Austin's birthday

The day started just like any other birthday around here, with our birthday pancake in the shape of our age. I must say, making a 5 shaped pancake is really difficult and requires two spatulas. He was so proud to show how big he is now because it takes a whole hand to show you.

It is so hard to believe that Austin is already 5 years old. What will I do when he goes to kindergarten next year? I can't even think about that right now. I can remember holding him in the hospital, bringing him to our New York Apartment, and cruising the sidewalks with the stroller like it was just yesterday. I am constantly telling the boys to "stop growing," to which they respond, "I can't!" Then I always say, "That's okay, no matter how big you get, you'll always be my baby!" I sometimes just wish I could freeze time and enjoy each moment a little longer.

For his party, we went to Jumpalooza. I got lots of pictures, but here is just a taste of the action. Austin and one of his best buddies Jacob. They were constantly on the go, and really had a blast jumping and jumping and jumping.

The birthday boy, just stopping to take it all in. I would say he looks like he enjoyed his birthday.

Happy Birthday to you!!!

Getting Ready for Christmas

We took the boys to Galveston for the weekend and went to Moody Gardens to see the Festival of Lights. They loved it and couldn't believe all of the lights. They didn't even mind walking the mile long trail through the lights. It was fantastic! We'll be going back again.

Just so you can get a scale of the size of the lights, here are the boys next to their favorite ones, the nutcrackers.

I had the boys pose for pictures in their Christmas pj's in front of the tree, planning to use the pictures for our cards, but Daddy didn't want me to send the pictures out in their pj's so we did another shot for our cards instead. Here are the pictures I liked.

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving was sweet, with all these children to be thankful for. We missed Mimi to the moon and back, but we were thankful for each other.....and for pumpkin pie.

Colton's Baptism

Colton's baptism was such a special day because it was on All Saint's Day. The church honored all of the people who went to heaven this year and lit a candle in honor of Mimi. It was a way for her to be part of the ceremony. Originally after he was born, Mimi said that she was going to join the church the day he was baptized. She was able to join in the hospital when she didn't think she would make it out of the bed again. It was an emotional day, but so wonderful as well. All of our family was surrounding us, and Colton was so good and didn't cry.

Bike Riding.....FINALLY!!

Ok, so we aren't totally riding, but at least we are trying. Austin refused to try to ride his bike ever because pedaling was just too hard. He finally is trying now! He always told me that he would try "when I turn 5." Well a few weeks short of turning 5 he decided to try. He pedals a little, and then just rolls down the hill, but it is progress, and that makes me happy. Braeden also joins in and tries to pedal his bike. So exciting!!

Just a little blackmail....

Halloween Time

Halloween week was a busy time. We went to the Fall Festival and had tons of fun at the petting zoo.

Our littlest Punkin'

The boys both got spray on tattoos.

Austin rode a horse.

And the most time was spent in the many bounce houses. Our neighborhood is so great, and they have so many activities for the kids each holiday. We are truly blessed to live in such a great place.

Of course Halloween just wouldn't be Halloween without carving a jack-o-lantern. This was the first year we actually got the boys to both reach in and help scoop out the slimy insides of the pumpkin.

For Halloween we had a crew of kids from Toy Story.
Colton's first Halloween costume...the squeaky toy alien.

Austin was Woody and Braeden was a toy soldier.

Austin's preschool class all decked out for the Halloween parade.

And Braeden's class too.

Halloween was a success, and we have more candy than we know what to do with.

Cereal Time!

Our little Butterbean has no problem eating cereal of course. His 4 month check up was fantastic. He weighed 17.9 pounds and was 27 inches tall. He is already wearing 12 month size clothes....keeping true to the big baby size of our Giffhorn boys! He has started to roll over onto his tummy, and likes to sleep there. He watches the dogs and his brothers so closely, I think he will be trying to get moving quickly so he can keep up!

Colton is the happiest baby! He smiles at just about everyone, and has the most expressive eyes. He is a charmer, a snuggler, and a precious gift from God! We love him so much!

Mimi and Colton

I took this with my phone, so the quality isn't great, but you can see the love. We will miss you more than you can imagine sweet Mimi. A mother holds our hands for a short time, but holds our hearts forever.

Falling into Fall

It's been a busy month, but here is a picture of Colton when he was 3 months old.

Colton is just a couple of days shy of being 4 months old. I take him for his check up at the doctor on Monday, so I don't have his stats just yet. What I can tell you is that I quit using the scoop car seat because he is just too dang big and heavy. He is wearing 6 - 12 month clothes, and they fit him just right. He's not rolling over, but he also doesn't get too much tummy time to practice this. I'm not worried, his older brothers didn't do this early either. What he does do is light up the room as soon as he is in it. He smiles at just about anybody, and when he smiles it is from head to toe, not just on his mouth. He loves his bath, loves his dogs, loves his brothers, loves his parents, and loves his hands. He drools like it's going out of style, and he gives the best cuddles. What an absolute joy he is. We are in love if you couldn't tell...

Colton's newest tricks are blowing raspberries and "singing" the short vowel sounds A and U.

Smiling at Daddy

Austin went hunting with Daddy one day, so Braeden and I got out all of the Halloween decorations and went to work. He really enjoyed wearing my witches hat while we worked.

We took our annual trip to the pumpkin patch, and the boys new just what to do.

Best friends

Of course we rode the train.

Had to get a picture of our littlest pumpkin in the patch.

Me and my favorite little guys....just missing my favorite big guy.

There he is!

Austin was so sweet to pull his brother around in the wagon.

And Braeden worked up a sweat pulling the pumpkins in the wagon.

Summer Time

This summer we spent the majority of our time at the bay house. We loved doing all of the things Daddy loves to do, and can't wait to start going back again!

We went on boat rides and fishing trips.

Braeden is all boy, and has no problem holding live shrimp and fish.

Feeding the sea gulls from the back deck is super fun! Braeden didn't mind being outside in his underwear. If you look really close you can see the sea gull in the middle of the picture catching a piece of bread. I really like my new camera, and the fact that it can capture that!

There is even a fantastic playground at Tiki Island.

Aunt Jennifer came to visit us and got to meet Colton for the first time.

We even jumped of the boat dock and swam in the bay water.

But of course, most of our time at the bay house was spent swimming in the pool. Austin was swimming like a pro from one end of the pool to the other in no time!

Colton turned 2 months old while we were at the bay house, and within the week he was laughing his first laughs. He is such a happy baby, and such a blessing to our lives. The boys adore their baby brother, and the feeling is absolutely mutual.