Lake Tahoe!

Just running a month behind on blogging....here is the Lake Tahoe trip post!  On September 6th, we flew to Lake Tahoe to stay at MiMi and Big Deal's time share condo.  We had been once before in June 2012 when Austin was 10 months old.  It is such a gorgeous place and the weather was wonderful, lows in the mid 40's, highs in the mid 70's.  Each way we had flew to LA and changed planes.  Campbell did awesome on the flights and Austin did OK.  It is a long way to just sit in a plane seat for a very active and strong-willed 3 year old.  We had about 3-4 tantrums each travel day.  Oh well, we survived.  The condo is 2 bedrooms, 2 baths so Campbell ended up sleeping in the kitchen, basically.  David would go to the casino (across the parking lot in the Hyatt hotel) each night with MiMi and when he would come back, he would wake me up and we would carefully move Campbell's pac n play out to the kitchen/den.  He woke up once each night we were there and we didn't want him waking Austin up too.  I was fortunate to be able to run in the cool temperatures along the sidewalk that has views of the lake.  Austin loved throwing rocks in the creek on the property with MiMi and Daddy.  We got to go swimming in the heated pools too.  One of the new discoveries for Austin was mini golf.  There were 2 old-school mini golf courses (putt-putt) nearby so we ended up doing this 3 times.  He LOVED it!  I wish there were these kinds of courses nearby in Houston.  Most of the ones I know are indoors and fluorescent or have crowds, which doesn't work with a 3 year old who likes to play each hole 3 times and doesn't care about the order.  We ate out some - Austin's restaurant across the street from the Hyatt, The char-pit burger joint in Kings Beach, and the Red Hut in South Lake Tahoe.  We also cooked some at the condo and on the grill.  Austin loved playing golf in the grass just outside the condo.  We went to the playground by the lake a few times and got our feet wet in the chilly water, while looking for rocks to throw (seems to be a theme).  It was a fairly low key trip (no rafting, hiking, paddle boarding, kayaking, etc going on due to the ages of our children) but we had a great time in a beautiful place.  These activities will come when the kids are older.  Thank you MiMi and Big Deal for a great trip with lots of memories!

Twirling at LAX

Scoping out the rock throwing locations

Not your average morning walk with daddy

Picking out the big rocks

Pool water was a little too chilly for Campbell (compared with Houston pools)

Hot tub!

Borrowed a ball from the hotel!

Soccer star!

Perfecting his grip

Freaky monkey

Campbell's ride at mini golf

Dinner at Austin's restaurant

Namesake

Blue-eyed cutie (my running partner)

Watch this throw, daddy!

Follow me to the rocks!

Under the moving log

Chipping in the rough outside the condo

Making smores!

My boys

He seems so small, yet such a big, feisty personality

Another round of mini golf

Clunk!

Daddy giving lessons (although Austin almost beat him :)

Trying on brother's hat

Looking for "clunkers" with MiMi

Family!

Toes in the sand

Labor Day at Lake LBJ

We spent Labor day weekend at Lake LBJ.  It was fun because Amanda and her family were there as well.  Austin loves Andrew!  And he loves "baby" Paige.  We filled our time with swimming, boating, running/walking, golfing, eating, and playing with babies.  We even had a very special hour from 4:30-5:30am where our entire family of 4 was awake (all in same room!) due to Campbell waking up unhappy :) We lived.  It was a great time and it is fun to see Paige and Austin play so well.  Can't wait for many more trips to the lake to make more memories!

Austin the giant! (18 months older)

Rides with Andrew!

Brothers!

We even like pool golf!

Squirt guns!

I am gonna get you wet!

Knock, knock

Oh, hand prints on the window.  It's worth it for this cute guy. 

My boating partner

Driving with Daddy

Porch sitting with DiDi

Let's Par-Tee, Austin is 3!

On Saturday August 23rd we celebrated Austin's 3rd birthday at our neighborhood playground.  It was a golf themed party since that is his current absolute favorite thing!  We invited his cousins and also some friends.  We had it early at 9am since August in Houston is sticky, to say the least.  We had donut "holes in one", kolaches, fruit, drinks, and of course, cupcakes decorated by me with a golf ball and homeade flagstick.  I got crafty and made a "pin the ball on the hole" game which the kids enjoyed.  Austin actually blew out his candles after a little episode of shy guy.  Here are some pictures of the par-tee!

On the tire swing with Kinzie (from Austin's school) 

Savanna, Annabelle and Morgan getting dizzy

Pop and Gram made the trip from Dallas!

Waiting for cupcakes!

Not so sure about the singing

Daddy, save me!

Okay, I will blow it out only if I get to eat them.

The kids want sugar!

Handsome, sweaty boy!

Can I have another one?  Savanna, Summer, Morgan and Rhett digging in

Opening his real microphone from MiMi

The cute golf cupcakes!

Grapes, kolaches and "donut holes in one"

Lunch with Pop and Gram the next day.  Pop took Austin to the potty and came back with ice cream!

Austin is 3

3 years old!  I can't believe Austin has been with us for 3 years now. As far as stats go, he was 87% in weight and 99% in height. He is not lacking in size or personality. He is out going but also shy, sweet but also hard-headed, and mr. Independent but also just a 3,year old who can't do it all by himself. Here's a little summary:

Favorite foods: PASTA, avocado, yogurt, applesauce, cheese, milk, ice cream, raisin bran, apples, eggs, mac n cheese, queso and quesadillas

Least favorite foods: all meats - won't touch them usually, any veggies except broccoli and carrots, you like those, you don't really like juice which I am fine with but I think it's weird

Favorite books: currently it's curious George and your Jesus story book Bible. You also like where's Waldo and digger dozer, dumper

Favorite sayings: construction "struction", "good shot man!" For when a golfer on TV makes it in the hole, remote control "mote toll", restaurant "restronaut", "Campbell smile", "maybe see some golfers", ma-roni n cheese, Workman!

Favorite toys: plastic golf clubs are by far your favorite right now- you have played golf inside for hours every day this past summer. I think your dad has brainwashed you. You also like puzzles and your Thomas the train tracks and trains. You also like watching Thomas on TV as a special thing while mommy feeds Campbell or takes a quick shower. You still sleep with and carry Bear around the house. You still suck your thumb and that is okay for now ( even your dentist said so). You also like your rubber ball and kicking it in the driveway.

Favorite activities: you have really liked swimming this summer. You Love driving by the various construction sights near our house and your school. You think they are the coolest! You also like going to the mall to ride the carousel and watch the ice skaters. You love kicking the ball in the driveway and against the garage. We have gone through numerous balls this summer- good thing the were only $2 at target. You love making your little brother smile- and he loves watching you too!  You like to help mommy make scrambled eggs, oatmeal and my coffee in the mornings before Campbell wakes up- this is our mommy/Austin time. You have now been to lakeside with daddy twice to putt- I am sure this will continue to be a favorite of yours. Florida Georgia line and hunter Hayes are your favorite singers- you are slightly obsessed. You love eating out at restaurants, esp with daddy.

Not so favorite things- transitioning from one thing to the next when mom and dad ask you to - man this is difficult. Staying in your chair at the dinner table- you are so easily distracted it is very hard to keep you sitting still. You don't really like riding your bike or scooter yet but hopefully when it gets cooler you will get into that.

At 3, Austin has been wearing big boy underwear for almost 5 months now. He still wears pull ups at night primarily because he is still sleeping in his crib. He loves his crib and shows no sign of climbing out. I think we are going to move him to a big boy bed very soon since Campbell is sleeping in the PAC n play and could use the crib space and comfort soon. He keeps his pull up dry almost every night and wakes us up to go tee-tee. He is in mainly size 3t shorts and 3t shirts but could use 4t shirts soon. He is in his 3rd year at zebra zone and in the owls class with Ms. Lottie as the lead teacher. He is in class with Liam, Casey, Claire, Cate, and Reagan. He misses Jackson, Ewan's, and Tomas but they are not 3 yet so they are in the lions class. Jackson is is crazy buddy and they still get to play on the playground together.  We are working on minimizing the whining- in due time :)

Austin, you are full of energy and surprises. We love how sweet you are to your little brother. You are  as stubborn as a mule at times but can also be so sweet. We are thankful that God blessed us with you and look forward to watching you grow!

Shy boy at his family birthday party

Finally warming up to the attention and happy birthday song (check out the golf cake mom made)

Construction hat from Mary carol, drew, Caroline and tall Andrew

That's my favorite "Workman", as you call them