The Big Bad Wolf

Grammy called this week... When I got off the phone Carson was asking who it was etc.. so I told him "Grammy called to let us know we have a condo to stay in when we are in FL" Carson's response. "OH MOMMY!! I hope its made out of brick so the Big Bad Wolf won't blow it down". He was totally serious, that is what was so funny. And we have not read that story in months. This just came out of no where.

Bun in the Oven Session

These are our sweet friends we knew back in The Woodlands. She and I were pregnant with our first babies that are only 10 days apart, same doctor, same church etc... They moved to Austin about a year after us and we have enjoyed having some "old friends around". They are such a sweet family and have a new baby boy on the way. So we did a maternity session with the family and the big brother to be. Which by the way is model material, he was amazing as you will see in all the photos. Thanks H for being so great and going with the flow! There are so many great ones these are just my personal top favorites. If you'd like to see more click the link for the slide show and turn up your volume!

http://cozyimpressionsphotography.com/SMaternity

Grammy Runs The Austin 1/2 Marathon!

While here, my amazing mother, also known as "Grammy" to the kids, ran the Austin 1/2 Marathon. She has been a triathlete for as long as I can remember. This is not her first 1/2 marathon she has done several in FL including one through Disney world. She has also run the NYC full marathon twice. She is also an avid bike rider, besides all the races she does in FL she has followed the Tour De France with a friend two years ago.

How cool is this medal they gave her? I love the guitar theme.

Big Talker

The Bathroom "Talker"

Funny story from our night at the Oasis.
Rick had taken the boys to the restroom during dinner. Basically here is a run down of how things went during their potty break:
Boys are all doing their business when Carson turns to the man doing his business next to him and says "I'm Carson and I'm turning 5, we had a camo party at Chuck E. Cheese and I LOVE to go fishing with Grandaddy and on and on he went talking to this man who was trying to pee. Poor Rick just wanted to hide from embarrassment.
So about 15 min. later we were walking out and my mom says to a couple of men eating (we had no idea who they were) "boy, I bet you all are happy to see us go" (because the kids were being kids playing, talking loud etc)
And the man says "You wouldn't believe the conversation I just had in the bathroom with that little guy!"
It was so funny!
That's our Carson, trying to make friends everywhere we go!

Beautiful Austin

Bet you didn't know Austin looks like this... For all you "out of towners"

We are not just hicks in the sticks out here in Texas! ha!

On Monday night we went to the Oasis. Our house is only 3 miles from this restaurant and you can see some of these views from our street, which is really spectacular! We tend to go there when we have guests. It is definitely the place to bring your out of town visitors. The views are incredible. There are 40? decks on the cliff that over looks Lake Travis and it seats 2000 people. It looks more like Southern California than Austin, TX to me. On Friday nights there are different bands that play there. Its really fun and great for the kids.

The entrance to the Oasis. Very beautiful with lots of plants & statues

We live just to the right of this shot.
Rick and Cooper enjoying the amazing weather

Aunt Jill & Parker at dinner
At sunset they ring a bell and everyone stands up to clap & take pictures.

A Whole Hand Old

Happy 5th Birthday to our boys!! Here are some shots I took of them at sunset on Monday night

(Carson on the left, Grffin on the right)

Both boys are incredibly smart and are 1/2 way through their Kindergarten year. The can tell you all the vowels & consonants, what a twin consonant is, a twin vowel, how many syllables are in a word and are reading the level one books.
Five Things about Big Griff:
1. Griffin LOVES to build and build and build.

He spends a lot of his time building his geo trax & Lincoln logs.
2. He is very good a soccer and has scored several goals at each game.
3. Griffin is content to stay home and goes with the flow very well.
4. Winter is NOT his favorite season. He LOVES summer and is an excellent swimmer. He has been known to cross the lap pool back and forth with no rest in between at 3 yrs old.
5. When Rick took the boys to learn to ride with no training wheels two weeks ago, Griffin got right on the bike and rode away. There was no teaching involved.
Five Things about Carson:
1. Carson loves to talk, really to anyone who will listen. We call him our reporter.

He always gives Rick the ENTIRE run down of our day when he gets home.
2. His memory is the best I've ever heard of at such a young age. He can tell you things we did in exact detail of when he was 2 yrs old.

He always reminds us of where certain toys came from, what event etc...
3. Carson is an outside boy, who would stay out 24-7 if we let him.

He loves sports and seems to be good at everything he tries
4. Carson can also ride his bike with no training wheels.

He also took very little lesson, but still needs help with the start off.
5. Carson is very loving and affectionate. He loves to curl up in your lap and snuggle

Cozy Easter Speical

Cozy Vintage Easter Special:

25~5x7, 2 sided custom Designed Easter Cards/Envelopes

1 Sheet of 8 Easter Designed Wallets

1 5x7 of your favorite image

1 Hour Session

$100

Click to enlarge to see these Vintage cards.

This is a great package for those of you who never got around to Christmas cards!

Cooper~ 18 Months

Here are some shots of Cooper last night at the Oasis in Austin.

Coop turns 18 months today! New 18 month Stats:

Weight: 23 lbs 14 oz 20% for weight

Height: 31 1/2 inches 30% for height

He's a little guy, but growing so there are no concerns.

Cooper has about 30 words? We've lost count. He loves to say "Bye Bye, Thankyou" to the ladies in the nursery at church. And then "wove you" when we are walking out. He can point to his nose, mouth, legs, hair, ears & eyes when you ask him. He knows the sounds of dogs, cows, cats, and sheep when asked.

He still carries around his favorite car everywhere he goes.

Camo Party Slide Show

Quick Shout Out....

I owe a HUGE Thank you to Cortney over at http://www.thesewsweetboutique.com/

I had these monogrammed tumblers made as party favors. They were super cute and the boys loved them, the mommies did too!! She also sells lunch boxes, mini backpacks, totes, burp clothes and lots of other goodies that are personalized.

Attention!

Our boys are turning 5. This weekend was the big "bad guys" party. Here is the card I designed for it.

Happy Valentines Day From Our Family

Happy Valentines Day from our family to yours! Here are a few cards I made, couldn't decided on which one I liked best so here are all 3.

For Valentines Day my valentine searched all over Austin to find me a very rare purple rose bush that I have been wanting. Its a climber to go up the side of the house with my mango one. I can't wait to plant it! I love having fresh roses in the house from March-November!!

Thanks Rick, you're the best!

Sunday Night Get-Together

On Sunday night we had dinner with our friends, Chris & Julie and Luke & Sara. It was a lot of fun. There were even 2 Coopers, 2 Carsons & 2 Lukes, weird.

Parker Lounging on the hammock, also the only girl there, as always.
Carson diggin it up in the dirt
Cooper enjoying the amazing weather!
The kids playing so well together
" Papa talk"
I was the paparazzi behind the bush taking their picture. Where is the picture of the Mommies you might ask? Humm.. always behind the camera I suppose. right Sara?

Winter Soccer

We had a very busy Saturday. I haven't blogged about it yet, but the boys are half way through their winter soccer season. Our team this year is really good and have won everygame, if your counting. This Sat. Griffin scored 5 goals, Carson 1. It was a fun time.

After the 8am soccer game, Rick took off their training wheels on their bikes and took them back to the walking trail. We both thought this was going to be a really frustrating time teaching them how to ride. But they just took off and did it on the first try. Pretty amazing!

From 1-5 our church offered free babysitting!! whoo hoo!! We LOVE a little free babysitting. We had a great time at Cheesecake Factory with our friends April & Jefferey. And then went shopping at Best Buy. It was a great day.

Here are some soccer pics....

Tough boys (G on the left C on the right)
Griffin scoring a goal
Carson running with his tongue hanging out.
Go Rockets! (You can't see our kids in this bunch)

Can you believe its Februrary?

This weather is scrumptious! We are loving it!! This week I took the kids and Maggie to the walking trail 3 times, and to our neighborhood park once. Its hard to believe its February, I hardly remember a February when we could spend so much time outside.
Here are some quick shots I took of the boys on our deck after lunch today. You can just see how happy they are to be outside again. You know how boys are...

"Daddy You look so Pretty!"

A few weeks ago I bought Rick a pink & navy striped sweater. I thought it was really nice. He was not sure about it so let it sit in the closet for many weeks. I told him I'd take it back if he didn't want it. He said "I just need some encouraging when I wear it" Ok no problem.

So today he put it on for work, he emerged from the closet and I told him how great he looked etc.. Then he walks out to the living room and this was the reaction from the kids.

Carson "Daddy why are you wearing Mommy's shirt"

Griffin "Why you got that shirt on Dad?"

Parker "Daddy you look so pretty like a girl!"

Poor Rick was humiliated. I think the only reason he kept it on was because he was going to cover it up with his lab coat when he arrived at work.

Another Amazing Day in Austin!

Finally! The weather in Austin was GREAT! It was about 75 and breezy. We loaded up our bikes, our dog and headed to the park. Its funny lately we haven't been playing at the park, just using the running trail to take long walks. We went a few miles.

I almost feel bad blogging about the weather we are having here. I have some far away dedicated blog readers in Nebraska, Idaho, Virginia, Florida & California (well I don't feel bad for them). But to think of you all snowed in. UGH! We did live in Boston for a few years, remember? So I know what 8 months of snow is like. And I'm pretty happy to be in shorts today. :)

Here are a few shots from our adventure. Gave them a little vintage feel...

Maggie was annoyed that Parker wanted to walk her, she would rather "off leash" But its easier on me to keep the 3 yr old happy, than the dog. You know?



Ahhh! Coop enjoying the breeze...

Carson
Griffin