First Full Day in New Mexico

We made it and the weather is beautiful! You can't beat fresh powder and sunny weather for skiing (high of 37 and a low of 9). Taylor participated in a full day of ski school today and seemed to enjoy every minute of it. This of course will be my first time NOT skiing on vacation since I'm 5 months pregnant now. Walking pregnant up hills in high altitude has not been the most fun, however watching Taylor's pure innocent excitement for all things white, cold, and ski-able has been the most fun. Now we just have to remember all the ski school lingo (duck-walk, front pizza wedge, back pizza wedge, and french fry) so that Taylor can try to ski with Daddy and cousin Megan on the green slopes tomorrow.

Wish us luck on our snow-plows!

Where's Taylor? Green suit next to the 3 orange instructors
-no parents allowed so this was the closest we could get.

 

From Our House to Yours!

Thank you so much Heather for taking beautiful family pictures again this year! I can't wait for spring maternity and newborn photos in 2012.

The Night Before the Night Before Christmas...

A new holiday lights tradition this year.

(Shhh, don't tell anyone that we've only lived here for 6.5 years and this was our first time visiting the beautiful Zilker Park Holiday Tree). Why is it that when you grow older your sense of equilibrium changes and you're unable to spin around and around as much as you were able to when you were a child? Spinning around while staring up at the lights is definitely dizzying and blurring, but it's all worth the smiles on your child's face when the huge lit up tree comes into full view for the first time!

Now the lights on 37th Street downtown definitely give you a little more of the "Keep Austin Weird" vibe. Taylor loved seeing the the aluminium foil Tyrannosaurs Rex and Pterodactyl. All a little strange (like the new years baby holding a bottle of bubbly on someones front lawn or the sock monkey nativity scene). All fun nonetheless!

Holiday Traditions

I don't think it would feel like Christmas if we didn't go and check out some local Christmas Light Decorations. For the second year in a row we hopped into the car for a short trip up to Cedar Park to enjoy the lights and splendor of an entire cul-de-sac's idea of Christmas. This year we were served hot cocoa for our walk around the houses. There is literally so much to look at, but just as last year, Taylor's favorite was the house with the two trains running on the front lawn. The dedication of some of these neighborhoods is quite impressive!  

Sugar, Butter, Sugar, Butter

Let the consumption and production of holiday baked goods begin!

Hand mixers are a great kitchen tool to get your little ones (boys) involved.

Anything motorized is a pure magnet for our little guy.

4-0

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANDREW!

This past week we celebrated Andrew's 40th birthday.

 It's really going to be a month long celebration this year and we can't wait!

Why I Love This Picture...

My husband and my son,

whom I both love more than anything.

I know how good the feeling is when a child nestles their little head on your shoulder.

What I love even more is the picture of a man...

older

wiser

stronger

loved

confident

relaxed

happy



This One's Different Than The First...

(1.) The thought of coffee with flavored creamer repulses me.

*Prior to baby #2, I would happily drink my morning cup of coffee everyday, even with Taylor (decaf though)!

(2.) My favorite side to sleep on now is my rightside.

*Ever since settling into marriage, I've always preferred to sleep on my leftside.

(3.) Early on I had horrible right hip pain (strange I know).

*Last time when I was pregnant I had early back pain (luckily the hip pain has subsided but the baby is still nestled on my rightside, interesting).

(4.) I can smell everything near and far!

*Only smells close to me (like certain foods cooking) made me ill before (luckily this has finally subsided too).

(5.) The first recorded heartbeat was 159/min and the second was 148/min.

*Taylor's was usually around 164/min.

(6.) I LOVE Popsicles right now. I take that back, I LOVE anything that's ice cold and in a liquid form. Except for alcohol of course. I do dream of having a glass of wine - boy do I miss that! The holidays make this even harder-sparkling grape juice just isn't the same, except it means that Taylor and I get to cheers each other.

(7.) Morning sickness has nothing on Morning, Noon, and Night sickness!

*I was sick for a while with Taylor, but this new kid on the way has him beat.

(8.) My tummy pooched out much earlier this time.

*I wore my regular clothes happily until the second trimester with the first one.

(9.) And just this past week, I realized the most ridiculous change EVER...I actually do NOT crave chocolate everyday like I normally do. The thought of eating chocolate absolutely doesn't interest me at all lately. How can that be? I love chocolate! Currently, Starbursts, Skittles, and Mike & Ike's are my favorite.

Happy Fall

Thank goodness Summer is over and Fall seems to finally be here.

We sure are enjoying wearing long pants and long sleeves this year!

Even if the pants are too long and need to be rolled up a little...

Halloween 2012

We craved, he posed, he ran from house to house (literally), and we all treated!

We all had a spooktacular night!



Our First Texas Homecoming Game

We've only lived in Texas for six years, and yes we finally witnessed our first football homecoming game under the Friday night lights. All the hype and pomp-and-circumstance lived up to it's name and tradition. Our niece Megan is a sophomore this year and she cheers for the varsity football team. It was super fun to watch her do-her-thang, watch the marching band play, watch the Cy-Fair Bobcat football team win, and to witness the Texas spectacle of the fabulous MUMS. Wow, not only can the mums be huge (worn around their neck nowadays) but they can be loud. All that jiggle-jangle of beads and charms-very impressive!

Tay-Tay and May-May (funny that we still call them that)

All dressed up and ready to go to the dance!

That was our little niece in 2003 as our flower girl...eight years later she sure is
growing up into a beautiful little woman.



Slow Cooker Pork Tacos

From the Cooking Light Fresh Food Weeknight Meals Cookbook:



This new found recipe has become a monthly special around our house lately. It's so easy because it cooks in the slow cooker for 7-8 hours and it taste absolutely delicious!! In the cookbook they pair it with a chimichurri sauce but we found it to be a little overpowering for us, so we just like to whip-up a fresh pico de gallo to go on top.

Ingredients

• 1 (1 1/2-pound) boneless pork loin roast, trimmed
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 8 garlic cloves, minced (we add a extra whole cloves to stuff inside the meat too)
• Cooking spray
• 2 cups chicken stock (such as Swanson's 50% less sodium)
• 1/2 cup water
• 12 (6-inch) corn tortillas
• 6 tablespoons light sour cream (optional)

Preparation

• Rub pork with salt, pepper, and garlic. Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Coat pan with cooking spray. Add pork; cook 3 minutes on each side or until browned. Transfer pork to a 5-quart round electric slow cooker coated with cooking spray. Add stock to pan, scraping to loosen browned bits; cook 2 minutes. Pour stock mixture over pork; add water. Cover and cook on LOW 7-8 hours or until tender.
• Remove pork from slow cooker, and place in a medium bowl. Pour broth into a medium skillet. Bring to a boil over high heat; boil 5 minutes or until reduced to 2/3 cup.
• While broth reduces, shred pork using 2 forks. Stir in broth reduction.
• Warm tortillas according to package directions. Serve pork with tortillas, sour cream, if desired, Chimichurri Sauce, or fresh pico de gallo.

Pico De Gallo Ingredients

2 cups chopped seeded tomatoes
1/2 cup chopped red onion
1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1 1/2 tablespoons chopped seeded jalapeno (about one)
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
1 diced fresh avocado

ENJOY~



A Special Conversation With Taylor...

 

A little Brother or Sister will arrive May 14th!

 



What an incredible 9/11 memorial-

so poignant, strong, meaningful, spiritual, and moving.

Finally a place of beauty for families of lost loved ones to grieve...

Wildfires

Labor Day is suppose to be about celebrating the last days of Summer, NOT about driving into blocked off highways because of a massive wildfire.

Labor Day is suppose to be about having a relaxing BBQ with friends and family, NOT about learning your own neighborhood is on fire.

Labor Day is suppose to be about swimming and having fun, NOT about evacuating from your home with fear in your heart.

This Labor Day was one that we'll never forget! We had actually packed up to leave to Houston Sunday afternoon to begin our fun holiday weekend. About 30 minutes outside of town Andrew got a phone call from the Golf Club alerting him of a grass fire across the street from his work. Due to the high winds it was moving fast and unpredictable. We were worried and on high alert but we continued on to Houston. Within 45 minutes of Austin, we were stopped in our tracks as we watched with our own eyes a wildfire burning right in front of us. We were turned around by state troopers in Bastrop due to a huge wildfire jumping across highway 71. At exactly the same time Andrew's phone starting ringing again, this time it was not his work updating us on the situation in Spicewood, instead it was my brother-in-law telling us that he was standing outside behind his store in Lakeway and could see flames and smoke coming from the Steiner Ranch area. With our faces in complete disbelief and our minds filled with confusion, we started to head north away from the Bastrop fire and with both phones ringing or texting, we had to decide to go back or continue on. My mom, who also lives in Steiner Ranch, was on the phone with me when she said the power had just gone out. Within minutes we started hearing of mandatory evacuations of the entire neighborhood...Andrew and I found ourselves in limbo. Continue on to Houston or return back to Austin...

Getting news and current updates on either fire was a nightmare! Around Bastrop cell phone service was intermittent due to all the police activity. We found a cut-around road and decided to continue on to Houston since we obviously couldn't return home. We were sick with worry for the entire night as we had no idea if our house was going to burn or if it would be safe. Luckily by 6am new information started coming in and we started to breath a little easier. However, knowledge was shared with us that a colleague's house was destroyed along with 24 other homes. After two days away, we are finally back home. The smell of smoke still lingers, but we're are thankful that everyone is safe from this unpredictable weekend wildfire. However, our hearts are very heavy as we know many were not so lucky and have lost everything precious and memorable to them. I know our wonderful community will rally to support and help those in need.

Below is video from Andrew's phone from the Bastrop fire Sunday afternoon...

Preferred Mode of Transportation

Taylor has obviously mastered crawling, walking, skipping, jumping, and running but until just recently he hadn't mastered bouncing. Yes, I just said bouncing! I think as a boy he's going through his Tigger phase, except he doesn't have a tail to boost his bounces so he found the next best thing...

A HOP ALONG BALL

It actually was a Christmas present but until recently has been sitting unused in his closet. Taylor doesn't just take a few bounces and move on...no, no, no he bounces everywhere he goes! To the kitchen to get a drink of water, to the bathroom to do who knows what, around and around the sofa, and around and around the kitchen while we're cooking...it's non-stop for up to 30 minutes at a time! It really couldn't have come at a better time because it's so ridiculously HOT outside that besides the pool or lake, it's currently the only physical activity the boy gets sometimes. The video below shows a lot more of our crazy boy's dinnertime antics...leg and pit 'toots' (where did he learn that from?), bouncing, and exactly what it's like around our house before a meal - we all get a little crazy when we're hungry. Talk about energy! This boy definietly has an unlimited supply!

School Cut

The day is finally here...
The first day of Taylor's second year in preschool!
Taylor already played hooky on Monday with Daddy to go kayaking.
Luckily, it's the very last year where it doesn't actually count against you.

We all visit Ms. Andrea to get our haircuts. Taylor is always happy to go since he gets her complete undivided attention for 20 whole minutes...such a boy already!

A Year Ago...

After a year apart at different schools, but a summer together again, these two know how to pick up right where they left off (literally)!

5 Things To Do Before Summer is Over

My friend Sara recently asked the question above and she must have read my mind since it's all I can think of lately. I might just have to go back to work kicking and screaming this year...luckily I know I won't be the only one!

Here's my list:

(1.) Research how to do an ancient Aboriginal rain dance

(not only for all the dry dying land in the south but to drop the temperature at least 20 degrees). 

(2.) Continue to stay up WAY past my bedtime - 12:30am has been my summer bedtime.

(3.) Get some rest! Since my Taylor alarm clock goes off at 7:00am.

(4.) Read as many trashy/gossipy magazines as humanly possible. Poor George Clooney why is he such a commitment phobe?

(5.) Finish reading the most boring book of my life...who assigns homework over the summer?!!!!!!?

Technically, I only have 6 more days of summer vacation. Sadly, the official last day of summer isn't until September 21st! We have a long way to go baby! My list could definitely continue, but as of today that's what's on my mind.

I'm so blessed and thankful that I love my job and have the summers off to spend with this guy!

Nothing Like the Smell of Gasoline and Burnt Rubber on a Saturday Night!

No the garage wasn't on fire...

(but it might self ignite since it's 107 degrees outside)

But it was - Monster Truck Showtime!

SHOW WARNINGS:

I'm currently hearing impaired (and that's after wearing earplugs).

A huge headache can occur from high performance motor flumes.

Motion sickness may occur after watching the spinning donut misery.

I had a slight heart attack when the transformers had fireworks.

Besides all the side affects, we had a lot of fun!

This was our second Monster Truck show in a year - although we got to see some of the big boys this time (GraveDigger, El Torro Loco, Grinder, Ninja Turtle, King Krunch) we are gearing up for the BIG stadium monster truck show in Houston.

Taylor is beside himself with anticipation!

Watching this video may cause similar symptoms as mentioned above-

Watch at your own risk...

Water Days

Taylor was about two months old when he went for his first boat ride.

 When Taylor was two years old, he still loved going on the boat.

But that's about it, he would not get in the water.

 Now at four, Taylor's wild side is beginning to emerge. Swimming,

jumping off the edge of the boat, and now tubing.

(notice the same Diego lifevest as above...it's time for a new one)



 Last year Taylor watched his cousin Garrett tube but did not want

anything to do with it-just the boat going fast was freaking him out.

This year Taylor couldn't wait to get on that tube-I think he's secretly been waiting to give it a try.

 Today he was adventurous, brave, strong, and as always independent!

Taylor got to ride three times today.

Once with Andrew, once with me, and once with Uncle Tony.

While with me his favorite sayings were:

"Look Mama no hands"

"Let's ride the waves"

(a little dare-devil)



 Andrew had fun water skiing.

Look behind him at how LOW the lake is...

Somehow I actually was able to take a picture with me in it!

The video is a little bit bumpy, but my boys had so much fun!

Do You Wanna Play?

We've had lots of time at the golf course as of late-

Taylor and the rest of the boys in the family played a round of golf over the July 4th weekend

and then Taylor went to Golf Camp the following week.

He rode in the car with his golf glove on the whole way- talk about READY to play!

Where'd my ball go?

Oh, okay it went that way!

Uncle Tony, Uncle Bubba, Cousin Garrett, Daddy, Taylor and Grandpa


Who's Driving?

Taylor enjoyed the "Daddy Time" at the golf course more than the golf camp.

He's turned into a little mini Andrew lately.