How do you dress for a movie??

How would you answer the above question?? For myself, I would probably go with either shorts or jeans, with a comfy top. Austin, on the other hand, has a different idea of how to dress. Today, Mike took the boys to go see the free movie (star wars), after the movie I saw that he was dressed like this.He is very proud of this "handsome coat" (a.k.a. a suit coat). I found this handsome coat at the thrift store for $3. Austin loves to wear ties (I have to smile when I see how he put it on his shirt-seems to be a bit low).

The other day, Austin was talking about wearing his "handsome coat" and he said, "then you can take your handsomeness off...." For some reason, I tend to laugh whenever I think of him saying that.

Austin, you know how to dress for any occasion!

Austin's 8th birthday!

Austin's birthday was in June. I did not start blogging until July, so I missed his big day by just a week or so. So, I decided to do a belated post in honor of Austin.

Austin wanted a ventriloquist dummy for his birthday. The dummy he got was named Willie. On the birthday cake it says, "Happy Birthday Willie." Austin chose to have pancakes and chipped beef gravy for supper (I think we also had some fruit, but can't remember). Austin got to use his special plate and mug.

The birthday cake.

Austin is 8!

Now, I am going to walk down memory lane with Austin.

I think Austin is about 1 1/2 days old here.

This is the first time I got to hold Austin, expect for right after he was born.

Austin at about 6 months.

He was a very plump boy!

Austin, 1 year.
I love those chunky legs!

Austin, 2 years.

Austin, 3 years.

Austin, 4 years.
Mike took this picture, I love it!

Austin, 5 years.

Austin, 6 years.
Kindergarten picture.

Austin, 7 years.

1st grade picture.

It has been an amazing journey to see Austin grow up to the boy that he is today.

Austin was in the hospital for 2 weeks after he was born. We are still not sure what was wrong with him. At one point, one Dr. said he would send Austin home. Another Dr. said "no." That night Austin stopped breathing. God was watching over him!!

The first year was very hard for us. Austin was not a content baby. I remember many nights walking with you and crying with you, but we got through that!!

Austin is now a very happy child. When he is interested in something, everyone who talks to him knows what his interest is. I have learned so much from him. When he was into dinosaurs, I learned about dinosaurs. When he was into bones, I learned about bones. (Together we learned the bones of the upper body!) Austin is now into ventriloquism. So, I have in the process been learning about ventriloquism.

Some things that I love about Austin and want to remember.

~You have a wonderful heart. You often worry about other people (a lot of times it is Adam)

~You love to know how things work.

~Often when you try new foods, you will say, "Hmmm,....that is good" followed by, "Mommy, you should be a chef!"

~You still love to snuggle with me in the mornings. What a great way to start the day!

~You will often tell me that you think I am pretty.

~You love to take the trash out! I'm sure this won't last forever!

~Right now, you are excited that you get to be the big brother in school next year. (You will get to walk Adam to his room.)

Austin, you are a fun, energetic, loving child. We love you!

Adam is 6!

Adam had his 6th birthday on Saturday. We were finally able to celebrate on Monday evening. A special thing I have started doing, is that the boys can decorate their own cakes on their birthdays. Adam tends to be a bit of a perfectionist, so He just told me how to decorate it, an he scattered the sprinkles on top.

I think it looks pretty good!

The birthday boy also gets to choose what is for dinner. Adam chose chicken nuggets, macaroni and cheese, and grapes.

This is also an occasion where they get to use the "special plate and mug". These dishes are rarely used, they are only used for special times (hence the name). Such as: birthdays, good report cards, a good note from the teacher, anything that I deem worthy.

Since I have just started blogging, I thought I might take a walk down memory lane at Adam's 6 years.

We are still in the hospital here, so Adam can only be 1-2 days old.


Adam at about 6 months.
Look at those beautiful brown eyes!

Adam at 1 year.

Adam at 2 years.

Adam at 3 years.

Mike told him to smile big. :)

Adam at 4 years.

I love this picture!

Adam at 5 years.

Since this is all about Adam, here are a few things I want to remember and love about him:

~He loves to talk about 3-D, things that transform, and camouflage.

~I love that he says "ungot" instead of "forgot"--really it makes more sense, either you've got it or you've ungot it! :)

~When we went to Erie, we saw warthogs at the zoo. Adam declared July 25th Warthog Day!

~It tickles me when I ask him to do something and he says"Mommy, I'm just a little boy you know." Yes, honey, I know you are a little boy. You cannot use that excuse forever!

~You will do anything to prevent germs being on you. This pertains not only to you, but anyone you know that is with you. If you know someone is going to the bathroom you will yell after them, "Don't forget to wash you hands!" When we were coming home from Erie this weekend, we stopped to eat (at one of those places along the turnpike). When you heard I was going to the bathroom, you yelled across the lobby to wash my hands (as if I wouldn't!!) I did have to wonder what the other people thought! :)

~I laugh that you have already found a bride. You love Lucy from preschool 2 years ago. You do not want Mommy to kiss you until Lucy does. Little do you know I sneak in your room at night and give you good night kisses. (If we do give you a kiss, you lick your hand to wash it off...I am not sure how that fits in with the germs...)

~When given a choice you answer is often, "both" (that is the reason the cake is both chocolate and vanilla). When asked a question as to what you want, your answer is, "anything you want." This doesn't really help me out!

~It tickles me how you can start telling a story, which turns into a narration-that goes on and on and on. One Sunday Carol and I took our boys for a hike. Adam started talking, we thought it would be a short story, but it turned into "You go around this rock, jump over this root, go straight...."

Adam, you are a funny little boy, you certainly keep things interesting! We love you!

Our Weekend

This past weekend, we went to Erie, Pa, to visit Mike's brother (Chris) and his family.

On Thursday, Austin and Seth went with Chris to a baseball game. They went to see the Erie Sea wolves. We had never heard of this team before the visit, but it is now Austin's favorite team! I thought this was maybe just a local team, but Chris explained that this team is one step below professional.

Chris said that Austin was showing off his dance moves at the game, he even did the YMCA!!

He found this at the house, after the game.

GO SEA WOLVES!!

One of the main reasons we went, was so that Mike could help Chris build a tree house. As they were working, the boys each found a piece of wood and were contently working on .... something. Anyhow, they were busy.

When I took this picture, I could hear the boys talking. Their conversation was interesting to me, they were discussing who to marry, and something about kissing the girl. (I think all this can wait a good number of years!!)

Mike and Chris working on the tree house.

Adam giving his input on how it should be done.

On Friday, Cheri and I took the boys to a bouncy place. They had miniature golf, air hockey, slides, and an obstacle course. The boys had so much fun!!

Adam playing golf.


Austin playing basketball.

That face shows a good time!

On Saturday, we went to Chuck E. Cheese. For the boys birthdays.

Then to the zoo.

They are looking at the turtles.

Aunt Cheri made Adam a birthday cake.

Sunday, we went to church to see Uncle Chris play on worship team

Then we started home. We had some tired boys!

It was a fun filled weekend!

Mud Dummy

If you read my blog, or you know my boys, you already know that Austin is obsessed with dummies. You will, also, know that my boys love to play in dirt.

Recently, Austin has been talking about how mud is like clay. Well, sort of, but not really.

One day, he was out side for a long time. I called him in, and he explained that he needed to move his dummies head under shelter, in case it rained. I was a bit confused, so I went to check it out. He had certainly made a dummy head. So, we moved it onto a board, then carried it to the carport. The next morning, he was looking for floss. I asked,"why?" He told me he needed to remove the head from the board. I still don't know how he know that is similar to what potters do! The head dried a good amount to be handled, so I was able to get some pictures.

Austin with his dummy head. It even has a "jointed" mouth.

He also made a hand.

Austin with his creations.

I think I need to go to the craft store and get him some real clay!

The dirt was calling!

Yesterday, we were at my parents. My parents neighbor said they were getting a fresh load of dirt. They are going to level off their yard. As anyone with little boys knows, or at least for my little boys, dirt can call them!! It did not take too long for them to strip out of their shirts and roll in the dirt! I told my mom I did not care! My theory has always been that little boys are washable! The boys were not begging to play a computer game or watch TV. They were outside in the dirt!!

Austin before being sprayed off.

Adam did not get as dirty. But, he found a nice Roley Poley bug!

I sprayed the boys off, then told them to take off their outer shorts, so I could spray them better later. Dad asked if that was the pre-wash. I said, "No, this is actually the pre-pre-wash." I sprayed the clothes, soaked the clothes, then Mom went and sprayed the clothes some more.

Adam and Austin in their pre-wash.

Once in the tub, they needed to be pre-washed, as well. I rinsed them with their underwear on, then they got the real bath. I have to say, I have never seen dirt packed in ear creases, Austin even had dirt in his nose!! I guess that is a sign of having a good time.

Birthday Party

My boys birthdays are only 5 weeks apart. Generally, what I will do, is have a party that is between the 2 dates. So, this year when asked, "What do you want for your party. Who to invite?? and what food do you want??" They responded, "We want Eamon and Shannon (and, of course, their parents) and Matt and Lana." (Of course, Mamaw and Papaw were a given to be there!) So, then we talked about food. They asked for hamburgers and hot dogs (Papaw graciously did them on the grill for us!) Macaroni and cheese, grapes, cucumbers and brownies. (I added a summer squash casserole, because I like it. Mom had green beans, so we added them as well.) It was a very easy meal, and so good!

Austin and his brownie.

Adam had ice cream with his, and chocolate syrup.

After we ate, we went to an antique care and tractor parade. Is there any better way to end a birthday party??

Mike and Adam, waiting for the parade to start

From Left to right: Eamon, Shannon and Austin (Carol is in the background).
Waiting for the parade to start.




We saw old Milk trucks.


I have never seen a milk truck with flames on it!

This one was names "General Lee" (from the Dukes of Hazard).

An old School bus. My dad tells me that my Aunt and Uncle used to ride a bus like this to school.

I'm not sure what to call this one. It looks like a train on wheels, with a steam engine. We are guessing that it may be a very early tractor.

An old style bike.

Adam waving.

Adam learned early in the parade that if you wave to the people who threw candy, they were more likely to throw towards you. He waved, and waved and waved and........waved some more.

Austin playing with his prizes.

Towards the end of parade, I said, "Funny how all tractors seem to look alike after awhile." Then I looked at Austin, he apparently had the same thought. He took the army men that were thrown as treats, and some candy, and started to play army. (I think the candy was what framed the forts.) It was a great end to day!