Update...

Ok, so we've been kind of busy, and FB seems to have taken place of the good ol' blog, but things are happening here at the Gimpel Ranch...


So, Ross finally took his GMAT (the standardized test required for business school admission) on the road to working towards his MBA... Well, let's just say I did better than I hoped and now I might have to figure out how to pay for it! I really got myself worked up over this test and now onward and upward!

Ayla had her 1st Birthday on 4/27, but we celebrated on the 25th. The 25th is also Cindy's b-day, so it was a dual celebration.

We set up on the dining room deck, decorations and flowers by Ali. It was simple yet elegant...

Gerber daisies, 75 degrees and perfect, a very nice day!



Blowing out the candle...



Cake!


Ali and Jamie grew up together and had not seen each other in something like 12 years... With Jamie's daughter Kallie. It was a sweet reuniion, Cindy cried (not a huge surprise).


New ball, pink ball, happy girl!


We gave Ayla a new baby, she LOVES her!

Well, it's been an amazing year and more to come. Thanks to everyone we love for all of the support and smiles!!!


Good night!

A "Little Family" fun!

Here are some pics from our visit with friends Bob, Kim, Jack & Macy (aka the Little Family). We had a great time & can't wait to be together again!

Macy & Ross

Jack & Ayla

Ross, Ayla, Jack & Bob

Dr. Seuss Day & Other Randomness...

Ayla having breakfast...

She loves to feed me Cheerios & Puffs!

Visiting my classroom on Dr. Seuss Day

Squealing with glee during the story...

Hanging with the first graders...

Giving "100% attentive listening"...

Getting to the good part of the story...

Yay for Dr Seuss!!!!!!

Ayla had lunch with Grammy & new friends Makayla & Ryan the other day...

Makayla & Ryan's mommy, Lee, also joined the fun!

A Very Happy Valentine's Day

Ross & I have never really celebrated Valentine's Day per se. But when Ross accidentally told me he loved me on V-Day 2005 we began calling it "Love Proclamation Day" and we've celebrated ever since. Now we have our own little Valentine to celebrate with! Here's how we spent the day :)

Ross always manages to find my favorite flowers (Stargazer Lillies)!

Our funny Valentine!

After a lovely lunch, we decided to be around some decent folks & get all full of culture 'n stuff... The Crocker Art Museum was having a showing of Buddahs. We didn't know how Ayla would do, but knowing she just LOVES being out & about with people we gave it a try...

She did AMAZING! She was full of giggles & smiles & made a lot of friends at the museum. Of course the ball & teething biscuit did wonders for her ability to hang as well ;)

That night we gave Ayla her very own balloon... she saw them at my classroom party & hasn't been the same since!

Happy Love Proclamation Day <3

Chow Time

mmmm....

Waving "Hhhhhaaa" to the camera!

"Look lady, I don't take pictures of you while you eat!"

This eating stuff is HILARIOUS!

"I love chow time... well, sometimes... just don't try to shove a spoon in my mouth & nobody gets hurt!"

Big Girl Bath Time & Other Big 9 Month Old Stuff

I couldn't resist posting a picture of Ayla taking her first "Big Girl" bath in the tub... she has out grown her baby bath & has finally graduated to the big tub. She was a little upset in this picture because Mommy isn't allowed to participate in bath time unless she is the one giving the bath... otherwise it's just too upsetting but the "criggles" stop as soon as I leave... according to Ross, she was trying to crawl in the tub too... her new favorite thing is to be on her tummy and/ or up on her hands & knees.

Ayla's also pretty good at taking steps & walking if we hold her hands. She can wave "hi" & says the "hhhhh" sound when she does it, she gives high fives, kisses, & claps her hands when you say "Yay" (or sing Patty Cake & If Your Happy & You Know It)... & I swear she just about said "ball" while playing this morning! She now has her 2 bottom teeth poking out & they are SHARP!!! I think she's working on an upper tooth now.
She laughs constantly & is figuring out that she can make us laugh too. Her goofy little personality is really starting to shine :)

Is she really 9 months old already?????
WOW! Her birthday invites will be going out soon enough!

Back to School...

For those of you who may not know, Ross has been busy studying for the GMAT & getting his application materials together to return to school next Fall to receive his MBA. This will be a 2- 3 year commitment of going to school at night 2 nights a week while still managing his (over) full time job & being an amazing husband & father.

While there are no specific prerequisites for applying to the business schools of his choice, he has decided to take the plunge & enroll in an accelerated double course this semester in Micro & Macro Economics. This will help give him some useful background knowledge as well as reacquaint him with the world of academia.

Tonight was his first night of school! Ayla & I are so proud of everything our amazing man does for us on a daily basis & this is just another example of his selflessness & dedication to our family... WE LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now please to enjoy some pictures of the "Dork" on his way out the door... WHAT? Just read his jacket!