Take Me Down to the River!

As soon as we rolled up, we hit the river-- it was wonderful, relaxing, cold, sunny! We had so much fun on our Friday float, we did it again Saturday! As we were walking out of our condo, they were setting up a wedding reception dinner for that night... one of the wedding party asked the staff "What else goes on here?" I guess by day 2, we reached "River Rat" status, reeking of sunscreen as we walked by in our swimsuits, a little sunburned, with grins from ear to ear! As we ended our last 4 hour float, a band was playing music on a stage over the river, so we tied onto a tree and sang along to "Use Somebody" by Kings of Leon-- a true river moment!

Tim, Wade, Brent, Todd- river ready:

Leah, Sarah, Holly, Abbey:

The glorious Comal:

Our main reason for going on this float trip was to celebrate Sarah's BIG birthday! We had dinner at a wonderful restaurant called Huisache Grill- the steaks were delicious and the sauces on salads and main dishes were a real treat! A spot we would go back to over and over.

Our Birthday Girl:

Then we headed over to Gruene Hall:

We hit The General Store for souvenirs:

Played games every night, ate junk food, stayed up late...

It was a wonderful get-away, but oh how I ran through that door to hug my Luke. I swear he gained a pound in 3 days! Thanks, friends for a memorable weekend... can't wait until next year!

Luke's First Temper Tantrum

ALuke eating a Mum Mum with a very interrested onlooker:

Luke playing with Daddy's belt:

Dinner time, belt gets taken away and LET THE WATER WORKS BEGIN!!! This child must have LOVED this belt because eating wouldn't stop the crying, walking outside, rocking on the couch-- I don't even think by the end of his rant he even remembered what he was crying about. Oh, my goodness... that sounds like his Aunt Melody!!!

Grout

I can't believe I am going to blog about my grout (and therein show you how dirty my floors are), but it REALLY bothered me that it was starting to look dingy-- I read up on grout cleaner but then decided to try Baking Soda. It worked! I put it on as a thick paste, scrubbed in with a white cloth, walked away to let it sit, came back, then voila! Look!

Weekend Babysitters

Granna and Pops came up to babysit Luke for the weekend while his parents had a weekend get-a-way with friends... he doesn't even look like he missed us!

Thinking hard on this puzzle (l love the look of concentration!)

Luke is really into toys with movement, so Granna brought him this purple toy where animals pop up when you move the buttons. He is still working on this idea, in the meantime, he likes to play Patty Cake with Granna:

Luke practicing his standing with Pops:

Took a walk around the neighborhood and just happened to have the camera on them for a lucky passer-by to snap a picture!

25,000

We made it to 25,000 visitors! Yay!

Thanks for being a part of our lives and thanks for putting up with my "Mommy Blog" as boring as it may sometimes be!

Catching Up

We have been busy at our house... stay tuned! Maybe this sweetness will tide you over :)

9 Months

Luke,

You have filled our lives with so much joy-- we love seeing the world through your eyes as you explore and learn. You touch everything, fear nothing. You remind us what childlike faith is every time you hold your hand out to us- and we willingly jump to pick you up and hold you close. You show us how we ought to come to Jesus- without reservation, with excitement to see Him, understanding He will meet our needs. You give us a fresh view of the world- in all of it's ugliness- and simplify everything we complicate. You are a wonderful gift and we thank God for you.

Love, Momma

9 Months

Luke loves anything that rolls- he pats on the ball and rolls it across the room then chases it. He has also started throwing Allie her ball (the moment Brent has been waiting for!)-- the throw only goes about 2 feet away, but we will take it!

Luke has mastered crawling- we are enjoying this stage before the pulling up starts! We have had a few incidents when he bumped his head pretty good trying. I have signed Luke's first injury report at day care- they use vanilla followed by ice on bumps to keep the bruising minimal

He shakes his head "no" when prompted and does a whole-body bob shaking his head "yes":

We have started more food introductions... Luke loves yogurt and Cheerios... opens his mouth like a little bird-- they just stick to his hands, so he hasn't figured out he can feed himself:

Anytime we are in the living room, Luke crawls over to Allie's water bowl to play. Our first real "no" moment. Exploration has started and we all love to watch what is next!

Brent's favorite moment is probably when he gives Luke Elf Toes (taking off his socks half-way). Luke giggles so loudly when Daddy pulls his socks off and tickles his belly with them!

Helping Daddy Baby Proof:

I don't know if I want to admit this, but Brent got out the camera the other night, and like Pavlov's dog, Luke smiled on cue 4 pictures in a row... are we taking too many pictures?!!!

9 Month stats:
Weight 21 lbs 4 oz
Height 28 1/4
Diaper Size 4
Clothing Size 12 mo

(the mushy 9 month post will come with Luke's real 9 month pictures... I hired Brent- stay tuned!)

Hellllooo Houston

We headed to Houston again-- this time for a wedding shower for our soon-to-be Sister in law, Christy (Chris's bride). We always love getting together for family, fun and food!
We played games--

The Judges ruled a tie, but we were pretty sure Jamie won-- "No contest"!

Some of the wedding party:

Christy cleaned up!

Mexican Food!

More teeth? Surely not!

Luke met Bailey (the biggest dog he has ever seen)! This is right before Bailey licked Luke's entire face... Luke wasn't sure what to think!

Trying yoga poses while playing on his new toy from Grandma and Granddaddy:

Uncle Chris trying hard for a smile out of grumpy Luke (we had a LONG ride down, so Luke was not his peppy self for most of the weekend).

Reading the newspaper with Granddaddy- well, kicking it to hear it crinckle while Granddaddy read:

Luke had a bath in the sink... I think he liked it! (See the coffee cup in the left sink? His little monkey arms got hold of that shortly after this picture):

On a side note, we played a rousing game of clue and Chris and Abbey WON BIG!!! We were the only two of the group not writing novels about what everyone was guessing. It is a rare occasion that I win in this group, so it had to be said!!!

Buggy Rides

Luke had his first ride on the buggy at daycare today! I walked through the door and saw this sweet baby beaming!

B-I-N-G-Oh no.

My witty husband came up with this Bingo card last night to get us through Obama's health care speech.

I got the FIRST kiss!!!

This morning after Luke finished his bottle, I was kissing his cheek- he would pull it away and give it back to let me peck like a little bird... I turned him toward me and kissed his cheek again, then HE KISSED MEEEE!!!! No pucker, but a wide open mouth, slobbery deliberate response to my kisses! After his bottle, everyday, we both choose to start the day-- I think we both knew today would be a good one!