Here Comes Santa Claus

On Saturday we heard from friends that Santa would be in town to meet all the little girls and boys, so with this news we had to take you to your first Santa visit.  Right away you thought Santa was magical, you enjoyed looking at his glasses and bearded face.  You were very gentle as you sat on his lap.  

Brothers and Cousins

                                           At 9 months you've mastered the pincer grasp.  I saw these beautiful poinsettias and wanted to sit you and Rory in front to get a good picture.  I sat you boys on rugs so that you wouldn't be interested in the pebbles, my plan didn't work.  In a matter of seconds you popped a rock in your mouth.  Mom panicked a little and turned you face down and fished it out with my finger.  This incident was a slight reminder of what I'm in for.  You are busy and not even barely mobile yet...YIKES!  

                                          Family pics.

After a fun filled day, here you are zonked out in your crib.  This sleeping position was a new one and we got a kick out of it.  Usually now you sleep on your belly or on your back with your favorite tabby fleecy blue blanket that Melisa made you.  

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Thanksgiving Photos

Just a few pics of you at Thanksgiving time.  It was Thanksgiving when you had your first feast full of turkey, sweet potatoes, and stuffing.  I think this was your happiest day to date!  You were happy to be in your chair eating the delicious food.  With almost every bite you responded with, "mmm."

Here you are at 8 1/2 months.  Austin, I hope that as you grow you will always be surrounded by friends...friends young and old.  Karin and Vernon are our neighbors that your daddy and I met when we moved into our house 6 years ago.  We love them like family!  They love you like their own grandson.  We visit them almost every other day.  They shower you with kisses and laugh at your silly moves.  You bring them much joy.    

 You and your Abu dressed up for the Broncos.

 Here you are thinking about crawling.   You get around by slithering and rolling.

 Meeting Tyler for the first time.

 Your Uncle Jer and Auntie Janna at Thanksgiving.  We enjoyed staying out late and playing cards.

 You with your Uncle Derek and Alisha.  Uncle D is away at college at U of I, so unfortunately he only sees you during the holidays.  We look forward to Christmas time.  When you where just born everyone thought you looked like Derek.

Happy Halloween!

I never really got to think what you'd be for Halloween, because when football season arrived dad came home with a Bronco suit just for you.  We knew you'd look pretty cute.  Babies in costumes = precious!
On Saturday we were invited to a Halloween party, since you where the Bronco, dad was Coach Pete and I was the Bronco Girl with her horse Willie.  I made the horse out of dad's sock, and with some other things we had around the house.  I was pretty proud with my craftiness and I can hardly wait until you pretend play and will NEED a stick horse!

Cousin Rory's 1st Birthday

Early this October Rory turned one year old!  Jer and Janna threw a nice party celebrating Rory.  We sure had fun!  Janna wasn't sure if Rory would even touch the cake...enjoy the pics and see how much Rory loved his own chocolate cake!  Rory is already walking, saying a few words, and smiles constantly.  He is such a great happy little boy!  We love you Rory!!!

 

My Overflowing Heart

Well it is hard to believe that just seven months ago you were excitedly brought into this world!  Seven months ago was the best day in our lives.  We were blessed to be given a precious son.  Tonight, while I was feeding you I had these thoughts about how my love for you continues to grow.  And then I started thinking about how our hearts and minds are amazing in that we can enjoy the emotion of love.  And how our hearts must be huge in that it has the capability to continue to fill up with love time and time again.  It was at this moment that I didn't want to forget you and your sweet face that led me to this thinking, so I snapped a picture of you.

The more I know you precious child the more I love you.  I love that I am your mom.  I love your rolls and knowing that I have nourished you.  I love your chubby fingers that pull on my strands of hair.  I love your toes that almost always curl when you are concentrating.  I love your silliness.  I love when you sing, even when dad and I say you have a terrible voice because you only know one note.  I love how excited you get to see us in the morning.  I love looking into your gleaming eyes because they are full of hope and love.  I love strolling you because outside calms you instantly.  I love watching you play, you squeal in delight and scream when you're frustrated.  I love putting you to sleep at night because we get to enjoy all these things and more the next day.  I love you my sweet child today and forever!

Growing, Growing, and Still Growing.  The following pics are of Austin at 1 week, 3 months, and 6 months.

     

Off To Your Great Grandparents You Go!

This was Austin's first trip to Couer d'Alene Lake to visit Great Grandma Liz and Great Papa Norm.  It was pretty special to take you here because your daddy would visit this place every summer and the lake was one of his favorite childhood memories.  And now Austin we hope that this will also be yours!  At almost six months we can already tell that you love the outdoors and even cold lake water! :)

Norm and Liz have had this spot on the lake since the 1960's and every summer they return to Lake Couer d'Alene except this was there first time that they didn't stay the whole summer.  However we were lucky to meet up with them.  They were so excited to see you.  They hadn't seen you in two months and they couldn't believe how much you've grown.

The Honeymoon sweet!  This is a cute and cozy little room that we stay in.  You had long naps each day after your daily swims.

This is a view from the gigantic deck.  Absolutely beautiful!

You and your daddy on your way to the lake.

Daddy should be a photographer!  I love this picture.  The contrasting colors are amazing and this captures the calm evenings on the water.  

Snaps of you and your great grandparents

 You enjoyed the company of your great grandma and grandpa and they enjoyed you!

So sweet and snugly!

  Every night we would sit around the fire and eat s'mores.  You especially got a kick from the popping noise from the fire.  Oh how it made you giggle!

The older generation with the new!  I love the special bond that your great grandparents share with you.

BEACH BUMS

Your daddy and I have always felt like we've got this magnetic pull towards the water.  The water is therapeutic and one of God's greatest creations.  We enjoy vacationing where there is water, and we are happy to take you with us because you are such a fish!

We were delighted to have the warm sun and water during the second week in September.  

 "Hmm dad this looks a little different than Popsy's pool but what do you say, should we give it a go?"

 "Yup, I'm liking that!"

 Since around four months you've been putting everything in your mouth and you continue to do that.

Our last day there until next summer, we can hardly wait!

  Before departing we have this tradition to fill our tummies at The Couer d'Alene Casino with the grandparents before heading back.  

 Wiped Out!  
 So far like any trip that you've had you play hard and sleep well.  Sleep sweet child!