September Update

So, here is a sample of our September!
While the kiddos missed their Nana & Papa while they were in Idaho ~ they were VERY excited to have the use of Papa's car and his handy-dandy headphones. Little did ya know, Papa!

The next shot is of Selah & her friend Andrew. This was her very first play-date at our house. I picked them both up from preschool and they got to spend the whole day making "forts" in our "woods" and getting into all sorts of fun things ~ our girl is getting so grown up!














Next came a day at Eagle Creek Gardens for some pumpkin fun w/ the Kaselak's. Kinder Music showed up for the kids to beat on the drums and shake a thing or two, they all got to go on pony-rides ~ even our man, Judah, he was slick on that horsey! And ofcourse, we got to go through the fields on a nice crisp fall day for a hay-ride. Thanks Shasta, Scot, Harrison & Hugh!







And last, but certainly not least was our seemingly annual event at Fun-Time Inflatables w/ the Congdons. It was funny to see how just a little time can change so much. Judah was in full boy mode and couldn't wait to join in on all the action. Last time we were there he was around 11 months old and just watching ~ now he was part of the CRAZINESS! Alec just turned 2 years old ~ he's getting so big (that's him riding the slide with Selah). Happy Birthday Alec!

Labor Day & First Day of Preschool

Labor Day Weekend was filled with yet another round or should I say the final round (hip hip horray!!) of the men's extreme croquet at the Austin household. Uncle Richard & Aunt Judy came in to observe this crazy festivity ~ and she still can't figure out why the girls don't play!! Well, we like to let our boys think they are better than us ~ or we really just like eating all the appetizers and desserts while they're off being manly!!! The shot of Kayla is a collection of all the apples picked from Grandma's apple tree ~ the deers will be well fed this Fall.


Our girl started preschool yesterday and was more than excited to leave me! She said she learned about a mole going to school, played w/ babie dolls, play-dough & hung w/ her friends (big scoop from one kiddo). She was even sent home a homework project ~ too cute. She had to decorate a stick figure that will hang in her classroom throughout the year. The theme was "Friends", how do you think she did????

North Carolina

So, to recap our trip ~ it was a great time spent with family, chasing kiddos, yummy food and mostly just some good quality time all around. Selah took to the beach immediately ~ the ocean although was another story! Her first attempt braving the water landed her in Papa's arms w/ an ocean wave that conquered them both! Thankfully that didn't keep her out of the water too long ~ Uncle Chris won her over the next day and she loved it. Judah on the other hand, needed no time at all, nor did he think he needed anyone's help going into the ocean! What can I say, our boy has a VERY adventurous spirit!!! We got our excersise chasing him down ~ that is for sure!!! It was SOOOOOO much fun to watch Selah and Judah hanging with their cousin, Finn (photo is of him in purple bucket!). They literally would share food with each other and follow the other one all around. I couldn't help put the shot in of my two handsome men in their bath towels! Judah's face was so precious when he realized he was a big boy just like his daddy!!! And the last shot pretty much says it all ~ where are we going next!!!! Oh yeah, one more thing, just so we don't forget ~ yes, there are sting rays that make their appearance right in the waves with ya!!! Learned that one from personal experience as one headed right for Nana & I!!!! I say it's time to vacation at the lakes in Michigan!!

New doooo!

Fine, so it was a "little" long ~ and as Lydia (my friend, the hair dresser) so harshly stated "it looks like a mullet". Well, that was all she had to say for Judah to get his first professional haircut!! He sat so still for her and even enjoyed his favorite pass-time ~ chatting on the phone (how manly!!!). It was sad to see his long hair get trimmed down, but hopefully we won't have to cut those blond locks again anytime soon!!! Daddy says he has to "live" thru his son's hair now.

Here is his new dooooo ~ along w/ sister and a rare shot of mommy!! It seems when you have kids you just stop documenting your own life (via pictures that is anyways!).

CHAUTAQUA "Sea Legs"

Last weekend we went to Chautauqua w/ the Petrie Family!! What is there to say, but it was a BLAST! As fun-packed as it was, it was equally just as relaxing. Derek and I felt privileged to have that quality time with our oldest nieces/nephew and honestly to see them grow before our very eyes. Both Logan and Morgan conquered the raging waters and succeeded in knee boarding ~ it nearly brought tears to our eyes to see them NEVER give up!!! Kayla also had her "first" water experience and braved a wild tube ride w/ me ~ thanks for sharing that experience with me sweetie! The kids just loved being outdoors and Logan truly can't figure out why the DuRoss's have any other home but Chautauqua (really, why would you live anywhere else???). As sweet as that is, we're glad they live right here ~ only 10 minutes away (most of the time!!!). Selah soaked in every second w/ the "cousins" and came up with more imaginative games than I can even remember, gotta love that. As for Judah, our boy has his "sea legs" on and loved every minute/hours we spent on the boat!!! Thanks Petrie's for the wonderful memories ~ lets do a redo soon!

July Fun

Selah was invited by her friend, Emma, to come join her for a princess gymnastics class at the Little Gym. How can you resist that?? She did awesome on the balance beams and fit right into the class routine. Seriously, could she look any cuter??

Bear town Lakes was our adventure on Sunday. We went over w/ Ne-Ne Heather & Uncle David for bike rides and fishing. It was the first time Selah had officially taken her new trycle out (thanks Grandma & Grandpa Austin)! She was AMAZING. She just took right to it and went through the whole bike path all on her own. She even hung on for dear life when going down a hill a bit too fast!!! You go girl. Even Judah got in on the action ~ at first in the stroller and then thanks to Uncle David, he got his own bike ride!! Here is a shot of Morgan and Logan fishing ~ they're quite gifted in the art of casting I must say! Kayla was sweet enough to share her fishing pole w/ Selah so Derek could give her a fishing lesson of her own. Our girl has PATIENCE ~ she really hung in there for the fish, but they just didn't bite this time!

4th Of July

Our weekend was filled w/ some fun activities. I was in the Aurora 4th of July parade for RE/MAX ~ my job was to drive a white convertible through the crowds of screaming kids begging for candy & beaded necklaces! Daddy brought Selah and Judah to watch their mama in the parade ~ thanks for helping him out NeNe Heather. Morgan also got to join in the festivities ~ she rode in the car w/ me and threw out the beads!

Then we went over to Grandma & Grandpa Austin's for our family gathering. I would post pictures ~ but in all honesty if you scroll down to the Memorial Day shots, they look exactly the same!!! No kidding! Slip-n-slide, 4-wheeler rides and "extreme" croquet for the men (still doesn't sound manly!).

As for the kiddos ~ Judah had a belated 1 year doctor appointment and he is truly quite the peanut. He only fell into the 3rd percent in weight (18 lbs 11 ounces) ~ what can I say, I bear petite children. His latest "things" to do are talk on the phone all day long, he always seems to be calling daddy (on his pretend phone that is), open and shut every door ~ ALL DAY LONG, and wrestling with his big Sis!

Selah's phrase for the summer is "are we going to the water park today?" She is swimming like a little fish, braving the raging water slides and body surfing in the wave pool (look out Outer Banks ~ here she comes)! Her other new thing ~ which is especially exciting for mommy, is she is determined to have all her toys picked up before daddy gets home each day!! Yeah, now we're talking!!! Gotta love that girly.