Friday, November 28, 2008

Thanksgiving 2008

We made it through a full day of Thanksgiving festivities (Thursday). We followed tradition by eating way too much, but we wouldn't have it any other way. We started out at Aunt Bonnie's for lunch and then we had some people over to watch the UT/A&M football game. Hook 'em!!!! The kids loved having everyone over and they obviously were exhausted because they are currently 3 hours into their nap. I think that's a record!!!!!
This was my best attempt for a pic with all 3.....

Caleb wasn't int he mood for Austin's hugs.


Wes & Caleb.


Who needs toys? All we need is dirt!

We are headed for Round #2 tonight at Doug & Dorothy's. More food.....

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Happy Thanksgiving...

This week we put a special emphasis on things we are thankful for. We could make a list a mile long of all the things we have to be thankful for. At the top of the list would be our family and friends and farther down the line would be things less meaningful, but just as important, like diet coke and baby wipes. This year we are especially thankful for our new home, a place we will be making many memories as we watch the kids grow.

66th wedding anniversary!!!

I just got off the phone with my grandma Keen. I called to wish her and my grandpa a Happy 66th Wedding Anniversary. 66 years.... kind of hard to imagine being with someone that long. Wes and I are just a few years behind - 6! I asked her if they were going on a "hot date" tonight. She said they were going to be going to lunch at a new restaurant in town and then coming home to cook for Thanksgiving dinner. They were looking forward to it! I love the fact that they still have a very deep love for one another. They've given us a great example of what endless love means!

Monday, November 24, 2008

Thursday, November 20, 2008

9 months old







Caleb Wesley is 9 months old!!! Where has the time gone? Seems like just yesterday we were enjoying the look on everyone's face when we told them we were expecting again. I still don't know who Caleb looks like. When I compare him to pics of Avery & Austin, I think he favors Avery. Still there are times we see someone for the first time in a while and they say he looks just like Austin. I guess he looks just like Caleb!!!
Caleb is crawling everywhere, pulling up on everything, and I think we will see him taking his first steps sooner than later. He's a great eater, prefers table food compared to the bottled baby food. He has been sleeping through the night for months now and LOVES to cuddle and give opne mouth kisses. Sometimes he will just bury his head in your shoulder and snuggle. Laugh... laugh... laugh... nothing sweeter than hearing Caleb laugh and fortunetely it's something we get to hear a lot. He likes to have your attention and therefore isn't a big fan of being set down and left alone. He'd prefer to be held or really loves to sit down on the floor and play with us. Avery and Austin love their baby brother. Avery likes to help change his diaper and when he starts to stir in the morning, she says "Mama, Caleb wake. Go get him." Then we both go in his room and before I can pick him up, she is saying, "Good morning, Caleb. How are you today?" Caleb just smiles....

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

"Night, night moon..."

This morning as we were loading up to go to school, Austin looked up in the sky and noticed that the moon was still out. He looked up and said, "Moon, moon, you need to go night night. Sun is up."

Quiet time....

It doesn't happen often, but on occasion.... when the stars are aligned just right.... we are able to enjoy a short span of peace where all the kids are content and Wes and I are able to get a few things done without interuption. I just put dinner dishes away and the kids migrated to their play room. They are still playing quietly... Austin & Avery are building lego castles and Caleb is crawling around exploring. I stay close enough in case something were to happen, yet far enough away to where they can't see me and continue play on their own.

Saturday, November 15, 2008

A tribute to Riley....




"Our" beloved dog Riley passed away today. I say "our" dog because I gave him to Wes as a Christmas gift back in 1997, but Wes was a sophmore in college and apartment life wasn't ideal for a yellow lab, though it was attempted. So, my in-laws inherited Riley and he never left there. They weren't crazy about keeping Riley at first, but after a few months, I knew we would never ask for him back. He was just that kind of dog... we all loved him. In his prime, Riley LOVED to play fetch, enjoyed boat rides at the lake, and thought it was a treat to get to ride into town on the back of the truck... he slobbered the whole way there and back as his head hung over the side. I remember throwing sticks in the tank and he would run... jump... swim to get the stick and then back on the bank he'd shower us with water as he shook off. Over the last year or two Riley really slowed down and a belly rub is all it took to make his day. Oh how I wish I would have given him more belly rubs. Unfortunetely Riley has not ranked very high on Avery and Austin's list these last few months (they use to love him)... they claim to be scared of him... so Riley hasn't been around us much when we have gone over to visit. We have discussed getting a dog of our own, but I have always been hesitant because I think we'll always try to compare the new puppy to Riley and I don't think any other dog would live up to those expectations. We will miss you, Riley!!!!

Thursday, November 13, 2008

A few conversations....

Austin: "Mama, I want a snack."
Me: "In a minute, Austin, I need to change Caleb's diaper."
Austin: "He have poopo0, mama?"
Me: "yes"
Austin: "Ahh, that's gross, mama."

I was showing Avery and Austin some toys in a catalog I got in the mail.
Avery: "Avery want that one, mama. That's cool."

Wes: "Austin, what do you tell daddy when he sees a big buck?"
Austin: "Shoot 'em"

Saturday, November 8, 2008

THIS is American Idol


Watch out Kelly Clarkson... Avery Maurer may top your record sales with her latest rendition of "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star"


In his mismatching jammies.... Austin's bringing sexy back!


"Oh yeah, I can flow."

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

We cheered anyway


So the UT/Tech game didn't have the end result we were hoping for. We had a few people over for the game and the majority of the excitement of the game happened well after bedtime. Caleb slept through most of it, but Austin and Avery fought sleep and were awake for the last few minutes when most of the disappoinment occured. When UT scored and went up in the 4th quarter, all the guys started yelling and carrying on. It scared Austin & Avery and they both started crying. They didn't know what was going on.



Saturday, November 1, 2008

Happy Halloween!!!!!

Well, we survived a night of trick or treating. Austin and Avery did really good actually and Caleb was a trooper until the end when he was tired of getting in and out of the car seat... can't say I blame him. The kids have enough candy and fruit snacks for the year and some will magically wind up at work with me on Monday to give away.

As you see below, Avery and Austin were giraffes, very cute giraffes I might add.











We kept it simple with Caleb and just did the pumpkin onesie. I realized with A&A that the whole costume with a wiggly baby isn't enjoyable, especially getting in and out of the car.

Kennedy came to see us before we headed out trick or treating. She was adorable...


Pumpkin Patch

The pumpkins were pretty picked through when we finally made it to the "pumpkin patch" at one one of the church daycares here in town. Ms. Tomlinson was the official picture taker and she got some good pics of the kids that I ordered. Here's few shots I was able to get...





Look mom it's a ???

She said "This pumpking too heavy, mama. You do it."

Thanks Toppe for going with us!!!!
Caleb's 1st pumpkin pics. Such a cutey!