Happy Birthday to my Austin!!

Wow - 2 posts in one day!! I can't forget about my baby's 6th birthday! Austin turned 6 on Saturday, the 21st. We had his party on the Friday before due to Soccer games and such. Good thing we had his party on Friday because it was beautiful out. Over 60 degrees, sunny and clear skies. He had a few friends come over and we did "old" party games like the 3 legged race and passing of the orange with your chins. We also did a pinanta. It was a fun party!! On Saturday we woke him up by singing "Happy Birthday". He then got his 6 spanks, a pinch to grow and inch and a sock to grow a block. He didn't like the pinch too much LOL!! Had a quick breakfast and then off to his Soccer game in the cold BRRRRR. It was in the low 40's and very windy. Poor kid was so cold on the soccer field but he did good. After that we headed home and just hung around the house. He opened up all his toys and had fun playing. When I asked what he wanted for his Birthday dinner, he requested McDonalds!! Brought the food home and had a movie night with the boys. I think he had a great day!! Here a few pics from over the years. Enjoy :)

Austin was born 2 months early. He was such a trooper. I keep these pictures to remind me just how far he has come.


His 1st Birthday


His 2nd Birthday


Austin when he was 3 with Cole at Easter


Austin's 4th Birthday


Austin's 5th Birthday


My Big 6 Year Old!! Happy Birthday Baby!!

Catching up

Realizing I haven't posted anything since November (oops) I thought I would catch up on what is going on. We had a wonderful Holiday season. Traveled to Arkansas to spend Thanksgiving with Brad's parents and brother. The boys love going to Nana and Poppy's house. We always have such a great time there. Brad's mom is fighting cancer so we try to get up there often. After Thanksgiving, we were busy with Cub Scouts and school. We then traveled to Minnesota for Christmas (no, we are not crazy LOL) We drove up on the Sunday before Christmas. I wanted to drive up in one day but it took a little longer than we wanted. Ended up having to drive slower due to ice in Iowa. Got in about 10:30 pm. It was sure cold, -5 degrees!!! The next morning the boys were so exctied to see snow. It was the first time to see Real snow!! But it was too cold to go out and play so we went to The Mall of America instead. They loved the Lego Land area and the amusment park in the mall. We were staying with my brother Todd and his family. My parents also drove up from Dallas and my brother Jeff flew in from Conn. It was so nice having everyone together. By the end of the week, it had warmed up enough to go outside. We even got to go sledding (my favorite part!!) The boys loved it. We headed home on Saturday but took two days this time. We were so glad to be home but I was so glad we were able to have a White Christmas!!

After Christmas, we got back into the swing of things - school, cub scouts and work. At the end of Jan., Cold had his pinewood derby race for Cub Scouts. He was so excited this year. Brad and Cole worked really hard on his car and he came in 2nd place. He was so proud!!


At the begining of Feb. the boys started Soccer. Cole's team is the Texas Tornados and Austin's is Plano United. We have only had a few games but I think they are going to enjoy playing. This is the second time Cole has played but the first for Austin.

Now that you are up to speed, I will try to keep up with this blog more often :)

State Fair of Texas Oct 2008

I am trying to catch up on my posts.

We headed to the State Fair this year with my parents. The boys and I had not been to the Fair in 4 years and my parent's had never been. We had some passes from school for the boys and luckily met a someone on the train who gave us free passes for the adults! We thought "yay we saved a little money" little did we know what we were in for once we got to the fair. So we decided to take the Dart train to the fair. The boys were so excited.


At the Train Station


Waiting for the train

We finally got there and decided to get on the skyway first. We were on a mission to find the Famous Corn Dogs.

Mom with the boys on the Skyway

Once we got off the skyway, we were in front of Big Tex. You can't go to the fair and not get a picture with Big Tex LOL


We then found the corn dogs and they were awesome!!! After we finished eating we looked at the cars they had on display. They boys loved getting into the Hummer and several of the other cars. While we were on the skyway, they saw all the rides so we made our way to the rides stopping at different areas along the way. We found the petting zoo and could not believe the animals they had in there. Here a few we saw..


An adorable baby Giraffe


Baby Goats


A baby Zebra

The boys had enough of the animals and were begging to go on the rides. The boys have not been on many rides so we weren't sure which ones they would like. They found a few though..


As they were coming around, Austin was holding on for dear life. But he told us that he LOVED IT!!


Cole rode on this one by himself. He said he felt like he was flying.


Austin rode on this one by himself - literally there was no one else on it but him. He still had fun though.

The last ride we all rode on together. We went on the Big Ferris Wheel. We were up so high and were able to see the Dallas Skyline and all of the fair.


Waiting in line for the Ferris Wheel


View of the fair


The Dallas Skyline

We were exhausted, broke and ready to go home. Mom and I decided we would go next year but we would make sure to save up a lot of money first LOL!!

Air Show at Alliance Airport

This year we decided to head over to the Air Show. This happens every year and we were so excited about going. So we all loaded up in the car to head over. While waiting in line to park, the jets were flying over head and were so loud. The boys could not contain their excitement. We finally got parked and headed to the gates. The planes were still flying the whole time and we had to stop and look every few steps. Once we got in the gates there were several planes for us to look at up close. The boys were in awe.






Our future pilot?




The Jets at the end were so amazing. They put on an hour show. We can't wait to go back next year!!

Walking home from school

We had some really beautiful days so I decided to walk to school to pick up the boys. It is about a 15 min walk to and from. Of course the boys weren't too excited about walking home LOL Charlie sure liked it though. One day I decided to take the camera and got a few shots of our beautiful neighborhood.


This is the creek that runs behind our house.


Cole so excited about walking home


Cole walking Charlie


AJ running ahead

We had such a nice time walking home and we are looking forward to doing it again once it warms up.

Plano Balloon Festival

We headed over to the Balloon Festival on Sunday night and met up with my parents. The boys were so excited but first they had to get someting to eat...


Cole eating his favorite - Corn Dog



Austin and Pap Pap trying to stay in the shade

Then Brad and Cole did some walking around to see the sights while Austin, my parents and I went to find a good place to watch the skydivers come in. Here are a few pictures Brad took..







Now onto the balloons. I love watching them all prepare to fly. We were able to get great seats to watch all the action. They boys were enjoyed the balloons but also loved running up and down the hill LOL!! Here are a few of my favorite shots...






The boys being silly





Brothers






The boys and Pap Pap


Brad and my mom




Cole & Gamma


Austin & Gamma

We had a great time. We decided that we would come on Saturday night next year. More balloons and different types of balloons are there at that time. Also have to make sure we get our funnel cake next year too!!!

First day of School!!

Cole started 2nd grade this year and Austin started Kindergarten. They were very excited to start and see their friends.

My sweet baby sleeping - I know I know, he is not a baby anymore :(


Cole snoozing away


Austin getting dressed


What Cole was doing while Austin was getting dressed


Cole finally getting up


Charlie, you can't have my shoe!!!


All ready!!


Walking in


Austin getting into his locker - what a big boy!!


They had a great day! I was a nervous mess all day. I knew Austin would be fine but I still worried about him. The rest of the week got better. He met some friends on the first day and was excited to go back. Cole has the same teacher he had in Kindergarten and has several of his friends in class with him. Just have to make sure my social butterfly pays attention to class and not his friends. It is kind of nice to have the quiet around the house but by 2pm I am usually ready to pick them up!!