Halloween 2010

Halloween was a two day event this year...and will actually be a three day event when we attend an "Afterween" party this coming Saturday. We headed to Boo at the Zoo on Halloween Eve to party with the animals...and the rest of Boise. The Zoo was, in fact, a total zoo that day. But it was fun to see all the kids in their costumes, check out the animals, and give Austin a chance to collect a few treats for mommy and daddy ;-). Austin's Elmo costume was a total hit - parents kept pointing him out to their kids saying, "Look honey, it's Elmo!" I was just glad he kept it on and was actually surprised that he didn't want to take it off. I think he's getting to the age where dress-up becomes entertaining. The grandparents and Uncle Mark tagged along with us. Unfortunately no pick of Uncle Mark - would have been a good one since he was practically dressed as Elmo too with this matching red hoodie (minus the added fur).

Elmo with Mommy. All smiles for the camera these days ~
Elmo with Grandma and Papa ~
Elmo with Daddy ~

Our next adventure was Trunk-or-Treating at our local church. All the young kids trick-or-treat from car to car instead of house to house. It's much easier for the little tikes to maneuver. I used to think they were totally ridiculous...then I had a child. Funny how things change post babies. We met up with a handsome Cars pit crew member and an adorable green dragon.

Candy! Austin was a bit overwhelmed by all the people ~

Jakob, Aaron and Austin dressed for Halloween success~

Elmo with all his loot. He counted out all of his suckers and tootsie rolls, two of his favorites.~

All this fun was smashed between a birthday party for a neighbor girl at Chuck E Cheese and another birthday party for Austin's new friend, Tyler. It was a whirlwind weekend full of friends, fun and candy. Pretty perfect in the eyes of a two year old. Austin woke up on Monday requesting his pumpkin full of candy and another party. Sorry dude, we're on detox for a few days!

Happy Birthday!

Last week we celebrated Brett's birthday. He's caught up to me in age once again...whew! This older woman stuff is kind of rough. Do I seriously have to turn 40 and 50 before my hubby? Perhaps I should just celebrate my 31st again next year.

Austin helped prepare Dad's favorite: chocolate cake with vanilla frosting. I must say, it was freakin' delicious. It had nothing to do with my baking skills; I think Pillsbury may just have a thing or two on Betty Crocker. And please don't drool over the decorating...it's simply raw talent. :-)



I'm glad we had all the families over the night before to eat cake and celebrate because Brett's actual b-day simply sucked (Honestly, he'd have used these words if he were writing). I woke up that morning with the worst sinus pain of my life and Austin decided to be a cranky butt to follow suit. We pretty much holed up in the house all day trying not to kill each other. Sorry babe, we hope you still love us! Better luck on your 32nd...when I'm still 31.

Potty Training

Oh yeah, that's right...I'm in big boy underwear!!!

I told you I'd get back to you on this whole potty training thing. Well, it's been eight days of full on potty time and I think HE'S GOT IT!! The first couple of days were rough. I think Austin was taking pointers from the dog because he kept heading out to the backyard and stripping off his underwear when he had to go...and it wasn't just for #1 either. (Note to self: watch child like a hawk when he heads outside during potty training) Austin has been an easy going kid (lucky me) so I thought this next stage in his life would be simple, but after a few backyard episodes I questioned my little man's desire for the toilet. So I leaned on Elmo for support. I popped in "Elmo's Potty Time" DVD and hung an Elmo potty chart on the bathroom wall and rewarded with stickers for each success. And success we've had! He hasn't had an accident for about 4 days now. I've even taken him to childcare at church and errands around town with no accidents! I'm so proud of my little man and continue to get gitty with each successful trip to the potty. Ah, only the things a mother would love. :-)

Just a little side note. At the end of the Elmo Potty Time DVD Elmo says "this episode of Sesame Street was brought to you by the letter "P" and the number "2". HA, HA, HA! I laugh at the most ridiculous things.

And just a few more things about my ever changing toddler...he's been calling me 'Honey' to get my attention. HA! Guess I've called him that a time or two and he took a liking to it. And aside from potty training this week he also learned to pedal a bike! We've been taking rides around the block. His imagination is starting to grow wild and he's experimenting with make-believe. There's been an alligator living in our master bedroom for a couple weeks now and there's an endless supply of imaginary hamburgers, milkshakes, pizza, and fruit snacks. And lastly, I have a little show-off on my hands. When Austin knows he has an audience of young kids (like the other day at the Verizon store) he likes to start doing semi-handstands, somersaults, and any other toddler like movements to get a reaction. Very cute, especially when you're the mommy!

Summer Fun

I've been so caught up in other things lately that I haven't posted about my wonderful little man. This summer brought about lots of changes and growth. Austin is definitely ALL BOY and loves to run, kick, jump, spit, pick his nose, throw dirt and make roaring sounds...all daily. Unfortunately he's picked up a few bad habits too like biting and hitting other kids when they have a toy he wants. We're working diligently on trying to curb that habit! He already has a thing for girls and seems play nicer with cousin Ava and the little girls across the street. His favorite saying is currently "What happened now?" and will repeat it over and over when something happens but he's not quite sure what. And he also likes "My turn now!" Of course. And like most kids, he seems to have a soft spot for Barney and sings the "I love you, you love me..." song. It's funny though because he can't pronounce "v" and it comes out "b" so the song goes "I lobe you, you lobe me..." He's learning to pedal the new bike I found for him and he loves to be outside. But probably the biggest change is coming up soon...potty training! We just started this week so I'll keep you posted! Here's a synopsis of our summer adventures in Star...

Many, many popsicles. He doesn't eat them alone and insists someone else eats one too! Here he is with cousin Ava.
Pool time at SpurWing Country Club. Perks of the job!


Chillin' on the spiderman couch in his PJs. It's probably like 4:00pm. :-)

Back to the Western Idaho Fair after many years of absence. Hasn't changed at all. I seriously don't know why I get so giddy over the stupid county fair, but I do...every year. Brett tried his first Idaho ice cream potato this year and said it was delish. The animal barns are a must with kids.




Playing in the dirt at a moms/kids only BBQ. Good times!

Hangin' out with the cuz, Jakob, eating popcorn.

Sharing his string cheese with friend, Lily. Surprisingly he loves to share these days...just don't hop on his bike or he'll smack ya! :-)

Bath time at Grandma Nagels on our first trip back to Idaho Falls.

Snuggle time.

Garage Sale Steals

Visiting garage sales has become a bit of a pastime since I had Austin. Toys are so expensive and kids hate them a week later so I love getting great deals on slightly used toys at garage sales. Here's what I scored last weekend at a neighborhood sale near our house. Everything shown totaled a whooping $8.00! Wahoo!

*Hey Miss Joelle, your couponing skills ain't got nuttin on my garage sale skills! :-)

Bike, toy Dyson vaccuum (just like mine), stroller, 2 Barney DVDs, 3 play hats = $8.00!

P.S. Brett game me a hard time about the stroller. I'm perfectly ok with my son playing with girl toys. He loves to do everything mommy does and I just happen to push him in a stoller so...his stuffed animals have already been pushed all over the house! And I figured cousin Ava could play with it when she comes over.

SpongeBob Treat

Don't ask me why, but for some reason I started laughing hysterically when I pulled this stupid SpongeBob popsicle out of its wrapper. It's just so ridiculous it makes me laugh! Fruit punch and cotton candy flavored with gumball eyeballs. Just what a sea-dwelling sponge should taste like I guess!
FYI - I did not purchase this silly treat. They were leftover at the pool at the golf course so Brett brought a few home. I can't imagine why there were would be any left over! The laugh alone is worth the money.

Poor Peaches

This is a picture of a perfect peach sneakily growing in our new backyard. We discovered we had a peach tree a couple weeks ago and I immediately started dreaming about fresh sliced peaches, peach cobbler, peach cordon bleu...
There's just something about fruit and veggies growing in my own backyard makes me all gitty inside. After discovering the peaches we headed off on a trip to West Yellowstone and when we returned we found our perfect, precious peaches scattered all over the ground rotting and infested with bugs. I was so pissed! I should have picked them immediately. I guess they were more ripe than we thought and fell from the weight of their fruit. So long delicious, juicy, FREE peaches :-( Maybe next year.