Acting Silly

Here's a photo from the day... Aaron acting silly outside on the bike.

Learnin' New Things

Today was Abby's first attempt to ride a bicycle. She hasn't quite figured out the pedalling part but I think with a little practice, she will be a quick learner.

Chasin' Chickens

Riley's latest enjoyment is chasin' chickens, actually it's anything to do with chickens. He wakes up in the morning immediately wanting to go outside and see the baby chicks that we just got this weekend. Prior to getting the chicks, he would chase the older chickens around the yard or try to get in to collect the eggs.

At the Austin Zoo, chickens were wandering around the entry and picnic area. Riley decided they needed a little bit of exercise, so he chased them up the hill, down the hill, under the fence (he tried to go under too) and then we finally rescued them from him.

Kiddie Land

On Saturday, we went to Kiddie Land to celebrate Ethan's 5th birthday. Abby and Riley had fun riding the little rides and eating ice cream and cake. The park has been around for many many years and I remember many nights of riding the train and sliding down the Super Slide growing up.

Spring Break Day Trip to Austin

It has been Spring Break this week and we took a day trip to Austin on Friday. We had a great day together. We went to the Austin Zoo, Quacks Bakery, the Round Rock Outlet Mall and to Razzoo's for dinner. All in all, it was a great day.

The Austin Zoo is different from most zoos. It is a rescue zoo for animals that were household pets that ended up abandonned or circus animals that were rescued from inhuman conditions. Blaine took some pictures along the way yesterday. Here is a photo of Bandit, a three legged wolf whose ownders' didn't take care of an injured leg that had to be amputated. There were about eight lions being kept at the zoo, some who were household pets and others from the circus. There were tigers, bears, monkeys, snakes, and many more animals. We rode a little train around the area. The zoo is located very much off the beaten path, towards the hill country area. It was a great day to be outside walking around enjoying the sunshine.

Riley's Race Day Birthday Party

Riley had a Race Track birthday party on Saturday and all the cousins brought their battery powered cars over to our house to play. Even though the day started out cold, wet and windy by afternoon the sun was at least shining and the kids didn't have a problem getting outside and playing in the yard and driveway. It was still cool out but all in all, it was a great birthday party.

The kids had jeeps, an ATV, and escalade to drive around in; they jumped on the trampoline, and painted their faces. Everyone seemed to have a great time together playing.

here are some pictures from the day....

Abby driving Riley around in Lauryn's Barbie jeep...
Blaine and Will watching Riley open his gifts

Mema feeding Paige some chocolate birthday cake

Hannah showing off her face painting

Eryn painting on Lauryn's hand

Jacob after his Dad painted his face

Allison's not so battery powered car... looks a little bit like a Smart car....

Riley opening his gifts

Riley wasn't quite so sure about all the attention during the Happy Birthday song and blowing out the candles. He seemed to get a little bit embarrassed.

Mobile home or efficiency apartment in NY? Steven certainly needs more than 20 square feet to live in....

Call 911...there's been an accident. The escalade driver wasn't watching where he was going because he was too busy trying to change the radio station and he tboned the driver of the jeep. Both drivers were not injured and car damage was no existent so both went on about their way....

Here is the birthday cake.

Happy Birthday, Riley. Hope you had a great day with your cousins.

Thank you to everyone for the gifts - he is having a blast this morning playing with everything.

I'm TWO now!

Riley is now a two year old. That is so hard to believe that time is going by this fast. He has been changing so much the last couple of months. Lots of new words, new questions, and just repeating and learning everything.

He went to the doctor on Thursday morning for his checkup - he weighs 24# 8oz (finally reached the 25% percentile -started at 3%) and his height is 33 1/2" (which is about the 12% percentile - also started at 3%). He had to get two immunization shots, which he acted like was the complete end of the world. Dr. Brewer was very pleased with his growth and development. She was listening to us talk outside the door and so when she started asking questions about him, she stated that she had already heard for herself that he was way ahead on his vocabulary and questions. He is a very fast running, active little guy who loves the outdoors and loves to chase the chickens around the yard. He loves our dogs, especially Holly and Cooper. He walks down the road hugging and patting Cooper on the head.

One of his gifts for his birthday -- his John Deere cap....

Playing in the cars outside of Poppa Rollo's where we had pizza for his birthday dinner.

WE LOVE YOU, RILEY!
Happy 2nd Birthday!