Latest Austin Declaration

After I gave Austin a big hug (while helping him get his shoes on), he said, "Aww, I enjoyed that love."

Make a mommy's heart melt...

Our Little Scientist

Last time we were in Utah, Jeanine and Mom watched Austin while Matt and I went to Snowbird (for a conference he was presenting at -- oh yes, and the free skiing). Austin told Jeanine, "I love you because you look like my mom." Then when they met up with us in Snowbird, Jeanine told me the story. Austin must have been listening because he promptly said, "Mother, let's compare your features" (no ad-libbing there -- that's what he said). So, Jeanine and I sat next to each other. He analyzed our features and in a matter-of-fact manner said that Jeanine's nose was bigger and her head was bigger (she was wearing a hat). We got quite a kick out of my little scientist, his observations, analysis, hypotheses, etc.

A couple more stories about my scientist... While a friend of mine was babysitting Austin, she took him out to see their chickens. He told her that the chickens loved him. When she asked why, he said, "They love me because I'm a scientist and I make good observations." Again, his words not mine.

Also, a couple months ago, his preschool teacher asked him to circle the reptile on the page of animals. He looked at her confused. She kept urging him to circle the reptile and finally pointed at the frog. He looked at her funny and said, "Silly Miss Ellen, that's an amphibian, not a reptile." He is already schooling his teachers (and me, most of the time).

The Governator

Matt just had an event last week for a new opening of one of his company's alternative fuel stations in San Jose that Gov. Schwarzenneger came to speak at. The Gov. even introduced Matt as a speaker. See http://gov.ca.gov/speech/16378/. So much fun.



Austin and I got to meet the Governator too. It was too funny--Austin had been running around the station lot picking up odds and ends to play with (a piece of broken plexi glass, a large bolt, and two large washers) during the speeches. He had those items in his hands when he met the Gov.

When Arnold (because we're now on first name basis ;) ) asked Austin what he had in his hands, Austin said, "Things to make horseshoes with." That stumped the Gov. How do you respond to that. I didn't have time to explain that he had recently seen a blacksmith at work. The Gov. just told Austin to be careful with the shard of plexi glass. Fine parents we are letting our son run around with a weapon. You should have seen his security close in when they saw it. ;)

So, there's a memory for posterity.

Austin Speaks

- On 4/17/10, as he holds a piece of plastic up to his upper lip, "I have a mustache, so I can drive." (Which makes sense, right!? That is the only difference between the bus driver and the school kids with his little yellow school bus toy.)

- In March 2010, our little paleontologist's first joke, "A pie-ceratops -- he likes to eat pies."

Backpacking in El Dorado National Forest (Caple Creek) - May 2009

What a Memorial Day weekend! We were able to steal away for the whole weekend for a 2-night/3-day backpacking adventure with the family. Austin absolutely loved every minute of it. We've got our own little Grizzly Adams with the only grizzly time for his parents being when we tried to get him to bed for the evening--too much to explore! Sleep, who needs sleep? I think we've found a new family favorite spot that we will frequent often. So ridiculously beautiful and relatively easy to get to.

We found the perfect camp spot. What a veiw!
(Our little old man with his pipe)




Man your stations...


Mr. Outdoors has found his element.




Forging the river. Brrrrr...



Green fuzzy stick.


Going it alone...


Yum! Freeze-dried blueberries!


"I eat pieces of dirt for breakfast..."

Our hike to Tennessee Beach - May 2009

After our great trip to Cavallo Point, we took a day to relax at the beach--since relaxing for 3 days at Cavallo Point just wasn't enough. ;) Just a mile or so in, you find this beautiful protected beach. Truly amazing! Austin went crazy exploring the tide pool, small stream, beach, etc. It was all Matt could do to keep up. So cute seeing our little diapered dude streak that beach. Except for the occasional mandatory thawing of the wet little human popsicle by Mom, Austin was a little boy with a mission. I think packing out added a few pounds (rocks, shells, sticks...), until he fell asleep and dropped most of them on the hike out. What a perfect day.



Beach moments.



Tide pool fun with Dad.


Mom warming up the little popsicle.


A plum tuckered little dude.

Anniversary Trip to Cavallo Point - May 09

Yes, we're finally back. I know, it's been a year, but we promise to do better. We'll just start here and maybe try to backdate some prior pics at another time. But, for now, this will have to do.

For our anniversary in May, we had the great fortune of being invited on a fabulous business trip to Cavallo Point Lodge, Sausalito, which was truly incredible. Matt only had to do a little work, and we were able to enjoy 3 days together in this beautiful place. Thank you, Nth Power!!

Austin's "Happy Face" -- well, almost...



Incredible view of the bridge from Cavallo Point Lodge:



Mom & boy at lunch in Sausalito while Dad worked. Austin loved the crab!





Father & son playing in the tall grass:



Fun at the Discovery Museum at Cavallo Point:

Our 3rd Anniversary Trip to Seattle - May 08

Matt surprised me with a trip for our anniversary to Seattle. We stayed in this gorgeous lodge just outside Seattle, crashed a local little league game, went on walks, ate delicious food, and hiked a beautiful waterfall. So fabulous. Would have been quite romantic too had it not been for a pint-sized hurricane of energy who whirled around until midnight or so on our anniversary eve.

Pike Place Market






Our 3rd Anniversary at the Willows Lodge near Seattle.


Eating at the Barking Frog at the Willows Lodge.




Our room at Willow Lodge.


Bridge over the Sammamish River.


The slugger is cashed.


Our little jetsetter.


Snoqualmie Falls just outside Seattle.

April 08 (Austin's 7th Month)

At 6 months, Austin was very busy. April was a big month for him. He got pretty good at sitting up without support, started to crawl (mainly scooting backward when he really wanted to be going forward), started to pull himself up on lower surfaces, but most importantly (for Mom and Dad) started to sleep through the night from around 7p to 7a the next morning!!! Oh what joy and rapture we never knew we would or could experience ever again (until empty nest at least). It took two or three painful nights to wait out his crying, but it was for his best, so we stuck it out. Now, he's a champ, and Mom & Dad aren't zombies anymore. The month started with a Utah trip and ended with a San Diego trip Matt had for work, but mostly for me, it was enjoying my active baby boy and active grown up boy and such dubious tasks as (dun, dun, dun,) taxes. It was also my daddy's birthday this month. Happy Birthday, Dad. We miss you.

Angel boy.




Yummy peas!






Swinging at the local park a couple blocks away.


The blue eyes.


Me with Julie one day before the twins were born. Doesn't she look great!

Trip to Utah in March/April

I love having both sets of families in one state. When we go to Utah we get to see both sides of the family. The Harveys were in town too (Matt's sister's family), so the Horton cousins got together too.

Tummy time with the Tucker cousins


Train 'em young


Playtime with the Harvey cousins




Hugs from cousin Grant on Grandpa Horton's lap