Zoo and More Birthday

Austin had his first trip to the zoo on June 16.  Here is Austin and Sam checking out the camel.  Austin is one year shy of being about to ride one.  He enjoyed seeing all the animals, but I think his favorite were the monkeys (no surprise) and the giraffes (only because they got soooo close).

Sam and Austin perched here to view the giraffes and then some zookeepers came over to put a branch (small tree) in the pen.  The entry gate is just below the boys.  The giraffes were excited about the food and came really close to us.

Then Austin took a nap and woke up to find a new playhouse in the backyard.  Sam and I built it during his nap time.  Each of its four sides have different themes.  It's pretty neat.

Fiona likes it too.

On June 19, Austin had ANOTHER birthday party with our friends/family here in Little Rock.  Here is his birthday cupcake cake.  He also had a personal cake that he could get into.

Of course, there was no highchair, so he sat on my lap.

All tuckered out and messy.

Another trip to Crystal Beach

Well, we had family come from North Carolina to visit at Crystal Beach, so Austin and I made the trek down for the weekend.  We also celebrated his birthday early down there.  It was a good trip and the boy got spoiled rotten.  Now it's back to the real world.  Although he's pretty much gotten whatever he wanted today.

Here is Austin and his birthday cake!

Here is the big boy facing forward in his car seat.

Busy Busy Busy

Well, life and Austin have kept us pretty busy lately.  To start off, we are remodeling our kitchen.  That has been an adventure and it is still a work in progress.  On May 23rd, we went to the Greek Food Festival that is held here every year.  Austin tried out some lamb gyro.

Sam also taught Austin how to kick things around (before he could actually walk).  It's pretty cute.

I've been trying to get Austin to wear shoes more.  He doesn't seem to mind them much.

For Memorial Day, we went down to Crystal Beach.  Austin had a blast with Granny, PawPaw and Uncle T and his friends (Chris, Valerie, Jason & Lindsay).  One of these pictures was taken while I wasn't around.  Can you guess which one?

We went today to get Austin's first haircut!  His hair was getting out-of-control.  Here he is before.

We went to Pigtails and Crewcuts in Little Rock.  He got to sit in the airplane.

He also got his first lollipop!  He had to have some animal crackers there too.  All in all, he was a good boy and enjoyed his time in the chair.

And here is the new man!  He doesn't look like a little baby anymore!

Here's his card that he got from the salon.

And here he is after we got home.

Now he's just 11 days from turning the big O-N-E!

Finally Got a Minute

Well, things have been pretty busy around here since Sam got home.  I am trying to finish this semester of school and I've started my photography class.  Sam is trying to get back into the groove of things and get his semi-annual qualifications completed so we can travel this summer.  Austin is busy being a silly little boy and growing teeth.  He has THREE now!

We tried to do the March of Dimes on April 24th.  It was rained out and we spent an hour and a half under the tent waiting for a break in the storm so we could get back to the car.  Our team raised the most $$ of any family team in Arkansas EVER!  I am so proud.

Here are a couple of pictures of Austin just being cute.

Oh and Granny spoiled him with the police car at her house so he had to have a car here too.

Sam is home and Austin Walks!

Sam got home in the middle of the night on the 19th/20th.  You can look back at the previous pictures in January and compare how much Austin grew while Sam was gone.

He also reminded his Dad about how to read.

Yesterday Austin took a few steps on his own.  He also took a few steps "uncoached" this morning when he walked from the coffee table to the couch.  Now whenever he is standing, he tries to walk somewhere.  He's growing up so fast!