What a swimmer!

All summer long I taught swim lessons in my parents backyard, a family business that my sisters and I started 8 years ago. Of course, Austin loves the water and because I was in the pool all day long, he usually got an hour to swim with me everyday. He gets really excited for his swim lesson, or "his turn", and even remembers which student he goes after! The kid is completely fearless, (which I do have to say is a bit worrysome at times), jumping off the side and diving board, swimming across the pool the short length, diving for rings and coins at the bottom, or just floating on his tummy. It's been amazing to see how much he has improved, and even though he's not "pool safe", (he thinks he is though!), he can certainly hold his own. He even thinks he can keep up with the big kids! Grandpa is hoping he will follow in his footsteps...

Visit to Great-Grandpa Dick

We decided that since Austin had never met his great-grandpa yet (and I hadn't seen him in 4 years), we would take a trip down to S. Cal to see him. We talked all week to Austin about going on a trip to see Grandpa Dick and Grandma Jackie, so he was excited about meeting them and going to Sea World. So, my mom and I took the 7 hr. drive down there (which was Austin's first long car trip!) and spent the late afternoon with Grandpa and some of his family. Luckily, Austin was friendly with everyone and learned everyone's name quickly (which they got a kick out of). He was so stir crazy from sitting in the car that long, that for 3 hours straight he ran around his yard and house tearing it up! It's a good thing we spent the next day at Sea World because my grandpa probably wouldn't have been able to handle "The Tornado" all day! Sea World was so much fun and perfect weather! We went on a weekday and off-season, so it wasn't crowded either. Austin loved the "big, giant whales" and the dolphins, and found it especially amusing watching them splash the people and jump out of the water. All in all, it was a great little trip and hopefully my grandpa wasn't too worn out!

Anyone missing keys???

For about the past 6 months AT LEAST, Austin has been obsessed with keys. And no, not the play kind, they have to be real ones, of course! We thought maybe he would be over this phase by now, but nope, he's obsessed! It's gotten to the point that he has several "pairs" (extra keys that don't go to anything) with keychains, carabeeners, locks, and other do-dads. And because he sees Dad carry them on his belt loop, he likes to hook them on his pant pockets too. He has to bring them everywhere-in the car, on walks, to the store, on his bike... He also knows which car keys are each of ours (there are 6 pairs of keys belonging to each of us) and can name all the keys on EACH of those pairs too (the house keys, the church keys, etc). Anyways, I had to take a picture with him and all of his keys because it's too funny to forget! Maybe we'll have a locksmith someday!

Mommy has a baby in her tummy!

Now that I'm 12 weeks pregnant, we decided to make the news public! We are so thrilled to be adding to our family in the beginning of April 2008! And even though Austin is still too young to fully understand that, we tell him that I have a baby in my tummy! He also knows which names we like for boys and girls, and when we ask him which he would prefer, a baby brother or baby sister, he usually says sister (I think he likes that word more). Although we just hope and pray for a healthy baby, I secretly (well, not much of a secret) want another boy!

Grandpa, need a big wrench???

Austin absolutely loves tools, and especially real ones! So, ever since we've been living at my parents house this summer, my dad has made Saturday "Tool Day" for fixing things around the house. As you can probably guess, when Austin knows it's Saturday, he knows that means "Tool day"! There aren't many things or toys that can catch his attention for too long (he's just too busy!), but tools certainly do! He can sit with Grandpa for hours and help him unscrew things, take things apart, etc. It's such a crack-up to watch how intense Austin is with tools! He even knows the names of most of them-Phillips screwdriver, table saw, Allen wrench... And of course, my dad appreciates having his help and company by his side. They even go on trips to the hardware store together-so cute!

Eric's officially done!!!!!

Even though Eric went through Graduation Commencement exercises back in May, he didn't officially "graduate" until after his final 2 clinicals this summer. Since Friday was his last day of clinicals (working with no pay!), he is officially done and now has a Masters of Physical Therapy!!! Way to go Eric! After 7 years of (almost continuous) school, the last 2 1/2 years full-time, he can no longer call himself a student! BIG DAY!!! We're so proud of your persistance, dedication, and hard work and know you will be a great Therapist! Now the real work begins....

Oh, the funny things kids say!

Since Austin's vocabulary has rapidly expanded the past several months (aren't kids the biggest sponges?) I decided to compile a list of the funny things/highlights that he says. Does this kid have a personality or what???

"I like kinda spicy chips"

"Ok guys, Audi's going to Costco, see ya!" (as he heads for the door with keys)

"Audi has a big poopy, Mommy change the diaper, PPPHHEWWW!" (as he waves his hand in front of his nose)

"That's silly, the doggy went on the cool cover" ("pool" cover, which he refuses to say correctly because he thinks its funny)

"Audi needs a Phillips screwdriver"

"Mommy needs to go potty, she has a stinky. Hurry Mom, go potty!" (and no, I didn't have a stinky!)

"I'm a firecracker!" (Aunt Trish taught him this)

"You're in the way, SHOOOO!!!" (he hears us say this to the dog all the time)

"Audi needs MONEY. Grandma, get Audi some money from your bag!"

"How YOU doin'?"

"That's a big, giant WRENCH!!!"

"Mommy, those bubbles are kinda scary" (the jets in the spa)

"Oh snap!!!" (he gets that from Dad)

"Jesus is happy now." (he says this after his prayers every night)

"How'd that happen?!" (he asked after Bandit threw up his dinner on the carpet)

"That's SO tasty!"

"Bandit, CHILL OUT!!!" (my mom says this all the time to the dog when he's hovering for food)

"I got it from my Momma!"

"There's a freakin' rooster!"

A day at the beach

Yesterday we spent a day at Manresa Beach, which is just south of Santa Cruz. We decided that since it was supposed to be 102 degrees where we live, the beach would a perfect 80 degrees, which it was! Austin hasn't spent too much time at beaches, but he was sure fascinated by the waves, surfers, kids playing in the sand, and of course, all the dogs! Eric and I did a little boogie-boarding, and Eric attempted the skim-board (to no luck!), while Austin played in the sand and built sandcastles. The highlight was putting him in the water though, a little shocking at first because the water was pretty cold (and he's used to my parents heated pool!), but after awhile he seemed fascinated with the waves going back and forth across his feet in the sand. Oh, and while him and I were building a sandcastle, a wave came over us and that scared him pretty bad! All in all, it was a beautiful day to spend together and hopefully we'll have more of those beach moments to come!

Man's Best Friend

So, there's this bull dog around the block that Eric and Austin love to visit and take on walks every week. His name is Toby, and he's not just any bull dog. He's a rescue dog, and he's very large and in charge! But a little background first-for a long time, Eric has had a love affair with English Bull dogs. He has talked about getting one for awhile, but can't seem to convince his wife to spend $3000 on a DOG! Oh, and he even has a name picked out for his future bull dog...Cleitus! Very fitting, I know. As you can imagine, Austin has heard all about bull dogs, and "Cleitus" his short life and now having one around the corner is the closest thing to owning a bull dog that we're going to get in the next 10 years! When we first got to know Toby, Austin would ask to go on a walk around the block just to see Toby. Those weekly visits turned into taking the dog for a walk, which luckily the owners were very appreciative. One day two weeks ago, Austin wanted to take his wagon around the block to see Toby and as we were walking him, he asked if Toby could ride in the wagon with him. He thought it was sooooo silly and loved every minute riding with his new buddy! Especially when Toby licked his ears!

I'm a blogger now!

Well, I'm officially a blogger now! I can't believe I'm diving into the "blogger world", I never thought it was me, but after some convincing of a good friend, I decided I would give it a whirl even though it seemed a little daunting and intimidating at first. My main and initial motivation was to do this as some sort of family history (since I'm the world's worst journal writer!) to keep track of some of our memories, experiences, our kids sayings/doings, and all the other happenings of our lives! I knew if I didn't start something now, it would only get harder and I've always regretted not being a better journal keeper. I also thought it would be fun to see what our other family members and friends from across the country are doing too! So, here goes nothing!!!!!