Austin Crawl

Austin Crawl, originally uploaded by ersphotography.

In the last couple of weeks Austin has decided that the world is more exciting if you are moving! Of course with crawling comes the perils of crashing, there have been a few but none that have slowed him down in the long run. On a strange note, he loves to bonk his head repeatedly into reflective objects such as our trash can. All and all he is a good crawler and climber.

On another note, did you notice Zach talking about Baby Miles? No, we're not watching our nephew. A few weeks ago we were supposed to travel to Dallas to visit some friends and Gary, Kim, and Miles. Emily got the stomach flu the night before and we had to cancel the trip. Zach was sad and within a few days, one of his bears became his "Baby Miles." Zach takes good care of him. He feeds him, changes him, puts him down for naps, makes sure he has toys nearby, and occasionally throws him across the room.

Puerto Vallarta: Zachers in the Sunset

I'm so slow getting these Mexico pictures posted... I need to just have a marathon blogging session...

These are from the same gorgeous evening as the last post... but of Zach this time. There are so many of him that I love. It's been really challenging to get any decent pictures of him recently. And while they're not of him smiling at the camera, they are very him. So that makes me happy.

An overload of pictures of Zach in the sunset on the beach:

When we headed downstairs, we didn't intend on him getting wet. I knew, of course, that he would. :) What boy can resist playing in the warm waves?

He was having a great time finding pieces of driftwood and throwing them into the waves. The funny thing was, they kept washing back up and he would throw the same ones in again and again. I wonder if he realized this? He told me it was a "very important job" to do.

Puerto Vallarta: Sweet Miles

Our third evening there I was determined to have us take pictures and play out on the beach in the sunset, even though that was dinner time and then boys' bed time. I'm so glad we did. It was perfect. You know I can never choose only a few photos, so you get lots.

My nephew Miles is scrumptious and sweet and adorable. (See for yourself!) I just can't get enough of him. I have never seen a baby so happy in the water. Kim stripped him down and let him have at it. He ate sand, charged the waves fearlessly, splashed like crazy, and was a little sand monster. He was in heaven.

Just a naked baby headed for the "jungle."

A gorgeous evening. Together on the beach in the sunset.

Miles would seriously charge the waves. They would crash around him and he loved it.

Kim and Miles.

I wish I had pictures of later this evening. Zach and Cal had built a huge sandcastle earlier in the day. Zach and Miles would climb on top of it and jump or slide off. It was maybe a foot and a half tall (?) and Miles would dive off head first, face into the sand. He wasn't phased at all and went back for more. I love that silly baby!

Puerto Vallarta: Part 1

The first week of October we got to go to Puerto Vallarta. We went with my parents and met my sister in-law Kim and nephew Miles there (Gary had to stay home and work, sadly). We stayed at a resort we have been to a few times before, and it was wonderful. I'm convinced that a resort is the way to go with little kids. You can run up to the room for their nap, or whatever, and not have to pack everything up and drive... You're right on the beach, multiple great pools, good food...

Here is the view from the huge deck off our room. Not bad, huh?

Zach loved jumping in the waves and playing in the sand.

Austin's first time in the ocean. (with my Mom)


He liked it alright, but I think it was a bit overwhelming to him at first. But happy to be held by Nana.


Cal and the boys.

The second night we enjoyed a beautiful sunset from our deck. I decided this summer that I miss sunsets. We were always getting the kids to bed at the most beautiful time of day. When we were there I nursed Austin out on the deck before bed and got to soak up the sunsets and listen to the waves crashing on the beach. So nice. Of course now, at home the sun sets at 5pm, so we don't miss anything. (Ugh).


Many more pictures to follow...

Pumpkins

The obligatory pumpkin patch post.

This year we headed to the same farm we always have to get our pumpkins. We planned on going to another just for fun sometime, but it just never happened. But it was a beautiful evening and fun as always.

Kinda like Where's Waldo? Can you find Zach?

Everyone knows serious things are done with your tongue out.

Right?

Good boys. These two adore each other.

Austin was not about to look at the camera. He was fascinated with the pumpkins.

Of course, Zach was happy to do some jumping.

And sliding.

And more jumping.

Cal and I were both surprised he jumped off the hay bales. They were pretty tall, but he was unafraid and unphased.

Bad picture, but I included it because it is so typical. Austin thinks Zach is SO funny and cool.

We didn't get around to carving the pumpkins until Halloween. Zach was excited, but then didn't really want to do much. He thougtht the pumpkin guts were gross. For some reason.

Can you guess who carved which pumpkin? (or dictated)

Rrrrraaah- BOO!

That is the sound Zach makes for he and Austin in their Halloween costumes. Such a nice big brother to help out Oz..

My mom got the boys Halloween pjs this year and Zach was happy with being a skeleton, so it was great! Actually, at one point he decided he wanted to be a doctor, too. A skeleton doctor (orthopedics?), but I wasn't on top of finding him a little lab coat, so he was just a skeleton. Austin had tiger pjs and a frog bunting that we had around for Zach, but it never fit him when it was cold enough to use it. And a frog costume is perfect because Austin is our bouncy boy. When you hold him on your lap, he just jumps and jumps. Funny boy.

Trick or Treating!