Ho! Ho! Ho!

Austin just loved seeing the Big Man in Red at the mall. Chris and I took him to see Santa a few weeks back. We practiced and practiced his ho, ho, ho! and told him that he had to tell Santa what he wanted for Christmas. So between the ho, ho, hos and choo-choos we had rehearsed, we were certain Austin would get his message across to Santa.

When we arrived at the magical place in the mall known as the North Pole, Austin was very much in awe with all the decorations, lights and sounds. He 'Wowed' and applauded just about everything we passed. There were only two families in front of us so we didn't have to wait long.

As we walked up to Santa, Chris holding Austin's hand, the little guy became speechless and seemed to freeze up a bit. He was amazed by what was before him, the real deal, the one and only Santa Claus! As Chris lifted him onto the Big Man's lap, Austin just could not keep his eyes off him and had to face him instead of toward the cameras. There were no ho ho hos or choo-choos but Austin did take Santa's face in his little hands and aimed his chin up to the sky as if to say "Look Santa at all the pretty decorations!"

I tried to cue Austin by saying "Tell Santa what you want for Christmas." No sooner I said that and Santa handed him a small gold train. Austin let out a gasping wow, then smiled for the camera and melted everyone's heart. It could not have been more perfect in my opinion. Living with this little man is like having hundreds of tiny dreams come true every day. It's everything anyone could ever wish for. Well hope you enjoyed Austin's Santa story. And I hope there's more magic to share with you all soon. All our love, Chris, Liz, Austin & Hannah

Missing Da-da

Austin and I spent the week alone as Chris was in Colorado Springs with work. We missed him terribly, especially Austin. Anytime we would go outside and he would see Chris' car parked, he'd point and ask 'da-da? da-da?' Just breaks my heart. We're so fortunate he's only gone a little while this time!

I'm so sorry I've been so out of touch with this blog. There really hasn't been a whole heck of a lot going on and I find myself asking where the day went more and more. To catch up, we went to Maine for Thanksgiving. Had a great time visiting with all of our family up there. The highlight of our trip was most definitely Chris' grandparent's 60th wedding anniversary. Everything was perfect and the bride and groom couldn't have been happier.

Since we've been back there's been lots to do with Santa on his way. Decorating the house became a huge hazard with Austin being so interested and hungry for Christmas lights. Yes he actually tried to eat the lights for snack time one day. So rather than electrocuting our son, we decided to move the tree and other not so child friendly decorations to the den in the basement. Here's a pic of one of the few decorations he can play with. Call it his Christmas Wow! The penguins dance and sing and sure as sugar our little man mimics them too!

I think part of the reason why I haven't posted in so long is that Aussie-roo is getting increasingly more difficult to photograph. I think he's grown old of it and now that he's a walking man he has no problem turning his back to me if I'm pointing a lens in his face. This too shall pass, I sure hope it does.... This afternoon he was a little curious and enjoyed exploring the different elements of my camera. He's really into everything these days, very interested in how things work and how things are taken apart ;o).

Well I hope you are all enjoying the season. Hope to write again soon.

All our love, Liz, Chris, Austin and Hannah

1st owie

Austin got his first owie and if I may boast, he handled it very well. He was playing with Hannah and both were having a great time. It got out of hand when I tried to step in on the fun and Hannah got really excited and all worked up, leaping over the sofa, running through the house and back over the sofa where Austin was still laughing his little pants off and down they both came, with Hannah's paw to Austin's face. He cried all of ten seconds then started laughing at her again.

Oh what fun kids like to have with their puppies. We just can't get over how much he adores Hannah. It was no fault on her part though, she had been playing fetch with him for a while before the incident and was just so happy to see me joining in on the fun. Now everywhere I go people comment on the kitty scratch, 'Oh you must have made your kitty mad!' or 'Kitty got you good huh?'. I think Hannah might be insulted to hear people think she's a cat so don't tell I told you that.

All is good though. He's healed right up, just some bruising now. He's a tough little guy and really strong, but not very daring... curious and creative but not a risk taker... The development of a child's character amazes me, more so than anything else ever has. Austin is just a very complex little person, our very complex little person. Thanks for checking in.

Love to all, Liz, Chris & the rowdy kids

Purple Dragon

Halloween was such a blast with Austin this year, but we really missed sharing it with daddy and other family members. Chris had to work that evening so we headed around the neighborhood to a couple of our friends houses. It was warm out and he got a little uncomfortable after I put his costume on in the house. Once he saw himself in the mirror, and laughed at himself a little bit he was perfectly accepting of his costume.

Austin made himself at home at the McMahon's next store, raiding their treat bowl. He dug through until he found his very favorite, lollipops! The night only got more interesting from there as he was a sticky mess from there on out. We had the most beautiful weather, mid 60s if I remember correctly.

Our friends Amy and Barry and their beautiful little girl Ava had us over to hang out on their front lawn. It was nice for us both to have friends to hang out with on such a beautiful night. Thank you Amy for inviting us over. I must say we have the greatest neighborhood for Halloween. Everyone was outside for the kids to hand out candy, camped out on their front lawns with drinks and goodies, almost like a block party, accept cooler because there was a purple dragon there!

Austin is very much on the run these days, I can't seem to keep him still to even grab a decent photo anymore. He was climbing into shrubs and up on neighbors doorsteps. It's a good thing it was Halloween and perfectly acceptable for little purple monsters to be on your doorstep.

Halloween day I took him to Barnes and Noble to play with the train set (and to get a little early Christmas shopping done). He had such a blast, hope Santa brings him a train set this year. Finally these other photos are from today. I took him outside to play in the leaves. Once again he was on the loose, I couldn't keep up with him and every time he'd start walking, he'd flop down to play with the leaves and take off in sprint-crawl away from me. He's a wild child that's for sure.


We hope you all enjoy the photos and can't wait to hear your feedback.

Love, Liz, Chris, Austin & 'H'

Happy Halloween!!!

Austin would just like to wish all his fellow monsters a very Happy Halloween. Our little man has really taken a liking to this holiday, more than any before. It could be the age he's at, that now he finally notices the decorations, the change in the color of the leaves, and the fact that the pumpkins all have faces :o). Chris and I really never decorated for Halloween, and this year it all started with just the little candle holder (the one I posted about his wow!). Over the past couple of weeks I've found new joy in string lights and felt banners. He gets such a huge kick out of this all it's truly just amazing to see him in such awe with it all.

Sunday night Chris had to work, but Austin and I went over to our good friends the Nudelman's for their annual Halloween party. Austin wore a pumpkin costume, compliments of cousin Ben. He absolutely loved wearing it. He has a passion for jack-o-lanterns now and just got the biggest kick out of the fact that he had a smiling face on his belly. At the party there were about a dozen little ones there with their mommies and daddies. I'd say about half were Austin's age, and we met a few new friends which is always so exciting. Austin really enjoyed playing with the two ladybugs there, Ava and Lilly, both the same age as Austin and both live just around the corner from us.

A huge thank you to Brenda, Nathan, Bella and Addison for such a great party! We had a blast even after we left with all the goodies you gave Austin to play with, his favorite was the pumpkin cup and skeleton straw!

Tonight he's going to dress up in his purple dragon costume which is sure to scare everyone! Enjoy the pictures, I had a tough time chasing the little man and taking them. He's really on the move these days. Thanks for checking in on us. xo Liz xo

Pickin' Punkins'

We brought Austin to the Fall Festival at Homestead Gardens today. We saw all sorts of new things, like a real big tractor piled high with kids. Austin met a few billy-goats who let him pet them. The day was warm here and just lovely. We snacked on Kettle corn and bought fresh apple cider to take home. You have to love this time of year, it's as if we internalize the warmth to welcome the cold and I love, love, love it! Enjoy the pictures and I hope your autumn is turning out to be as cozy as ours is.

xo Liz, Chris, Austin & Hannah xo

Austin's buddy Michael

Hi all.  I thought I'd post a few pictures of one of Austin's friends, Michael.  He came over to play the other day while his mom went to work.  What a sweet baby he is, so gentle and graceful in comparison to out little brute.  The two get along like peas in a pod.  I snapped a couple pictures of Michael, I found the lighting to be excellent for some b&w and I love having new subjects to photograph.  Jenn and Jay, your baby is so beautiful, I hope you like the pics.  

Hope you're all doing great and that you enjoy the rest of you weekends.  xo Liz xo