Lake Tahoe 2015

We spent August 29-September 5 at Lake Tahoe!!  It was a wonderful trip and we are thankful that MiMi and Big Deal have a condo there for us to escape to.  We flew on Southwest on Saturday and had to make a stop in Phoenix to change planes.  Austin enjoyed being plugged into headphones and watching Monsters Inc or Planes on the Kindle the whole time, over and over.  Talk about tunnel vision.  He also enjoyed all of the snacks he wanted.  Anything goes on an airplane with kids, right?    Too bad Campbell is never that entertained or interested in snacks....but he sure loves to walk the airplane aisles!  He is not much for sitting still AT ALL.  Oh well, at least there wasn't any turbulence so the time that the seat belt sign was on was the minimal.  Campbell did not nap on the plane even after much trying to get him to fall asleep.  

MiMi picked us up at the Reno airport and Campbell finally napped for about 40 minutes on the way to Incline Village, Nevada.  We unpacked and set up all 4 of us in the master room - Austin on a pallet on the floor and Campbell in a pac n play.  It actually worked out well and much better than last year considering Campbell doesn't wake up at night anymore and wake us all up.  The boys even napped in the same room at the same time.  The weather was PERFECT the whole week, with a little wind added in.  The temperatures were in the low 70's for highs and low 40's for lows.  My morning runs with Campbell were so refreshing (opposite of the Houston summer mornings which feel like a rainforest).  David and Austin walked around the Hyatt property and threw rocks in the creek each morning while I ran with Campbell.  

We played mini golf three times during the week - twice in Kings Beach which is about 15 minutes from the condo and once in South Lake Tahoe which is about 30-40 minutes away.  We also went to the Northstar ski resort where they had some summer activities - the bungee jumping and a thing called the spider web (see picture below).  Austin did both of these and had a blast!  David tried the bungee jumping and climbed the spider web once with Austin and did NOT have a blast.  Let's just say both were uncomfortable.  Guess that's why they are made for kids....  Another thing we did this year was try a family hike.  Since we didn't have a hiking backpack with us and we also wanted Austin to try hiking the whole way, we chose a hike that was flat around Spooner Lake.  It was a two mile loop around the lake that was compatible for the BOB stroller.  It was fun to get out and try something different.  Austin kept asking "where are we going?" as we tried to explain that we are out to hike and look at God's creation with no real destination but following the trail back to our car.  He struggled with that one but did make it most of the way with only a short break to ride on daddy's shoulders.  I had hoped to try a gentle white water rafting trip with Austin and leave Campbell in MiMi's care but the river was too dry!  Apparently the rafting season was very short this year due to not enough snow melt.  Bummer!  Maybe next time...  

David and MiMi fit in their gambling during nap time each day or after the kids were in bed.  We swam most afternoons in the heated pool or hot tubs.  Campbell was not such a fan of the pool and the hot tub was too hot so I mostly walked around with him looking for bunnies in the bushes near the pool or visited the playground.  We also visited the Incline Village beach twice where the boys got wet in the cold water in their clothes and also played on the playground.  We watched a kite sailor in the strong wind - pretty cool! One night David and I even went out to eat alone at the Big Water Grille.  It was excellent and we will definitely go back in future visits - a great view and good food.  The smores ice cream dessert was delicious as was the fish and steak!  We ate lunches and dinners out and we also cooked at home some.  We discovered that Campbell is not at a good age to eat out after his behavior at Mofo's pizza place.  He was not in the mood to eat and the straps on their high chairs were broken so he wanted down and wanted to run around the restaurant.  That was no fun.... We hadn't eaten out with him all summer basically because we would just go to Lakeside and eat by the pool instead.  

We returned back to hot and humid Houston on Saturday 9/5.  Campbell did not nap the whole day of travel (had to change plans in Vegas) and then immediately fell asleep before we got out of the parking garage at Hobby at 10:30 Houston time.  He was one tired little guy after walking the airplane aisles and running around the airports.  It was a super trip once again and we can't wait until next time!!  Thanks MiMi and Big Deal for such fun time in a beautiful place!

My running buddy

Perfecting his putt

Little golfer in the making

Having a 4 year old meltdown due to frustration about not making it in 

Toe head peeking through

Big smiles for MiMi

Toes in the sand....

BIG lake, small boy

Sandy feet and jeans

Cold water on my feet

Not scared of the cold water

Rock throwing

Brothers appearing to get along

Baseball by the beach

South Lake Tahoe mini golf

Daddy's turn

Scary octopus

Ancient airplane ride 

Campbell loved this

Riding high

Austin's turn

Haha!  No words needed

Jumping high high 

Now he likes it!

The Spider Web

Made it to the top with some help from Cameron and Daddy

Cutie

Hole in one?

Lots of places to trip on rocks and steps at mini golf 

Beach with my boys

Spooner Lake

Hiking!

With a stroller

Crossing a bridge

Back in the airport - carrying his load

Hamburgers and cookies on the airport floor - very hygienic

Austin at 4 Years!

Austin turned 4 years old on August 9th.  I am about a month late posting an update but better late than never.  As for size stats - he is a big growing boy at 42.5 (91%) inches tall and 40 lbs (78%).  He checked out fine at his physical check up but did not like getting 2 shots - AT ALL!  This was the first year he really knew they were coming and FREAKED out.  But, I treated that with ice cream after Dr Pielop's office.  At 4 years, Austin loves to tackle his little brother, read books, do puzzles, play baseball, play golf, SWIM, and watch movies.  He has really become a great swimmer this summer and he loves it - going off the diving board alone, diving to get toys on the bottom of the shallow end, swimming AND taking breaths to go further.  The swim season is almost over and I don't plan to do lessons again until next spring, but I hope he will do swim team next summer.  His current favorite movies are Toy Story (1, 2, and 3), Finding Nemo, Bugs Life, Planes, and Monsters Inc.  He has really gotten into these this summer because of "summer mode" - staying up later, no school, etc.  No we are trying to cut back and use movie time as a reward for good behavior.  His favorite foods are pasta, mac n cheese, strawberries, broccoli, carrots, milk, pizza, hot dogs, and of course ANYTHING sweet including ice cream, popsicles, M&Ms, cookies, etc, etc.  Austin loves his daddy and wants to be with him all the time.  They have been up to Lakeside to hit golf balls a few times this summer but hopefully as it gets cooler they can go more often so he can work on his golf game. :)  He likes going to church on Sundays and our community group on Sunday evenings will start soon where he gets to play at Hank and Lottie's house.  He has memorized the Lord's prayer at church and I love how he says it.  "Our FATHER in Heaven, HALLOWED be thy name....."

Austin has a strong-will.  He is stubborn about many things.  His negotiation skills are sharpened daily. He must have a routine.  If we did A, B, and C on Monday, then he asks to do A, B, and C on Tuesday.  And if you say "no" to one of them, he screams.  I know where he gets this - I am a routine person, but I don't think I scream if I get out of a routine.  At least I hope not.  He does best when he knows what is coming; surprises are not good for him.  If you tell him we are going to HEB, then park, then lunch and try to throw in a Starbucks stop without telling him, he will throw a fit.  That's our routine-following first child for you!  On another note, he still has his lovey, Bear, and sucks his thumb when he is holding Bear.  We are working on breaking this habit.... He is still allergic to peanuts (boo!) but we will have it tested again this fall.  Hopefully he will outgrow it.  And hopefully he will outgrow his whining....soon!! ;)

We celebrated Austin's birthday at Monkey Joe's, an indoor place with inflatable bounce house structures.  We invited friends from his former Zebra Zone school as well as some friends from church. The kids played for the first 1 hr 15 minutes and then we had cake and ice cream in the party room.  I made a baseball cake.  He was NOT excited about everyone singing to him and blowing out the candles.  He tried to hide.  He does not like all eyes focused on him or being the center of attention.  

He just started his new school for Pre-K on September 8, 2015.  He is in the Dalmatian class at Christ Memorial Lutheran Early Childhood Learning Center and his teachers are Ms Karen, Ms Becky, and Ms Mary Ann.  He attends Monday-Friday 8:45-12.  So far, he seems to like it and says his favorite part is the gym and the playground.  He is all boy!  A special boy at that.....sweet, yet stubborn, learning to be a gentle big brother but also WAY too rough at the same time.  We love you Austin! 

Loves to climb in Campbell's crib with him each morning...Campbell is not as much of a fan

And Austin still needs help getting out, crazy that some kids learn to climb out before 2 years old

At the circus in July with cousin Annabelle

Thanks DiDi and Grandad for the circus trip!

So Tired after circus

Horseshoe Bay playground during lake trip in July

Popsicles by the pool at lakehouse - focused on his, intently

Fishing lessons from MiMi at lakehouse

Swimming at Lakeside - we did ALOT of this, this summer

Birthday party at  Monkey Joe's -so glad cousin Ben came!

Jumping around at Monkey Joe's

All the kids at the party waiting for cake

Picture attempt

Cousin Summer telling Austin that singing Happy Birthday is fun!

Not sure about this...

Baseball cake - hiding from the singing

After singing - it was alright

Ate all of his ice cream, and only the icing on the cake.