Port Aransas 2013

We had a great time in Port Aransas this year, and it was nice staying a couple more days than we usually do.  We spent the first few days with Amma and Papa, and then Granmom, Grandad and Megan joined us for the last two.  It was unusually hectic getting away for the trip since Sawyer was sick the morning that we were supposed to leave!  I took him to the doctor that morning and he had an ear infection.  I was able to get a prescription filled and finish packing in time for us to leave with Sawyer just shortly after Amma and Papa left with Benjamin and Evan.  Phew!!

Sawyer had his first taste of Lockhart BBQ when we stopped at Black's.  I'm surprised how well Sawyer did considering his ear infection and two teeth coming in.  Boy does he seem to love Brisket!  That's my Texan!

The house was great for several reasons, but my favorite was that you could view the ocean from the front and the fishing pond from the back.  That was great because it provided entertainment without leaving the house!  Benjamin spent lots of time just hanging out on the back porches (6 total porches) watching the birds and the turtles.  He would run in and consult his bird book every half hour or so!  I think he was in heaven.

Here is B looking at a "Little Blue" heron that you can barely see on the wood outcropping.

It was cool that the boys could go fishing in their pajamas in the morning.  Papa helped them out but I'm afraid they did not catch anything.  However they almost caught about 15 turtles...

Below Benjamin is pondering.....

Evan, silly as usual...

One of my favorite pics of Evan from the trip...sign him up for modeling!

This one isn't bad either...

We enjoyed a routine of getting up early, watching Wimbledon, going to the pool, taking a nap, then going to the beach in the afternoon.  It was Sawyer's first time to really experience the beach since he was only 3 months when we first came with him.  He did not take to it at first, but he warmed up slowly.

Benjamin seemed to really love the beach this time around, especially digging in the sand and looking for tiny creatures.  Evan was not very interested in the water, and played mostly in the sand with his trucks and shovels.  

We always came back to take a bath before dinner, which seemed to be Evan's favorite part of the day.  The other boys liked it too.

It was difficult to keep Sawyer from the stairs in a 3 story house with no usable baby gates.  When Sawyer did manage to escape, he really enjoyed them.

The birding center was the best part for me, and for Benjamin.  I was so excited to share this with him since he has become so enthused with birds.  We went there once in the evening and twice EARLY in the morning.  The birds that we saw included:  several kinds of Herons, Comorants, Ruddy Ducks, Black Bellied Whistling Ducks, Magnificent Frigate Birds, Egrets, and Roseated Spoonbills.  It was awesome!

I did manage to get the boys on the beach in their cute matching shirts, but it was challenging to get any good pictures of all of us on the beach.  Out of about 500 pics, I might have gotten a handful of good ones.

This is the best family pic that we got!  What does that say about us??!!

The trip was fantastic even though I was exhausted by the end of it.  I feel sure there is a day around the corner when our family trip to the beach can be more restful.  Despite the stress, I am really excited about establishing a similar tradition for my boys as I experienced growing up.  This place is so dear to my heart and it is really special sharing it with my children.  What a blessing that God has given me this family and these times to spend sharing His provision with them!

7 Year Itch?

Lance and I celebrated our seventh anniversary last week!  It 

definitely doesn't feel like an itch because we seem to be happier than ever! With three beautiful children and lots of love and support from our family, life could not be any better.  Most of all, we have been walking with the Lord more faithfully than ever.  I am sure that it has made all the difference.

Even though it was Monday, Lance and I were able to get out to dinner on our own.  We tried a new Sushi restaurant that my friend Katherine recommended.  We were surprised that there was such a highly rated restaurant that we haven't even heard of before.  It was very delicious, and almost as good as Uchi.  Over sushi rolls and friend camembert, Lance and I enjoyed a conversation about where we are and where we are going.

Megan is Here!

My niece Megan has moved to Austin from Hawaii.  She is 22 years old and has lived in Hawaii since she was 9 or so.  We are very excited to have her here and to get to know her better since it is hard to spend much time with someone living so far away.  The boys will also have the chance to know one of their only two cousins!  She seems to love playing with them, and her silliness is very appealing to them.  Megan came bearing gifts, which always works with young children.  We look forward to having a bigger family here in Austin!

HIs First Party

I'm finally getting around to posting about Sawyer's birthday party.  I thought summer was supposed to be a "break", but it seems more busy than the rest of the year!  

I decided to make a birthday cake using blueberries, since that has been his favorite food.  He will eat an entire container of them if I let him!  After doing a google search on blueberry cake, I found a recipe that included lemon.  It had four layers of blueberry lemon cake with lemon buttercream and lemon curd filling.  I have learned from past stressful birthdays to start the process ahead of time, and I froze the cake before layering and decorating it.  I was able to pull off a lovely ruffle pattern for the frosting, and I really loved the results!

Poor Sawyer was getting sick the day of his party.  Thankfully, he did not really start showing symptoms until after his party.  But I'm sure that it affected his mood, as he seemed at times a little tired and did not seem that hungry for cake :(

Overall, it was a great time and I think the perfect number of guests were here.  Lance played the birthday song from Nick Junior and we all danced around.  By far the favorite part for Sawyer was the balloons!

Approaching One

In the past few weeks, Sawyer has really changed.  He has become much more interactive and seems to understand a lot of what I tell him.  He has been pointing at everything he sees, both to ask what it is and to tell me that he wants it.  He makes cute little sound affects that go with the pointing too.  Although he has not said a clear word yet, I swear he has said "more", "no", "yum", and "cow".  He is very happy these days and his smile is just infectious.  When his brothers are entertaining him, Sawyer has the biggest belly laughs I've heard.  

Sawyer is starting to stand for short periods without assistance and walks quickly when we hold his hands.  He is able to operate a toy top by moving the handle down and then up, which seems quite intuitive for his age.  Sawyer also enjoys making music with a xylophone and the tambourine.  He is a pretty good eater at this point and, like his brothers, his early favorite is blueberries.  I think I will have to incorporate them into his birthday cake!

Sawyer just makes me so happy and I am thrilled that we decided to go for number 3!

My Preschool Graduate

Benjamin has officially "graduated" from preschool!  Brandi, the director of the boys' school, told me that they would be having a cute little ceremony for the three boys who would be leaving in the Fall.  I had no idea just how cute and special it would be.  I also had no idea how bittersweet it would be for Benjamin, Brandi, and for me.  Benjamin has been attending this school for more than four years, since he was 15 months old.  This has been his second family. They have taken care of and nurtured Benjamin in a way that I am so thankful for.  I am relieved to know that I don't have to say goodbye yet, as Evan and Sawyer will have plenty of time there in the coming years.

We went to the ceremony straight after the last football lesson, with both sets of grandparents in tow.  We crammed into the tiny classroom, which was filled with big adult chairs.  Then Benjamin and the other graduates proudly marched down the aisle in their adorable caps and gowns.  They sang songs with accompanying dance moves, which seemed even more adorable because they were all boys.  Benjamin had a look on his face that I had never seen.  I think he was somewhat shell shocked, being up in front of all of those adults and performing.  Despite the fear I know he had, he was so brave in following the script that Brandi had taught them.  SO PROUD!!!!

Their First Football

The boys had their last football lessons on Saturday.  It was a great experience all around.  I thought it would be perfect because it was for ages 3-5, so both boys could do it.  At first I wondered if it was a mistake since it seemed too easy for Benjamin, and Evan didn't want to do it at all.  Well, after a couple of sessions Evan decided that he just might enjoy it.  Enjoy it he did!  I was so proud of Evan to jump in full throttle after his initial hesitation, and although it was easy for Benjamin his continuous smile let me know that it was not a mistake.  The coach was awesome, and I can't imagine a better one to teach 3-5 year old boys how to play football.  I know that I would NOT have the patience!  I think I will miss my Saturday morning football at Zilker.....