my little {artist}!

Austin's first time finger painting was a big hit! He absolutely LOVED it! We had to do two paintings because he was just in a creative mood today. LOL
He is hilarious.
Photos:

Happy Painting,

A Day Out With Thomas, 2011

Austin and I had such a fun morning together. This little guy loves choo-choos. He also loves to name EVERYTHING that he sees. He is doing so good repeating words that he hears. When we got to the parking lot near the train museum where Thomas was, we had to ride a shuttle bus for about a mile. Austin was so excited about the "boose" (bus). It was pretty cute. A new word for him! He enjoyed the short ride over.
Once we got there, we walked around to the different tents. There was a tent for Thomas and Friends tattoos. Mommy got one thinking Austin would then be okay getting one, but no. He did NOT want one. Oookay- on to the miniature train track. This part of the museum is always there, but they added a "little Thomas" engine. It was pretty neat and Austin didn't want to leave...

Austin and Zack watching the miniature trains go by...

Once I got him to move on, we went to the Imagination tent to play with the wooden trains. That was a big hit with Austin, too. We got our first "scavenger hunt" stamp at this tent.

Next up was the petting zoo. The animals here were so cute! They even had a pony and a donkey. Aww. Austin loved it and tried to pet them all!

After petting all the cute (and smelly) animals, it was almost time to see Thomas. We were looking forward to the train ride. Austin needed a sucker to pass the time in line. ;)

And then the train ride. Yay, Thomas!

After the train ride, we went to Story Time. We decided NOT to wait in the very long line to get a picture with Sir Toppem Hat. We went shopping in the gift shop instead. Austin got a little wooden caboose that said "Day Out with Thomas 2011" as a souvenir.

Our picture with Thomas! (thanks for taking this picture, Kim!!)

I had so much fun with you this day, Austin!! We both had a blast! I absolutely love watching you play and get excited about something that you love. You are such a fun little bubby!! I will cherish these memories always!

Saturday Snapshot

My little bubby in a big boy swing all by himself! He has loved swings from the beginning. This kid is a swinging fool. ;) He still needs me to push him, though, so not too much of a big boy just yet...

Austin is {2}!!!

I say this all the time- and it's TRUE! This is going by too fast! I cannot believe that my little bubby is two! We had his party last weekend while my sister and brother in law (nephew and brother, too) were in town visiting. We had a blast- Austin loved it. We had a splash themed Mickey party. Turkey/Italian party subs, chips, mac salad and fruit skewers were on the menu... I attempted to make the cake myself- my own design- and it turned out great! :) I was SO happy!
Austin did great opening his presents. He was ready to rip into the paper. He finally got his bubble mower! ;) He also got a power wheels 4 wheeler from Grandpa and Grandma Sharp. Yay! He {loves} all of his new toys!
Austin was really shy when we sang "happy birthday"- and he didn't want to blow out his candle... Good thing his cousin Deacon was here to help out. LOL.

Some new things that Austin has started doing lately:
- he tries to mimick everything we do/say! It is hilarious!
- he points out all the animals and cars/trucks/airplanes/trains that he sees out his window while we are in the car! ALL of them!
- he does NOT want to sit in his high chair anymore. Really? Our table only seats 4, so this is a problem. I guess we'll be going table shopping soon.
-he is starting to sing along to songs I sing to him. So cute!
- he LOVES books! Especially ones with trucks, motorcycles, etc. Yup- he's all boy!
- he is talking so much more; it's like the gates finally opened.

Austin's well check is on the 23rd, so I will update all his stats then!
**update: Lil A weighs 26 lbs. (35th percentile) and is 33 1/4 inches tall (20th percentile). He's developing very well! Had to get two shots, so that part wasn't fun, but no nasty reactions. All clear until age 3!

{pictures!!!}

hApPy BiRtHdAy, AUSTIN!!! We love you!!!!

Saturday Snapshot

I have NO idea where he got this from...and yes, his "phone" is a calculator. :)

we have a SHOE thief!

This kid loves to wear shoes and it doesn't matter if they are his or Daddy's (or Mommy's). He loves them all...

<-- a little blurry, my phone can't keep up with his fast moves.

*I didn't realize how many pictures I had of lil A wearing Daddy's shoes until I scrolled through my phone. Ha!

where's your nose???

We play the "where is your..." game with Austin a lot. Where's your belly, where's your eye, head, etc. He is the funniest when he is showing us his belly-- he lifts his shirt all the way up, and when he points to his nose-- or up it...we crack up. He is so smart! And SO funny! I love teaching him new things. He's a quick learner, too. He is loving peek-a-boo and itsy bitsy spider-- he tries to do the fingers with me. He loves being read to and he watches EVERYTHING we do. If I say something and nod my head, he nods his head. ;) He is 17 months now and changing so much- and discovering new things everyday.

We love you so much, Boo.

North Table Mountain hike

Sunny and in the upper 40’s?!? Let’s go for a hike!

Our friends from Golden invited us out for a hike today, so we packed up the kiddos and headed West. The hike was a blast-- I burned more calories by carrying a 24 lb. toddler on my back. ;) We arrived at 10am and we got back to the van at 12:15. Not a bad morning hike. We got to see a really good view of Denver from the mountain and also a pretty nice view of the Coors plant. The boys had a snack while we rested from the trek up. Austin apparently worked up an appetite, too, by riding on my back all the way up.

After some walking around at the top, we started our descent. Peyton was lagging behind a little, then he started catching up as Brendan started slowing down. Geez boys. Lindsey had the boys race down the trail and the winner got to ride in Ken’s {JEEP} to The Spot for lunch. Peyton couldn’t have ran faster! Brendan started off slow and needed an energy boost from Ken. In the end, Peyton and Brendan formed an alliance and got to the jeep at the same time. :) I guess they both wanted to ride in the cool car instead of the minivan… This is what Austin was doing…

We had burgers and beer (two beers for me, none for Kyle) at The Spot in Golden. Good food and great conversation. Peyton and Brendan had fun eating in their own booth right behind us (ordering root beer in a bottle…TWICE.. and daring each other to eat the pickles that came with their burgers).

After lunch, we went to see Ken and Lindsey’s newly purchased home. Very nice house, great backyard. The boys spent some time playing football and throwing snowballs in the yard.

Since the hike kicked our butt, we have been on the couch this evening watching football. Fun times.

just call him {MJ}

Austin & Kyle had fun playing basketball last night. Every time Austin made a basket, he would clap (this also goes for putting a toy away, eating his last bite of food, or anything else we say "good job" about). Kyle blocked a few shots on the shorty, and Austin just laughed. He loves his basketball hoop. During the day, he'll just walk by- grab the ball- and make a shot. That's it; then he's done. ;) He's so funny.


His brothers like to play basketball with him, too. The hoop adjusts, so the boys always make it taller and it makes Austin very upset. He looks at them like, "hello?!? i'm short here! throw me a bone." It is quite entertaining to watch.
I love that the boys get along so well. Peyton and Brendan don't mind hanging out with Austin; playing in his room with him. His room is pretty cool, though. I mean, he's got a lego table and a train set. What more could a boy want? Austin loves it.

I can't believe he is going to be 17 months soon-- on the 19th, to be exact. He is turning in to quite the little man. He got his first molars on top a few weeks ago and the bottom ones are coming in on both sides this week. He's been pretty good with those. A slight fever, but no extra crabbiness going on lately.
We are going on a hike with some friends tomorrow-- it is supposed to be sunny and in the 50's. {Perfection!}
I'm also going to try and get a few projects done that I am working on. Hopefully that will happen. I love crafting, but I NEVER have the time for it. One of my 2011 goals is to MAKE time-- so here's hoping!

I am looking forward to this 3-day weekend. Work 3 days, then get 3 off?? That's my kind of week!

welcome {2011}

So, we say farewell to 2010 and hELLo 2011! It's starting off great-- I have a four day weekend! ;) Peyton & Brendan go back to school on Wednesday, so we have a lot of time to continue our {trouble playing} addiction. That game is crazy insane family fun! We played 4 times last night alone, then moved on to Wii bowling. The Sharps spent New Years Eve on the edge (this is what happens when you have 3 kids!).

2010 was great. Here is a little recap of our year:















Terah came to visit in January and we went skiing for the first time,




















we had to say goodbye to callie- I miss her so much,





























Austin had A LOT of FIRSTS! His first little tooth came in at 6 months, he started crawling at 7 months and walking at 12 months!















We visited family & friends in Texas in July and spent one of the days at Sea World,































I went to visit Terah in September,





















I discovered the {hipstamatic} app (yes, this made the list!),





















Brendan started 2nd grade and Peyton started 4th!















We had a lot of opportunities for family time and fun trips this year.


And now we are all caught up with the Sharps in 2010. It was great; I'm looking forward to what 2011 has in store for us.


I'm not one for resolutions- I do have a few things that I would like to try to start doing in 2011, though...

1. be more organized at home
2. keep up with documenting the boys' milestones
3. make more time for my hobbies (crafting and reading)
4. try not to sweat the little things
5. try to be more frugal-- be mindful that money doesn't grow on
trees <--this is from Kyle! :D

Here's to a great 2011!