San Diego or Bust!

Last weekend we went to go visit our little Afgan Moss. He moved to San Diego a couple of months ago and we thought it would be a fun little road trip for our family + Farid who came with us also.

We thought it would be fitting to visit the temple, because it would be Austin's first time there and it's within a week of our anniversary.

After we went to the temple we ate lunch and this was our view...

We met up with Moss and his girlfriend and went to Balboa Park. We are actually standing in the fountain and kids were swimming around us.

Desiree, Moss and Austin

The Boys: Moss, Farid, Austin and Paul

Moss thanks for a great Saturday. Hope to do it again ;-)

Daddy's Day Off

Paul took a well deserved day off last Monday. We had a lazy morning playing with Austin. While Austin was taking his morning nap Paul took the missionaries to play golf (it was their prep. day). He came home around 3:30 and we got ready to go to Disneyland. Well it was Monday and Disneyland closed at 6pm and there weren't lines it was great!

We went on all the Storybook rides, because during their on season they usually have the longest lines. Both of us haven't been on these rides in a LONG time. We went on Snow White's ride first and they aren't kidding when they call it "scary adventures". I was surprised, but maybe we were being over sensitive because we had the baby with us.

Austin waiting in line patiently

Getting ready to go on Dumbo.

He's pulling with all of his might!

They day had proved to be too much excitement for the little one, so sweet when he sleeps :-)

Austin's Fall Pictures (5 1/2 Months)

Laundry Day!

Move over Kali there is a new love in Austin's life

I don't know if there are words to describe this, but it was so cute and it went on for about 10 minutes of him loving himself in the mirror.

And for those of you who are wondering about our bedroom furniture...I know who had a headboard with mirrors and gold trim...This is still Paul's original furniture from when he was a teenager.

The Phrase: Sleeping like a baby (finally rings true)

So as I am sure many new mom's make the usual first parent mistakes. Ours was putting Austin to sleep in his swing. It was just easier and I was so tired from not sleeping through the night. So our little bundle of joy became accustomed to his swing and wouldn't sleep any where else. For a while this worked until he wasn't getting good naps. I was trying all different types of advice that I got from family and friends, but I think the thing that worked was that our Austin was ready for a change.

So I tried darkening the room and reading him a book to help calm him down. Then I put him in his crib and played his mobile. There were a few protests on his part but soon he was fast asleep. I was so proud of my little boy and our accomplishment.

Here is sleeping close to the baby monitor so that I could hear him snoring.

Almost 6 months and we are starting to get the hang of things :-)

Ever wonder what happens to your children when the grandparent's are babysitting?

They let the baby swim on his own (not really my parent's and I were out of the shot, I just thought it looked funny :-) But they do take him swimming and he loves it!

They like to play dress up. Good thing Austin looks so cute everything.

As you can see Austin is really excited about wearing a traditional Indonesian hat.

But what really happens when mommy and daddy are away is that Austin is given lots of love and fun grandparent's to play with.

Austin and Mommy

"Children grow up when you are not looking. They'll be years ahead for cleaning and cooking. So quiet now cobwebs. Dust go to sleep. I am rocking my baby and babies don't keep."I am literally watched Austin grow I am so blessed and thankful that I get to be a stay at home mommy. Every day is something new. He is growing and developing so fast I am just trying to soak it all in and live in the moment. Becoming a mother is such an amazing blessing that has taught me so much. I am so thankful for my Heavenly Father who has sent this sweet spirit into our home.

He is on the MOVE!!!

The Process of the ROLL

He is getting ready...looking around making sure that people will see his accomplishment.

Then he throws his leg over...striking a pose

Rolls on to his side, musters up all his strength to lift his huge head and...

He did it! He is on his tummy! and thinks to him self "mom did you see what I did"

"Look at me mom I rolled over all by my self!"

Our next goal is to roll back on to our back :-)

He's a Swinger Baby, Yeah!

For family time we often take a walk around our neighborhood. Around the corner from our house is a park and we usually sit there and watch the other children play. He loves looking side to side watching the kids swing and go down the slide. This time we decided that he might be ready to be one of those kids and we put him in the swing for the first time.

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 :-(