etc.) and an entire street in Rochester that is closed down and filled with fair food vendors - YUM! We enjoy Rochesterfest every year and try to take in as many family activities as possible. We also try to consume as much fair food as possible!

On Wednesday night we went down for Family Fun Night. There are lots of free activities for the kids. Abby and Gabe got to paint a house in the Children's Museum of Rochester exhibit.

They also got to ride in a little train.


And shoot a real fire hose with the help of a real fireman!



Poor Ellie was too little this year and had to watch most of the events from the sidelines. Next year she will be able to keep up with the big kids.
Abby and Gabe shared a snow cone. How adorable is that?!?


On Friday night we attended the grand parade. We went early so we could again feast on the delectable fair food. Grandpa and Grandma G. joined us. We appreciated the extra helping hands at the parade!




Other friends joined us for parade watching as well. Here are Tammy, Joe and Isabella standing for the flag passing by. Isa already knows to cover her heart, that is pretty patriotic for a two-year old!

Our friends, Jeff, Polly, Eric, Gina and Luke took in the parade as well.

Some things...mostly the motorcycles were TOO LOUD for Gabe.

Abby and Gabe waiting to run out and catch candy. Yes, a trip to the candy aisle at Target would be safer and easier but in the minds of Abby and Gabe not nearly as much fun.

Ellie and Grandma Patt waiting for the parade to begin.

Father's Day!

We enjoyed celebrating Phil's first Father's Day with 3 kids! We gave him gifts on Saturday because we were too excited to wait until Sunday. Since it rained much of Sunday it was a good thing he got his gifts early. The kids gave Phil a water gun and enticed him into a water fight. He also got a portable fire pit and marshmallows and chocolate so we could make smores!

Daddy opening his gifts. Gabe and Abby were pretty excited

Let the games begin.Poor kids don't stand a chance against Daddy and his new weapon.

Ah, building a fire. Almost like our pre-kid camping days.
Smores are good!
Ditto!
Ditto, Ditto!

Without these three there wouldn't be a reason to celebrate Daddy's Day at the Germann House. Happy Father's Day Dad - WE LOVE YOU!

A visit from Grandma Ruby...

Grandma Ruby (Julie's mom) made it over for the grand birthday party and stayed a little extra to get to know the newest member of the family and play with Gabe and Abby.

Swinging with Ellie.

Catching bugs with Gabe.

Playing dominoes with Gabe.

A weekend of Birthday Celebrating...

Boy, are we behind on the blog. Phil says it is a sign that we have settled back into normal life. Two weekends ago (June 13/14) we had a birthday party for Abby and Gabe on Saturday. With all three kiddos having summer birthdays we realized that if we do not combine some parties we would spend every weekend of the summer having a party. Abby and Gabe did not mind sharing their party though I did have to reassure Abby several times that there would be presents for both of the them. The weather cooperated for some outdoor water fun and I think everyone had a great time.

Gabe liked turning the sprinkler into a weapon!

Abby and counsin Derek filling water balloons.

Gabe appears to be apprehensive about water balloons.

Isabella and Abby look so cute in their matching swim suits.

Sunbathing beauties (Angela, Alissa and Abby) looking a little too much like teenagers.

It was a farm birthday party and Gabe wanted a tractor cake. Aunt Laura made it for him.

Abby got a lamb cake. Thanks Aunt Laura!

Blowing out the candles!

What we have been up to...

Standing and Crawling

Ellie pulled herself into standing position for the first time on Thursday May 28th. On Saturday May 30th she started crawling on her hands and knees. We had been out to dinner for a friend's 40th birthday on Saturday night. We had a sitter for Abby and Gabe but we took Ellie with us. Ellie got restless in the restaurant so we left before dessert. When we got home we put her on the floor and she spied on the floor the most coveted of all items, the remote control, and quick as anything she just crawled to get the remote. We were happy to witness the first crawling and to catch it on video tape. Now 5 days later it is as if she could always crawl this way and she is getting FAST.

The first standing.
Not the first crawling but a reenactment a few days later.


Look at her go. Look to the right side of the picture and you will see what is causing her to move so quickly...yes the coveted remote!

Enjoying her victory!

Losing Teeth (or Tooth)

Today Abby lost her second tooth. It was the last real day of school and she said it was her best day because she got three treats and her tooth came out. Much like a shark she already has a tooth waiting to move into it's place so she won't have a hole in her mouth for long.

And Eating

Gabe cleaning up the whisk after we made chocolate pudding for afternoon snack.

Even chocolate covered that is a CUTE face!

We take a lot of pictures of eating. Perhaps it is because we like to eat! Here is the fam enjoying orange push ups on the front step.

Gabe LOVED it!