Christmas Prep and the Big Day

I have to say, I have gotten horrible at taking pictures, uploading picture, and updating my blog lately. I can't even blame life because I haven't been much busier than I have. We did all of our normal Christmas prep stuff this year. We got our Christmas tree and went to Zoolights. We usually go on our anniversary, but due to weather and other things, we had to hold off until the week of Christmas. Never again! It was so busy, it wasn't even funny.

Christmas was amazing. It really is the best thing ever when you have a kid. Austin got to spend time with his  cousin Calleigh and Grandma and Grandpa Streit's house on Christmas Eve. We had soup and sandwhiches and opened presents. Austin got some awesome things including a shopping cart, new baby laptop, a few clothes and a really awesome slide "castle" for the backyard. Mom and dad got some cool gifts including a real cool gift, a deep freeze! Now we'll be able to buy more in bulk and hopefully save some money!!

Christmas morning, Mommy and Daddy made sure Santa put everything out the right way. Austin was a little nervous at first and didn't quite understand. Him and Molly really enjoyed the Yule Log on TV though. Austin got a new truck and boat, Little People pirate ship, crayons, and the best was a new table to sit at. He was so cute sitting at the table all morning.

In the afternoon we headed to Ryan's grandmother's house for lunch. It is fun to see all the kids interact with each other. Austin got to play with cousin Emmalee's Leadpad that she got for Christmas. We filled our bellies with good food and snacks. The kids got a few gifts and went on wagon rides.

That night we ended the craziness by going to Grandma and Grandpa Smith's house. There, Austin was showered with even more love. He got a Little People's Farm, Baxter pillow pet, Chuck the Truck, and lego blocks!

All in all it was a great two days or celebration. I sure love having family close by, even though sometimes it can seem stressful. I really loved seeing the joy in Austin's eyes when he got to open gifts.

What was dad doing under here?

Pretty lights

Austin's sword from Zoolights

His good pose with Santa

Streit Christmas Tree

Opening presents

Playing with Calleigh

First time seeing the gifts

Watching the Yule Log

Max's gift was kind of big

Smith Christmas

Family Pictures

Our friend Adam was nice enough to come over and take some pictures for us this past weekend. Adam took our wedding photos as well as some other pictures of Austin. The pictures turned out great and we are very excited to share them with everyone. I'll put a few so you won't know which one to expect on your Christmas card. My favorites are the non-posed ones of Austin and Calleigh.

I am so glad that we live in a place that we can go outside on a beautiful day and take pictures!!!

Tidbits from November

November has been a pretty slow month so far so I am late on blog updates. The first weekend our nephew Aidan had his Meet and Greet. We were able to see a few family friends and what not. Austin enjoyed playing outside with some other kids.


Last weekend we drove up to a camp site that Ryan's dad was at. He is part of a group that gets together every few months to shot mussel loader guns, throw knives, and do some fun things like that. It was nice to get outside and snack on some fun food. It did start to get chilly, we left right as the fire was started.

So we pretty much all the busy stuff starts happening this weekend. With only a week until Thanksgiving and then a month to Christmas, things are going to go real fast. Here are some fun pictures from this month!

View from the campsite

Oh silly boy (PS He was in jammies and it was noon when I took this picture)

Austin and Grandma Barb

Holding Adian

The boys enjoying the outdoors

Austin in a dog bowl? Why not?

Halloween 2011

Hard to believe Halloween has passed us once again! I really love this time of year. Not only does it represent a change in the seasons, but also the fun holidays. We were excited to do all the holiday stuff with our growing boy this year. Austin dressed up as a knight and I must say he was the cutest knight I have ever seen. He even had the chance to go trick or treating for the first time. We stopped by both Grandparent's homes and then headed back to our house. Austin's pumpkin this year was Lightning McQueen from Cars. We are hoping to get some better pictures today because it was dark yesterday when we got home.

Pictures with the Pumpkins

Austin got to head to the farm today! We went to Vertuiccio's Farm out in Mesa for their Fall Festival type deal. It was okay, just super hot. That is right...HOT. Who would have thought that this late into OCTOBER we would still have 90 degree weather? We tried to get out in the morning, but even as we were driving away our car said it was about 85 degrees out. We went with Grandma Barb, Andy, Cassandra, Calleigh, Aidan and Grandma Cathy. Austin had a great time trying to climb through the pumpkins. It is amazing to compare pumpkin pictures from last year to this year. He was also very interested in walking a lot. Good fod him!