Great Aunt Melody Visits!!!!

Last weekend my Aunt Melody, my mom's sister, decided to take a long weekend trip to see us in Texas. We were SO freakin' excited about her visit!! I can't put it into words how hyped up we were for her to come over from Arizona. Within moments, my mom and I were planning her every second (literally!) from landing to take-off! :) Thursday was "greeting and chillin' day", Friday was the Bradshaw's day, Saturday was "sister day", Sunday was Lutz's day (Travis, Christa and Trista) and Monday was IHOP-for-breakfast-before-leaving (whew!) day!

**She's already gone and can't you tell I was excited about her visit!!!**

On Friday, my mom, Aunt Mel and I took Austin to the Play pool. The night before a cold-front came in, so the water was cold and the sky was overcast. I was a little apprehensive about going, in fear the weather would turn sour, but decided that maybe it would just blow over. Well when we got there the water was very cold! I didn't think it would be long before we left since Austin hates cold water (just like his momma). Well my decision was made for me when it started to rain, so that was that and we left. Here are a few pictures of the playpool with Great Aunt Mel:

After leaving, we went home changed, ate lunch then headed to the mall for some.... SHOPPING! Before we started on our quest of random stuff, Austin laid his eyes on the Carousel and began making all sorts of medival noises - so we had to make a pit stop first.

Then after the carousel ride x 2 and picking up some cool awesome gifts, we headed over to Toys R Us where my mom picked up a cute little kitchen for Trista and Austin to play with at her house and Great Aunt Melody bought a perfect gift for Austin ---- his very own Dirt Devil Vaccum!! Keep in mind that I find it rather difficult to vaccum since he treats it like it's his very own ride-on toy and tries to lay in front of it to watch it move. Silly boy, he needed his own. Once we got to my parents house to unload, Scott and I then realized an awesome thing --- that silly little Dirt Devil actually sucks up things!!!!! We were SO excited jumping up and down, whoopin' & hollering about Austin's toy vaccum actually. . . . vaccumming! :) Pathetic, really. . . So after we settled down from the excitement (LOL), we all went to Olive Garden (yum!) and ate entirely too much food.

Unfortunately since I work the weekend plan I didn't get to spend much more time with her as I would have liked, but we did make sure to go to IHOP on Monday before she left back to Arizona. She enjoyed her strawberry-globbed waffles, My mom, Scott and I had normal pancakes and Austin devoured 5 silver-dollar pancakes as well as stealing my bacon!

This spontaneous weekend getaway of hers was awesome! She is the bestest Aunt ever and thus naturally, is the bestest GREAT Aunt ever to Austin & my niece, Trista.

Austin Updates

It's been about a month since I've updated everyone on Austin's development. Here are a few new things:

He now has 16 teeth! So, apparently, we are "done" until he's 2 WHOO HOOO!! Unfortunately that means when he has a sleepless night or is super cranky I can't blame it on the teeth - DARN!

He is getting better and better at coloring. Although we do have a few spots on our walls that Mr. Picasso decorated. Guess it's time I try out thoses Clorox Sponges.

Now says:

-Momma, Dadda, Bye Bye, Hi, Yes, No No No,

Ball, Bible, Thank You, All Done, Dog, Uh Oh! & Nonna

He also knows where his:

Tongue and Belly Button are.

He loves showing you them - of course, when HE wants to :-)

Here are some other random pictures of this past month:

Austin is also becoming quite the soccer player. He will intentionally kick with his left foot. We are still unsure of which hand is going to be dominant but clearly he's going to be a lefty when it comes to soccer.

July Update: Breast Cancer 3Day

Oh I'm SO close!!! To date I have raised $1924.50 which means I have $375.50 left to fundraise. I can't believe how supportive ALL my family & friends have been since I signed up back in Marchto walk 60 miles in 3 days November 6-8th! I'm beyond blown away by everyone's generosity - especially in this tough economy.

THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

However, I have hundreds, YES HUNDREDS, more miles to train before the first day of the Breast Cancer 3Day. To date, I have walked ~ 166 miles and most, if not ALL of that, is pushing Austin in the stroller. I've slowed down as the summer heat is melting us to the core, so I've had to be creative in where AND how we train! My mom and I are now waking up before the sun even thinks about rising so that we can train without getting heatstroke! The heat has also forced me to walk less mileage per day therefore I must walk more frequently so ensure I get the miles I need.

I'll be updating as the offical day arrives but I still need your support! Monetarily and emotionally!! I'm also asking everyone to help support my other teammates: Creekside Cares, and MY MOM who need BIG help in their fundraising!!

Remember, if we don't raise the money, we can't walk. . .

so. . .

YOU supply the checks, WE will do the walkin' :-)

God Bless!!!!

my link: http://www.the3day.org/site/TR/Walk/DallasFtWorthEvent2009?px=2907369&pg=personal&fr_id=1295

My Mom's link: http://www.the3day.org/site/TR/Walk/DallasFtWorthEvent2009?px=3117783&pg=personal&fr_id=1295

Kiddie-Size Pooltime Fun!!!

This summer has been a blast watching Austin interact with water. He has always loved bathtime - even as a newborn - and he even has a daddy that is a swimmer. . . so we knew it was only a matter of time before he grew his own set of fins! :-)

This summer he has: Splashed around in his own kiddie pool, swam in Poppa/Nonna's pool as well as a friends' pool, and most impressive of all, has been dunked underwater at least 6 times (some accidental, some purposeful!). So when I heard of a "playpool" near my parents house, I jumped at the chance to take Austin!! These "playpools", there are 2 in the area, are pools designed for the kids ages 7 years old and younger. There are structures for them to climb on, beach-like entrances, slides, and the deepest part is only 1ft 6 inches. The perfect height for Austin!!

He has blown me away by his excitement the moment he first laid eyes on the pool!!! Normally he gets excited but has that nervous whine -- well NOT HERE!! The moment we walked in and set our stuff down, he took off whoopin' and hollerin'! Here's a video of him:

The first time we came to the playpool he loved to just enter and exit the beach-like area and walk around IN the pool. Today, the 2nd time, he was a little more daring! He'd enter and do things he was afraid to do the first time around. It was amazing to see this improvement. I can't wait to see what is in store for us NEXT time we go!

We will def. be going back to this place and will check out the other one too! I'm so glad to hear there are places like this. It was relatively cheap ($3 for Austin, $3.50 for me) and LOADS of fun! hmmm. . . maybe I should be their spokesperson LOL

July 4th Celebration & Nonna's Birthday!

Since July 4th was on a weekend this year, I would have normally worked. But a co-worker kindly switched days with me so that I could spend this holiday with my family. *Thanks Beth!* It was a nice relaxing day at my parents with family and friends. It also happened to be my mom's __ birthday!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!!!!!!!

Here are some pictures of the cousins together. *Austin: 16 months & Trista: 18 months*

Here are some other pictures that I took of the day - there's lots (17 total)

Overall it was a very HOT but relaxing day out by the pool! I haven't been able to enjoy a weekend holiday in over 1 1/2 years due to working. . . I haven't been to my mom's birthday/July 4th party in 2 years so this was extra special!!

God Bless the U.S.A.!!!!!!!!!!!!!

God Bless The USA
by Lee Greenwood

If tomorrow all the things were gone,

I’d worked for all my life.

And I had to start again,with just my children and my wife.

I’d thank my lucky stars,

to be livin here today.

‘Cause the flag still stands for freedom,

and they can’t take that away.

And I’m proud to be an American,

where at least I know I’m free.

And I wont forget the men who died,

who gave that right to me.

And I gladly stand up,

next to you and defend her still today.

‘Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land,

God bless the USA.

From the lakes of Minnesota,

to the hills of Tennessee.

Across the plains of Texas,

From sea to shining sea.

From Detroit down to Houston,

and New York to L.A.

Well there's pride in every American heart,

and its time we stand and say.

That I’m proud to be an American,

where at least I know I’m free.

And I wont forget the men who died,

who gave that right to me.

And I gladly stand up,

next to you and defend her still today.

‘Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land,

God bless the USA.

And I’m proud to be and American,

where at least I know I’m free.

And I wont forget the men who died,

who gave that right to me.

And I gladly stand up,

next to you and defend her still today.

‘Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land,

God bless the USA

I see a Firetruck!!

The mommy meetup group that I'm apart of has various sorts of playdates for the little ones and mommas to get together during the week. About 2 weeks ago (I know! I am just now posting this!) my Mommy Meetup.com group went to the local firestation for the lil ones to get a tour of and well. . . for the mommas to watch eye-candy! LOL -- but not really

Anyways, the Mansfield Firestation #1 was gracious enough to let 20 lil hulligans tour their living quarters and learn all about their trucks! Some of the kids were old enough to pay attention while others just liked seeing the "Red Firetruck!!!"

Austin loved watching the firetruck but didn't care to be a passenger! He was also so mesmerized by the big box fan. That boy and his fans! LOL