Going to Outer Space...in our own house

Here are some pictures from Griffin's party (and a video for the grandparents!). We had an outer space thing and it really was "out of this world" (ha, ha). Our living room was mission control, complete with a large rocket (thanks to Cynthia Miller). When the kids arrived, we took there picture in a space helmet. Once everyone got here, we began our mission with some training exercises: the kids learned to defy gravity, tested their lung capacity and made some space snacks. Finally, we were ready for take-off. The kids participated in 3 missions: rocket buiding, rocket shooting, and a final trip to the moon. This was our biggest undertaking. We transformed the hall and griffin's room into outer space, complete with black walls, stars, asteroids, moon rocks, and a bouncy house (insode griffin's room-thank you Drennons). The kids had a "blast". After all missins were completed, we ate, open presents, and swam. All-in-all it was a lot of work for a short time, but well worth it. It was nice to have Nathan's family here to celebrate, and to help with the set-up. There are still staples in our wall, but I think our house has pretty much come back to earth.

Happy Birthday, Happy Wednesday

We just go a Flip video camera and we tried it out a lot this past weekend on Griffin's birthday, so I will make a disclaimer that there are lots of videos to come. These are mostly for the grandparents and family who could not be here. This video was Wednesday night at church-it is always great when you get to spread the birthday out over as many days as possible :)

Splash Park...

...with friends and family

4 Years, 6 years

My baby is 4 years old! I can't believe it! Am I that old? I guess so. Griffin turned 4 this past weekend on Saturday. I will post more pictures andwrite about our party soon, but this post is dedicated to my oldest son.

Griffin, you are such a special boy. You are so smart, sometimes too smart for your own good. You began talking early and have not stopped (much like your mother :)). You are so full of questions- always wanting to know everything. I am constantly amazed with how much you can remember and recall and the way you put things together. Your mind is always working, which is why you stay awake so long at night, always calling us in to tell us "one more thing" or ask one more question. What makes me the proudest, though, is the way you remember the Bible stories you learn at church and the way you are so eager to learn more about God and His creation. I pray you always have that hunger for knowledge, especially about our Creator.

Griffin, you are SO full of energy. Your imagination amazes me everyday. It sometimes seems that you live in another world. I love watching you play by yourself and with your friends, always coming up with new ideas, games, etc... you must have gotten your creative side from your Daddy because I wish I could be like that. I can just see you 10 years from now acting in a school play. I am especially pleased to watch how you include your little brother in your games. He looks up to you so much and loves playing with you and it makes me so proud to see you sharing with him and including him. Although you are a little rough at times, I know you love him very much and you two will have many more years of fun and mischief together.

Although you rarely sit still long enough for me to love on you, you are so affectionate in your own way. You tell me all the time, "I love you, Mommy" and "You're the best Mommy"- it makes me smile every time you say it. You are never shy to give me a hug or a kiss. I know the day will come when you will shy away from that, so I cherish every one. You have never met a stranger and are friendly to everyone. I love watching you talk to people at church. You are such a happy child and even when you are sad, it does not last for long.

Griffin, your Dad and I love you more than we could ever say. You are our first born and you will always be special to us.

On Saturday, Nathan and I also celebrated our 6th wedding anniversary. Sharing an anniversary with a birthday is an interesting thing. Although our day was filled with family and friends celebrating Griffin's birthday, it is still important to remember that 6 years ago on this day, I married my best friend, who became the father of my children. I love you Nathan. You are a perfect fit for me and I thank God everyday for bringing you into my life. You are such an amazing Father and husband- thank you for 6 wonderful years- and for the flowers :)

Cousins and Sea World

This past weekend we were able to meet up with Nathan's cousin Megan, her husband Matt, and there 2 boys Ethan, 4 and Grant, 2. They live in St. Louis and we had visited them 2 summers ago when Griffin was almost 2. Ethan and Griffin got along great then and although he doesnt remember much about that trip, Griffiin was super excited to see his cousin Ethan again.

Megan and her family first went to the beach in Corpus, timing it just right and making it right before the hurricane hit. They came up to San Anotnio early last week and spen a couple of nights there and we met them on Thursday to go to Sea World. Nathan's brother Jason, his wife Traci, and there son Grant, 18 months, also met us there. The hurricane had hit land the day before in Mexico, so the chance of rain was 100% that day. We wwere afraid we might be wasting our money, but there was no other time to go, so we took a chance, packed up lots of umbrellas, ponchos, and snacks, and verntured out.

It could not have been a better day! The sky was overcast and looked horrible all day, so the park was not nearly as busy as the Thursday before the 4th should be. It did sprinkle on us off and on monst of the morning and early afternoon and during the Shamoo show it poured, but conveniently let up as the show was ending. It was cool- something we were not expecting, and we were able to see every show and ride every ride we wanted to with no waiting in lines. All the boys, including the little ones (Tucker and Grant) were great. The shows are all about 20 minutes long, which was perfect for us. Tucker loved the animals and watched with interest. Griffin and Ethan of course were having the time of their lives. Our family even went on the log ride together and Tucker would not even let me hold on to him as we went down the hill. I had not been to Sea World since I was 11 and so I really enjoyed all the shows. We stayed until almost closing time, 9:00.

Our cousins followed us back to Austin and spend Friday and Saturday with us. The dads took the older boys to see Toy Story 3 and Megan, Tucker and I went shopping. We also went to a water park one day. It was a great visit and we were so glad that they were able to come and see us. The boys all got along great and it is always fun to see our boys play with and get to know family better. It is a memore he will laways have and I am sure will talk about for a long time. Maybe next summer we can take another trip up to St. Louis. Thanks Matt and Megan for making the trip!

4th of July

This year we stayed in town for the 4th. We had family in town for the weekend (more about that in a later post) so we did not go to Arkansas as we have done in several years in the past. We - decided to go downtown to the fireworks, which I have not done in many years. We got there early (thanks Caitlin!) and got a good seat on the lawn. It was hot, but we passed the time snacking, walking around, and visiting with our friends, Cailtin and Jesse. The fireworks were great- Tucker was a little scared at first, mostly due to the canons they shot off for no reason before the show started. He did settle down some and watch. Griffin of course loved it. It was nice to go to a real fireworks show and all in all it was a good evening, made better by the fact that Nathan actually had the day off on Monday for the first time in 3 years. Sorry, no pictures- I forgot my camera.

Tucker, 18 months

I can't believe my baby is a year and a half! My how he has grown up these past few months. He is soaking up knowledge like a sponge. While he is not quite as verbal as his brother at this age, he understands so much and is learning new words everyday. As his vocabulary grows. he has figured out that he can use it to get what he wants...and he knows what he wants. Tucker is definitely more strong willed than his brother and has developed a screeching sound to lets you know when he is not happy. We are working on that. Tucker seems to have a little bit of a spilt personality. At home he is talkative and silly but he likes to pretend he is serious and quiet when we are around others. He is still a momma's boy all the way, but is getting better.

As for statistics, he is now FINALLY over 20 lbs. and is back on the growth chart (we had a little drop off at 15 months which led to tests, a visit to an endocronologist, and a new pediatrician, all to realize he is just little). He is still little, below the 5th percentile, but somebody has to be. Other than being little, he is great. He eats as well as any 18 month old, sleeps all night, and throws fits when he doesn't get his way...we are so happy he is normal and healthy...and we think he is pretty cute too!

Here are a few pics from the past few months that show a little of his personality.

We love you Tucker!