Exersaucer! (Thanks Richard, Patty and kids)

I know, I swear it is Paul and he is building something (I knew he could do it). This past weekend Paul built the Exersaucer, which was actually very involved and a challenge to put together. But after about an hour and Austin and I waiting patiently it was done.We got this as a gift from my aunt and uncle from Holland. By the way this is Austins new favorite toy, well besides the tried and true (his hands)

He likes to grab hold and bounce, yup there are springs inside and he bounces up and down, giggling the whole time.

Happy Baby

Thank Richard, Patty and the kids

and yes Jeff you are my favorite cousin...that is AFTER your sisters :-)

Opa is back!

My parent's just came back from being gone for 3 weeks in Indonesia and to a grandparent it can seem like an eternity. Ever since they have been back they can't get enough of Austin. My dad wanted to match Austin so he wore his hat :-)

Keeping Family Close

We (me and my side of the family) have a lot of family overseas and one of the ways that we keep in contact with them is through Skype. It is a free program where you can call anyone who also has the internet and a online camera and you can talk to them and they can see you on the screen. On this particular occasion on of my uncle's in Holland was having a party where all of my relatives were. It was so neat because they all got to meet Austin for the first time without having to make the costly trip out here.Austin is meeting is Great Grandma for the first time :-)

Summer is here and that means POOL TIME!

Summer is here and it's hot! So we spend our time cooling off in the pool and Austin couldn't be happier.

My little water baby. Austin and Daddy enjoying the cool water and having fun splashing around.
Austin is enjoying his after swim snack which doubles as his favorite toy...his hand :-)

Daddy is also enjoying fun in the sun!

Austin is showing us how he is a big boy and can swim!

Austin's First Summer

This summer is Austin's first summer. There are so many things that Austin enjoys.

Austin loves to layout by the pool and play with Oma's toys.He loves to go to Disneyland especially at night so he can see all of the pretty lights.
Austin loves the beach but the wind is not his friend.

He also went into the pool for the first time and had so much fun

We look forward to making many more memories with Austin and our summer time activities.

Getting ready to organize and clean.. Do you think austin will help me?

Man V. Food

This is Adam from the Travel Channels show "Man V. Food". Adam travels the country to look for really good food. Along his travels he will will usually find a challenge as well such as: eating the hottest chicken wings, biggest burrito or burger. While watching this show one night was saw that Adam went to Los Angeles for a burrito challenge, but before he went to his challenge he stopped by a couple of places first. One of the places he stopped by was Philippe, the home of the french dip. Few know that the french dip actually doesn't come from the french at all. But an man with the last name french came into the store to get a roast beef sandwich and the bun landed in the Aus ju sauce. He said he wanted the sandwich anyways and thus created the french dip.

Since they are known for their french dip sandwiches we tried their beef and lamb sandwiches. They were tasty.

Paul really enjoyed himself :-)

Its a Sassy

We love Sassy products, namely due to the name (it reminds me of Austin). We got him a jumper and installed it yesterday because when we were holding him he always wants to try and stand so we figured this will give him some good practice. He still seems a little unsure about his new toy but I am sure with time he will grow to love it.

Game on!

For those of you who know Paul he can be an instigator someone who will challenge you to do something...we such was the case at his work. At his work an office became available that was bigger and better. He and another co-worker wanted that office. So Paul decided to challenge his co-worker to bowling and the winner won the new office. Paul talked a big game all week at his office and everyone was there to root these too on. Little did we know that the guy he was playing with showed up with his own ball...well that screams to me with someone who has more than an average persons experience. So Paul got conned and at this very moment he sits in his small office. Maybe next time :-(

Relaxing in the Afternoon Sun

The other day it had cooled off enough for us to enjoy our backyard. The birds were chirping and there was a nice breeze. Austin and I set out some blankets on the grass and we were practicing rolling over and having fun with tummy time. He also enjoyed laying on his back looking at the trees, birds and other things in our backyard. He also loved listening to all of the birds. It was so nice and relaxing that both of us even took a nap outside.

DISNEYLAND!!!

We did it, we bought passes and couldn't be happier. All of us love Disneyland! We bought our passes at Costco (if you buy it there they give you a $50 gift card to Disneyland that you can use to add on parking or buy food).

What a wonderful way to spend time with family. What a wonderful day and we get to do it all year round!

When we got there it was warm so we rode the train to cool off.

Austin's very first ride and very fitting if you know Paul. He rode the Haunted Mansion. Austin did a great job. He loved the air conditioning and looking at all of the lights and moving objects.
Austin's second ride was the Jungle Cruise. He really didn't see much of the jungle, he was to busy making eyes at the little girl in front of him.

So sweet the lions are watching the Zebra sleep! We chose the Non-Swinging Gondola, since it was Austin's first time (also his dad is a little scared of the swinging one)

One of many many photo shoots to come

A couple of weeks ago we were taking pictures at the Sears Portrait Studio if you buy their membership ($10) you can get a free 8 x 10 every time you visit. So that is exactly what we did. Paul and Austin wanted to take pictures with one another with all of the Ferrari Gear. These two are so cute together!

Like Father, Like Son

Austin got to enjoy Paul's Father's day gift too. Austin now has a great love and appreciation for cars just like his dad.

Austins first time behind the wheel.

Daddy showing how the "Triptronic" works

Give it a couple of years Austin and you will be able to see over the steering wheel and one day be able to drive a cool car just like this.

Austin's Blessing

June 7, 2009

Austin was blessed by Paul at our ward a couple of Sundays ago. For those of you who are unfamiliar with what a blessing is...a blessing is for newborn babies whose fathers (or other priesthood holder) publicly offers a prayer to our Heavenly Father and asks for specific and/or general blessings to be given to Austin. This prayer is given in front of our church. Austin's formal name is also given to written down for the records of the church, but he doesn't become an official member until he is baptised (this happens when he is eight years of age).

Austin and his gal pal Kali Kaleen with the future in laws

For more information about our faith visit www.mormon.org

Father's Day Part 2

So this is a continuation of last weeks Father's Day. I told Paul that my mom and dad were going to babysit and we would be able to have a date night. So he came to my parent's house after work, a little grumpy because he had a long day at work. I gave him his activity card (which was left over from last week) and it said there was some thing in the garage for him. He never thought it would be a Cayman Porsche!I rented him a car for Fri. - Sat. I know he loves cars and its pretty had to appreciate a minivan :-)

Returned the car at the rental place and they let my dad and Paul start up the Ferrari, it was so exciting.

Daddy Celebration Part 1

Austin was so excited for the festivities to begin. He prepared a box that doubled as a card and gift. Inside were cards telling his daddy what we were going to do first. The first place we went was Paul's favorite place to eat, Don Jose. Then were off to the Petersen Automotive Museum where we saw old, new and silly cars.

This car is called the "Austin - Seven Chummy"

What were they thinking...you can't see it but the interior is crushed velvet - AWESOME!

The Bat Mobile!

The love of Ferrari's brings these two together

After the Museum we took Paul to get an hour massage. The celebrations are not over, they will continue next week with his birthday.

Thank you Paul for being such a wonderful husband and a fantastic dad. You have really shown me what a wonderful father you can be. Thank you for all of your hard work, compassion, love and patience.

Happy Father's Day