Growing up . . . .

I love the stage that Austin is at.  He understands directions (ie: go get your shoes on so we can go - and he will go get them and bring them to me), is starting to use more words,  enjoys being social with others, can feed himself (when I allow it),  and plays well by himself.  He loves to get the phone and talk to people, sing in the microphone, play outside and he has one volume all of the time . . . . . .LOUD!!!!!  

Here are some of the things that he says on a regular basis:

Mommy, Dadda, milk, water, eat, cracker, cookie, more, up, ball, NO, Braden, Brooke, Grandpa (sorry Grandma - he just won't say it), yum-yum, kitty, dog, kick, choo-choo, peek-a-boo, night-night, baby (my favorite because he says it so cute!).  

I guess the list isn't that long, but I hope he is on track for a 14 month old.  But you can ask him what different animals say and he knows most of them.  He has big shoes to fill if he is going to keep up with Braden.  He is a joy and every time he smiles and I see his big dimples it just melts my heart.  It is unfortunate that he won't hold still long enough to get a good picture of his cute smile!  But as you can see from up above, dirt does not bother him one bit!

Girls "Block party"

Last night my mom, sister and me had a fabulous time in the craft room making a few block letter words.  My mom and sister are very crafty and I lack in that area so it was nice for a change to be able to "craft" with them and actually be able to do something instead of just admire their work.  They seriously have EVERYTHING that a scrapbook store has.  It is amazing.  They are so much fun!  They were still buzzing at midnight, but I was about to crash so I had to call it a night. (we didn't start until 10 pm)  Brooke made the sMiLe letters, I made the Happy Harvest, and my mom made the Boo.  We will for sure do that again one night, it was so much fun.  I am certainly blessed with a good mom and sister to be able to do this with.  

Before I forget

I have to hurry and post this before I forget it.  Braden is always thinking and saying things that sometimes you just have to laugh at.  I could write one per day, but I usually forget and now I am sad because I can't remember them.  

#1     We were at Target and I usually get the boys a slurpee and popcorn to keep them occupied for 2 minutes (or at least that is all it seems like) and the lady went to fill up the popcorn and brought it back and gave it to Braden.  He looked at me and happily asked me, "Mom, did she get this off the apricot tree?"

#2  He LOVES the hose.  He LOVES the hose.  He LOVES the hose.  I hope I made that clear just how much he LOVES the hose.  We were at my parents home last Sunday and Braden was out in the backyard with my dad.  I went out there and he asked me if he could turn on the hose.  I explained to him that it is Sunday and we shouldn't play in the hose.  We then went off to the garden my dad has.  It is an awesome garden by the way.  We were looking at all the vegetables and he started to go off to the other side of the tomatoes.  Then about 2 seconds later he says, "would it be alright if I just give them a little drink?"  In my mind I am thinking of course he can't let the hose thing go . . . . . but I look over to see my dad smirking and turn to look at Braden and he pulled out his own "hose" and gave the garden a nice little drink.  He then pulls up his pants and tells me, "see mom they are not thirsty any more!"  Anyone want some well fertilized tomatoes???!!!!!   

Labor Day Weekend

Oh how I love Swiss Days!!!!  We go to Midway each year over Labor Day with my family.  We always have such a good time.  This year was the best!  We rented a house so we all stayed together.  Aunt Brooke is loved by all the kids (she has the most engergy) and they played in the rain on Sunday and got drenched.  Austin is so blonde as it is and when his hair gets wet he looks bald . . . . . but he couldn't get enough of the rain and puddles to jump in!

FHE outing

We went to Mulligans the other night for FHE.  The boys had a great time.  I didn't think we would ever get them to leave that place.  Braden was actually a pretty good little golfer.  After we finished mini golf Aaron went to hit a bucket of balls so I let the boys play on the putting green.  Leave it up to Austin to find a frog and try to squash it and beat it with the flag pole stick.  He had a good time chasing the frog and Braden loved laughing at him.  They are all boys!!!  

Aaron's Birthday!

Aaron got a Jazz jersey from Braden for his birthday.  Braden has one also, so they both put them on and I tried to take a picture of all of the boys.  I managed to take the picture, but either Braden or Austin wasn't looking, not smiling or cheesy smile.  Or in this case, Braden trying hard not to smile for me.

We had a great night without the boys that night.  We went to Tucano's at Gateway to eat.  It was a ton of food (meat).  I don't think I needed to eat meat for a month after that night.