Austin's Party...

Austin opening his birthday presents...
Looks like Nate was doing more of the unwrapping. :)
Cupcakes...
Austin, not sure what to do... :)
Some of his little friends that came to the party...
The birthday banner...

We had Austin's party last Saturday morning. He had a great time (besides the few meltdowns) and got lots of great presents. We tried to keep it small, since he is quite shy these days, and ended up with 7 kids total, which was the perfect amount for him. We started out with lunch, played for a while, then had cupcakes and ice cream, and finally the presents! Overall it was a success, and quite the experience for this newby party thrower.
The biggest hit was the balloons tied to each chair...who knew how much entertainment they could provide?? Certainly not I!

The Big 2!

Yesterday was Austin's 2nd birthday! We opened family presents last night and then had a birthday party for him this morning. He is so exhausted from all the festivities of Thanksgiving, birthday, and party, that he is still sleeping from his nap now, going on three hours now!
We are so thankful to the Lord for giving us this little guy. What a huge blessing he has been in both Nate and I's life, and truly I couldn't imagine life without him.

What Austin likes these days...

1. Tools (as shown in the picture above), he got two new sets for his birthday and won't put them down. He is still working on the sharing thing. ;)
   
2. Cars...he loves all the car gear from the movies "Cars". We bought the movie for him for his birthday, but he wasn't too interested in that...still not into movies yet.
3. Curious George...this is the only tv show he is really interested in watching. For some reason it really appeals to him, and I am very thankful to have a little break during the day.
4. Books...his two favorites right now are Counting 1,2,3 and Goodnight Moon. His favorite word right now is "hot", so all the pictures in Goodnight Moon that have a fireplace in them, he has to point out to me that it is "hot".
5. Being outside...he loves to go out and play in the snow. Unfortunately for him, his momma isn't too big on going outside in the cold with him...thankfully his daddy indulges him. :)

We love you little Austi!

Happy Thanksgiving!

We hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving day!

Backtracking...

Sorry this is such a late post AND the pictures aren't even edited. I always wait to post until I can edit them, but lately that hasn't been happening. If it does, by the time I edit them, it is too late to post...so here are some fairly recent pics.
We had friends over on Halloween night. Nate had picked up a TON of candy from work that day, and we didn't want to keep it all ourselves so we invited some friends over to help the pile dwindle down...and really just for some fellowship. :) Austin and Morgan had such a great time together. They were laughing non stop and running around wild. They really only had two pieces of candy each, but they acted like they had about 10. It was FUNNY!
Hope your day is filled with smiles!

Trip to Southern California...

Dinner in Downtown Disney...

Austin playing the piano in Donald Duck's playhouse...
Austin playing in the "playground" of Disneyland...
Yes, Austin's favorite thing of the day was the slide...that was one expensive slide ride!


Last Thursday we left for a quick trip to Southern California. Nate had a conference to attend in the area, so Austin and I tried our luck and got Space A seats to join him. We are SO glad that we did, it was a much needed trip away from the cold, snow and all the sickness that we are experiencing here.

Highlights/Things to remember...
1. We were the LAST ones to check in to the hotel (from our group) and there were no regular rooms left. SO...they gave us a double master suite to stay in for the weekend. It was WONDERFUL! Austin had his own room and bathroom plus we had a living room for him to run around in as well...it was LUXURY!
2. The hotel had two outdoor pools that were heated...Austin and I had a fun time swimming while Nate was in seminars soaking up knowledge on the AF. :)
3. The conference ended Sunday morning so we spent the day at Disneyland, which was within walking distance down the street. We went on rides in the morning and then let Austin play in the play area next to Mickey Mouse's house...the slide received the most smiles from him...apparently he is just as happy at a playground then he is at Disneyland.
4. We were very impressed by the healthy food selection at Disneyland. I thought for sure we would be eating junk all day, but low and behold Disney has gone healthy. They had tons of fresh fruit and veggies...such a nice surprise.
5. Sunday night we had dinner with Nate's Uncle Charles and Aunt Marilyn. They took us to dinner to a fun Italian restaurant, which Austin loved...pasta is his FAV. So great to see them both!

Overall we had an excellent time...I'm thinking maybe I'll push for California to be our next move...ha! ;)

More Pictures...

Austin in his little Nike outfit from Nate's uncle Paul. He looks like a little track star, I think. Oh, and Nate's uncle is from Michigan, hence the navy blue and yellow...



The rest are pictures we took before church yesterday morning. For once in our lives we were sitting around waiting for church to start, so we thought we would snap some pictures. One of these days we will figure out how to use the timer and tripod and get a good family picture...hopefully in time for Christmas.

24 Weeks and Counting...

We had some time before church this morning and decided to take a few photos...I'll share the rest with you soon. These are just some pregnancy shots that I wanted for a little book I'm making the baby, I can't believe how fast this is all going. Happy Sunday to you all!

New Widget...

ACK! My baby is already so big!
I just got a new little widget (yep, I copied my sister, thanks Rachel!) of our baby's growing progress. (It's on the left hand side of the page) She looks so big already, no wonder I have been feeling her move so much. This little girl is much more active so far than Austin was, which is quite scary if I sit down and think about it. Maybe she will relax more once she is born? :)
16 more weeks to go!

Oh Target, how I've missed you...

It's been almost a whole year (minus the time I was home this summer) that I have gone without my favorite store. When I first found out I was moving to Alaska, I google searched to see if they had a Target...much to my dismay, there wasn't one in the whole state. Thankfully today not one but two Target stores opened in Alaska. Their grand openings aren't actually until this Sunday, but the one closest to us had their "soft" opening today. I don't know how "soft" of an opening it was b/c I am pretty sure every Alaskan in the area was there today. The whole parking lot was full and they had security directing traffic so people could find spots to park. I guess it is safe to say, I wasn't the only one excited about Target coming to town. So, thanks for coming to town Target, I sure have missed you and I look forward to visiting you often. :)

Austin's little art project...

Austin made this little picture frame in his MOPS class last month. Last month he moved up to the two year old class, and now gets to participate in crafts along with the big kids. I was so proud of him, even though I know he had help, I'm sure its one of those things only a mom would think is cute. :) It now sits next to my kitchen sink so I can see my little A and two of his very cute cousins.

It's a...

We found out early Monday morning that our little baby is a GIRL! We couldn't be more thrilled, and I couldn't be more shocked. I even asked the Ultrasound Tech to check again...she just laughed. I still am just naturally finding myself thinking of boy names. I apparently have no "motherly" instincts when it comes to discerning the gender of my child, as I thought the opposite on both of my pregnancies. I looked at the Chinese Lunar Calendar (which is suppose to predict what gender you are having) and it was correct on both of my pregnancies...hum...a dumb calender is more accurate than me?? :)
So, the journey into pink is beginning. I am now searching the internet for cute baby clothes, nursery ideas, and GIRL names.

Pictures of my little A...

Austin's first trip to the Alaska Zoo...
Austin eating raspberry smoothies...he is loving raspberries these days, which is so nice since we have plenty growing on our raspberry bushes in the back.

Austin looking at the card Great-Grandma D sent him.

More Crafting...

So, my nesting instinct has officially kicked in with this pregnancy. Except for in my case it isn't so much "nesting" as it is "crafting". If I had it my way I would be crafting daily, little A doesn't approve much of "crafting" though, so I am trying to limit myself. :) Really to be honest, A does like to craft, I just don't like the way things go when he is crafting with me. :)
I bought these "fall" letters at Joann's the other day. They had three different sizes (perfect if you want to do a monogram) all made of cardboard, so they were really cheap. I bought the medium sized ones and then spray painted them brown and mod-podged scrapbook paper over them. I love how they turned out...I am already thinking of other ways to use these letters.

Goofin' Around...

Austin loves hats, especially Daddy's hats. We took these pictures at the beginning of August, right after he got his first "military" haircut. He is growing up way to fast for me!

Vinyl Lettering & Fall Decorating...

I bought both of these vinyl phrases last Spring and finally got them up last week. I love them both and am so glad that I bought them. It took me a while to figure out where I wanted them but finally I made the decision and went with it. I really want to get a Bible verse to put in our living room but still haven't decided which one to go with.




The rest of the pictures are of the beginnings of fall decorating. I have never decorated for fall before so I am having such a fun time. My last house was more Spring-y colors and didn't seem to go with the decorations of Fall, but now my house is more Fall tones, and I am takin' advantage. :)

Summer Pictures, Part 2

Grace, Michelle, and I...love you girls!
Grace and I...
Elisa and Austin...(Elisa was watching TV and I could NOT get her to look my way, Austin however still hasn't discovered the joys of relaxing and watching TV :)).
Austin's favorite part of the day...bath time.

Grace and Michelle drove down one weekend to see us, while we were in Oklahoma. It was such a treat, and so great to spend some more "girl time" together. Nate and I are both so thankful for everyone who went out of their way to come see us. It made our trip so much more enjoyable, since we didn't have to drive around to see everyone.
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Thursday I had my 16 week appointment. All is going well so far so we are thankful for that. I scheduled my 20 week ultrasound appointment for September 30th, so hopefully we will be able to find out the gender of our baby by the end of the month!! I am so excited to find out, although I am pretty sure I already know what they are going to tell me. :)
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Thank you all SO much for your comments, prayers, emails, and even a few phone calls on the subject of obedience in church. Almost every comment made me cry (seriously though, I am crying about so much these days) and I so appreciate all of the wisdom and encouragement you guys are. I really can't thank you all enough. Last Sunday went better, but really I think it all comes down to my consistency at home. If you haven't read Shawna's comment on my last post, check it out...she hits it right on. Thanks you all!

Summer Pictures Part 1...

Austin checking out his sippy cup...
Grandpa D and Austin...Ethan asked if this place was a "jungle" but really it was just their backyard. :)
Nate and Austin, throwing rocks into the creek...
Austin watching the 4th of July parade...
Ethan and Si...what can I say...we love that little thumb sucking goggle wearer and his binkie loving brother.

Thanks everyone for your prayers, Austin has now slept several nights straight through. Now if he would only learn to sleep in too. :) Our next order of business is getting Austin to sit through church better. Any advice is welcome! I thought we were doing okay in that department, but last Sunday we had a huge meltdown. Here was the scenario...
Austin and I walk into church together (Nate was gone) and sit down in our pew. He throws a fit, I take him out and spank him. I bring him in, sit him down, he throws another fit. I take him out and spank him. I bring him in, sit him down, etc etc... After about 20 mintues of pure torture and everyone in the church starring at me, I leave. Which I know isn't the right thing to do, but after a month on not sleeping well, neither Austin nor I could take it. I was so humiliated mostly b/c EVERY other child in church sits very quietly. We have asked several other parents in this meeting what they did to teach their child to sit through, and they all just look at us like, "what?". Apparently, not everyone has to do this? Anyways, I left and was very embarrassed because...
1. I know everyone in the church was thinking, why can't she handle her child?
and thinking
2. Why is she having another kid when she can't handle the one she has.
Anyways, I went home and after much more battling Austin sat next to me on the couch while I wept reading my Bible. I haven't been back to church yet, but for the next two Sundays Nate will not be with me. So, I really need your prayers and advice. :)

On to baby news...my pregnancy is going much better now. I ended up having my first appointment when I was 12 weeks along, thanks to my husband's co-worker's wife who works in the clinic. I had an ultrasound and it was so encouraging to see the little baby inside of me. They said my due date is February 18th, which is my grandmother's birthday and Nate's sisters birthday. So, maybe we will add a third birthday to that day! My next appointment is next Thursday so we are looking forward to that as well.

World's Worst Blogger...

I am sure I am probably not the worst blogger, I am sure there are bloggers out there who don't post except on rare occasion (actually I can think of a few right now :)), but I feel so out of the blogging loop these days. It is bad enough that my husband is telling me I need to update my blog. And let me tell you...he is NOT a fan of blogging. :)
I still am reading blogs. I love to keep up with all of you and see what is going on in your lives. I even read quite a few blogs of people I don't even know, for inspiration, encouragement, etc. Ah but once I sit down to write, I can always think of something else more important to do. My "to-do list, before baby #2" is growing rapidly every day. Of first concern is getting my 21 month old to sleep through the night again. Yep, I said it. I am having to re-train him to sleep through the night. How sad is that? Really once upon a time he did sleep through the night, although it seems like a distant memory. It all started when we came home from our trip to Oklahoma/Kansas. He would wake up, scream, wake up, scream, off and on all night long. So, no one was getting much sleep. I thought he was teething...but a month later no more teeth, still waking up. So, since we have had guests much of the month I decided to rock him to sleep each and every time he woke up. And then, you guessed it, he became very dependent on me, so much so, when Nate would try to rock him, he would scream like it was a stranger. So, this week, since everyone is gone he is screaming it out and learning to fall back asleep on him own. And it will work, I know...my son just has a teeny tiny stubborn streak in him. ;)
On to better news...when my parents were up we went to Denali State Park and stayed at the Princess Lodge there. We had a wonderful time...I will try to share pictures soon. I had some pictures ready on my laptop and now I can't get my laptop to turn back on. (Dad please come back and fix it. :)) So, hopefully when Nate gets back I will have some time to share some pictures.
Gotta go, Austi just woke up!

Grace and Brandon's new baby girl Evelyn, was admitted back into the hospital yesterday. She is only a little over a week old and is very very sick. Christina (Grace's sister) and Brandon are both giving updates on their own blogs. Please keep baby Evelyn in your prayers. I know the whole family would covet your prayers as watching your little tiny newborn suffering has got to be incredibly hard.

Lego Wagon

My dad took this picture of Austin when we were home a few weeks ago. He loved that wagon and didn't want to share it with anyone, especially cousin Simon. :) This picture makes me miss his little curls...he had his first "military" haircut when we got home.

Finally, I am sharing our big news...

We are expecting baby #2!

So, I know some of you already know our news, or maybe all of you do, as the word seems to be spreading fast. :) But, I just thought I would get it out there, in case you didn't know. I have been waiting and waiting, wanting to see a doctor first before we told the whole world. But, since we have been out of state so long and I won't be able to see a doctor for three more weeks (grrr), I figured I couldn't wait any longer.

I am about 11 weeks along, I think...I can't find a calendar anywhere, and my brain seems to have left me these days. I am due the middle of February, right in the middle of a heavy Alaskan winter. :)

Thank you all for your prayers, I am so thankful to be almost out of the first yucky trimester. Just a few more weeks to go, and hopefully this nausea will stop. A big thank you to my mom, Rachel, and Nate's mom, who all graciously took care of Austin while I was sick, you guys all went above and beyond what you should have had to do. Love to you all!

Home Again!

For those of you who are wondering...

We made it home safely on Saturday night. It was quite an eventful day of flying, but we finally made it home at about 11pm (2am Central time). None of our luggage made it to Alaska with us, but we were all so exhausted by that time we didn't even care. Austin slept only about 45 minutes of the entire 7 hour flight...I am not sure how he kept staying up, but he did. He's a trooper.

Thank you all for your prayers. I am so sorry I haven't been updating this site, I will try to update soon with more info!