Memorial Day Weekend

This past holiday weekend we traveled to visit Shane's family in south Texas! Shane was down in Austin last week, so on Friday Austin & I drove down and met Shane before heading to see his parents! We had a wonderful trip- only stopped one time (in Austin) to eat lunch and drop off my car! Austin did so good traveling!!! He just sat in the back and played with toys, napped, and looked out the window.

For those of you that don't know, we got a minivan a few weeks ago. I wasn't happy about it... hence why I haven't mentioned it before now. I've always been one of THOSE people that said I'd never have one. Well, Shane picked one for his work vehicle, so I didn't really have a choice. It's a nice one- a Toyota Sienna. But I'll admit that after this trip, I like it a lot more. I still don't like the idea of it, but oh well! We had a lot of room, and Austin had lots of windows to look out of during the drive. I do love the automatic door feature too!

We arrived at my in-law's house on Friday around dinnertime. We took a quick tour of the garden (we brought home tons of goodies!) Then we went and checked out the chickens which Austin always enjoys! After dinner we took him outside to the tree swing. Papa Gary had 2 regular swings last time we visited, but had set up a baby swing for this trip. Austin LOVED it!

Watching the chickens

Swinging

On Saturday Mat, Shanna, and Evie (our niece) arrived! Austin had a fun time with Evie- he is still so curious about her. We had to monitor the interaction because he is like a bull in a china closet and Evie is still pretty fragile at 6 weeks old! While the three of them napped from a long trip, we took Austin out to swim in the baby pool that Gran got for him. I'd say that was his favorite part of the weekend (as is evident by the pictures below!) He just splashed and splashed, climbed in and out of the pool, etc. Shane also helped his mom with some yard work that needed to be done! That evening we enjoyed homemade chocolate ice cream and other desserts when all of Gran's family came over to visit!

Swimming (well, splashing mostly!)








Evie didn't like the pool at first, but then she got the hang of it!

This is what Austin does when he's around people he doesn't remember- the stare down. Cute outfit, huh?

Shane, Maw Maw & Austin

We got up early and headed to church on Sunday morning! After lunch and a nap, we headed out to see Papa Gary's side of the family- they all enjoyed seeing the kids. The guys did a little fishing that evening while Sharon & I took the kids for a walk! The weather was so beautiful all weekend long!

Daddy & Austin

The Lumpkins men

On Monday we had a big breakfast & then spent more time with extended family before heading home. Our trip took 10 hrs on the way home- horrible! Lots more stops & awful traffic. Now I remember why I don't like to travel on holiday weekends. Maybe Gran & Papa Gary can come up here next time! :)

One last picture- Austin's new favorite "toy" is the watering can. He walks around the house with it. Max just thinks that means he gets to go outside...

From the last week

To end the harassment (from Papa Jim), here are some new pics and video......

Last Friday evening we had our friends, Jared & Leah, over for dinner. Their son, Reid, is 2 weeks younger than Austin- so they are good buddies! Reid has been walking a while longer than Austin, so it was funny to see Austin watch Reid run around!









Just a few from the last couple of days


He's a paci boy for sure (yes, one in his hand & one in his mouth)


Also loves playing with diapers... AKA making a mess.


I found Max hiding in Austin's room today.... sneaky


More walking... and boy is he keeping me BUSY!




Have a great weekend! :)

Walking

And here's the proof...

Moving around

UPDATE BELOW
Just a few short videos of Austin cruising around with his walker. It was so funny- I've had it out for months, but it just peaked his interest in the last few days.... and now he loves it! He will also take 5-7 steps at a time when walking between Shane & I!






In the last few days Austin has starting walking around a lot more! He will walk halfway across a room, and only start crawling once he falls! Usually it's about 8-10 feet! And he pushes everything around now- boxes, toys, tables.... it's about to get CrAzY around here!

1 Year Pictures

Sorry it took me a few days to post Austin's 1 yr pictures- there was a slight delay in getting the proofs to me! We had the pictures taken in mid-March at the Ft Worth Arboretum! Austin was very interested in all of his surroundings, so he wasn't being very cooperative with our photographer! Thanks to Laurie for doing a great job (she is the photographer that did Austin's newborn pictures as well!)

Easter & Evie!

My niece, Evie, was born yesterday- but since Austin & I have been sick we didn't get to go see her until today! So here are some pictures that I took today!

Evie Charmaine Dusza
April 16, 2009 at 8:05am
7 lbs 1 oz
19 inches long

Evie & Mommy


Evie & Aunt Whitney


Evie & Gran


The happy family of 3!


Check out all her pretty dark hair!


Austin having fun with Papa Gary


We are so excited to have Evie in the family- now Austin has a cousin to play with, AND Shane & I are finally an Aunt & an Uncle! Congratulations to Mat & Shanna on your beautiful baby girl!

Now Easter pics~ Austin started getting sick on Saturday night, so he was not a happy camper on Easter day. He still enjoyed his Easter basket though- especially the eggs (that I put pennies in- he loved shaking them) & his book!

Family picture at our small group Easter dinner after church on Saturday night


Cuddling with daddy- poor sick boy


Checking out the goodies!


One last picture of Austin to make you smile. Yes, he has socks in his mouth- can you tell he's teething? And a remote in his hands.

Colorado Trip

Last Thursday we left for our first trip alone without Austin... and I'll admit I was REALLY sad. When I was rocking Austin to sleep on Wednesday night AND before his nap on Thursday morning, I cried. But I didn't cry when we headed to the airport! Friday was probably the hardest day because it was my first day in over a year to not see him at all...but we survived AND had a wonderful trip!

Our flight was delayed a few hours so we ate lunch at the airport before heading to Denver. Our good friends, Jared & Leah, picked us up at the airport (their flight came in earlier.) We met Jared & Leah in our childbirth classes & their son, Reid, is just 2 weeks younger than Austin! So this was our first time to get away together without the boys and really get to know one another!

After a very scenic drive in the mountains, we arrived in Dillon where the condo was located. We got settled & then headed into town to look around and eat dinner! We ate at this great little local place where you pick out your steak and then cook it yourself- it was fun (and yummy!) We headed to bed early because we had an early start on Friday morning!

Leah & I with our fillets

Cooking our steaks

Friday we spent the day at Winter Park! Jared & Leah went skiing while Shane & I did other things (since I can't ski because of the problems with my leg.) So we shopped for a while, then took the lift up to the top of the mountain & ate lunch in the lodge. Jared & Leah met us afterwards for some hot chocolate, then went off skiing again. We took the lift back down and got pelted with snow- I think there was close to 10" of fresh snow that day! We spent the rest of the afternoon enjoying the resort & relaxing before heading back to the condo. We were all exhausted so we did some shopping followed by a fancy dinner of pizza & wine! :) And a movie!

The lift that we took up to the lodge for lunch

Outside the lodge after lunch- it was COLD!

Taking another ride at Winter Park

A scenic stop on our way back

Saturday we slept in and then headed to Copper Mountain. Jared & Leah did more skiing while we went tubing! We had a blast! I was a little hesitant at first, but after a while I was going down the fast slopes, going over jumps, going down on my tummy, racing Shane, spinning, etc! We met Leah for lunch afterwards while Jared finished up skiing, and then we headed to Vail for some shopping! That evening we ate a wonderful dinner in Breckenridge & then went to relax in the hot tub for a bit! That day we got almost 20" of snow- crazy, huh?

Sledding

Vail

Dinner in Breckenridge (can you tell the guy behind us was annoyed with the picture taking??)

Sunday was our last day, so we spent the morning cleaning up the condo before heading back into Denver. We ate lunch at Cheesecake Factory (so yummy) and then headed to the airport! Overall we had a WONDERFUL time and cannot wait until our next "no kids" trip with Jared & Leah! Thanks again for inviting us along guys, and for being such a wonderful tour guide, Jared!

I will admit that I was SO excited to get home and see my sweet little boy though! My mom and her best friend, Linda were keeping Austin while we were gone! My two aunts also decided to come join the fun, so needless to stay Austin was spoiled by 4 grandma's this week! Thanks to Gigi, Nana, Granna, and Nana for taking care of our little boy!

Pics of Austin in the next post...including his 1 yr pictures!