Dad's Shadow

Austin is Dave's little helper.  It seems like almost any time Dave is working on something, especially something outside, Austin is right there helping, or trying to learn what it is all about.  I see many, many years of this as he grows and I love it.  Aiden and Landon - so far they aren't quite as interested.  I think it's the work they don't want to do - ha!

A few weeks ago when it was nice, it was time to put away some of the swing set stuff.  Here is Austin helping pull the wagon to the playset.

Swings loaded up - time to haul them back to the shed!!!

Now time to empty the sand box...Austin was really excited to see he got to use the little shovel that looks just like dad's big shovel!   

Such a good little worker!  He was seriously throwing the sand around the yard just like his dad - it was so cute! 

Bye bye sand box - see you in the spring! 



Purple and more b-ball

October 7th - Purple day for Landon at his school. He didn't have any purple, but luckily on a clearance rack I found a Transformer shirt! I was only looking one place to buy purple and luckily it worked out!

By chance, Dave was wearing purple that day, too, so of course I had to take a picture!

And get the twins in for a silly picture!

Landon came home with a few "teeth" from school...here Austin had to try some out!


Aiden just being cute!

That evening we headed out for some more b-ball! Here the boys are learning how to air up a ball!

Aiden getting some air! (love the setting sun!)

Go Landon!

Dad's turn!

Notice Dave catching some air...trying to block shots! He cannot wait to get his own hoop and then share that time with the boys!!!

Aiden's face cracks me up!

So does Austin's face - he just can't believe it!!!

Austin

Aiden - nice form, too!

Brown and Orange

Thursday, 9/22 was a day to celebrate the color brown at Austin and Aiden's school. So, you guessed it - picture time!!!! Aren't they cute?

And super silly!!! :-)

This week was also orange week for Landon. It is Hamilton Heights homecoming today, so orange, being a school color, was a perfect color to celebrate this week! Thursday was his picture day and just happened the shirt I wanted him to wear was orange. We sort-of got a good picture - 2 of 3 smiles is not bad!!! This morning (Friday) I actually went into Landon's class to volunteer and it was a great morning...and he was in charge of bringing in an orange snack...cheez-its and orange juice! :)

Thursday evening the boys played outside for a while with Dad, even though it was chilly and even a little rainy! But they had fun following dad around the yard...running laps in the back, taking turns being in the lead and racing!!

I love them all walking in a line!

And I sat on the deck, bundled up, trying to stay warm! :-)

August 18

See, not very creative with my titles, so we'll go with the date on this one. Just a Thursday at home and it was a day I was working from home, too! We really had a great summer with me being so flexible with my hours and able to work at home. We didn't take any vacations this summer - we mainly worked on potty training - but it was fun to be able to go in and out more with the boys since the little ones are older!

And like most summer afternoons, at rest time Aiden ended up like this....


...sound asleep and so darn cute!


I'd had a pizza kit for a while but kept forgetting cheese for the top - so today was finally the day! The boys were excited to help "decorate" the pizzas.

And eat some cheese (notice Aiden). Good job, boys! They were tasty!

Then time to head outside after dinner! I had found a large squirt gun on sale at Target and brought it home for Dave...I thought as the boys got their squirt guns, he needed one, too! He ran outside and surprised the boys by spraying them - it was cute! They ran miles around the yard that night! (okay, not literally miles, but you get the picture!)

Here is Dave chasing Austin...

Austin was running as fast as he could NOT to get sprayed!!! Go Austin!

Aiden also had his squirt gun and was chasing Landon!

I love how they are all going different directions!

He had to reload...now he's ready! Watch out boys!

Aiden kept saying "I won't spray you, I won't...come here." And of course they could come and Aiden would spray them!

The sprinkler was the "safe zone" - so Dad and Aiden were just waiting for Landon and Austin to run!

Dad and Aiden spraying each other!

Time for Aiden to reload!

These are their mean faces! They don't look too tough to me!

Love this one!

Dave put some of his accessories on Aiden's squirt gun - he was pretty proud, if you can't tell!

Watch out!

Just another Saturday

Saturday, July 2nd. Just another Saturday!

Austin wanted to draw, so I let him sit at the computer desk. Boy - did he think he was big stuff! How cute is that?


Of course, as soon as Austin was done, Aiden was ready for a turn! He was pretty proud, too!!!


It was a hot day - notice that my picture here is a little foggy as my camera adjusts to the heat outside after being in the a/c! We had the pool out again and Dave told the boys that if all 3 of them caught a football, he would get in the pool after dinner! Landon was first...and caught his! Good job, Landon!

Throwing the ball to Austin - he caught his too! Way to go!

Throwing it to Aiden...can he catch it? Yes - Aiden caught his, too! Good job buddy!! Dad has to get in the pool later!

Aiden was pretty happy carrying the football back on the deck!

The boys patiently waiting while dinner is being made!

Yum - a summer cookout!!! Nothing better!

Finally - dinner is over and time to get in the pool! The boys couldn't wait!

Dad made good on the bet and was in the pool the whole time with the boys! Look how happy they all look!

It was hot, so I relaxed with a Skinny Girl - YUM!

Again - please look past the rusty water - yuck! I'm glad the boys don't mind! Anyway - here Dave is trying to show them how to plug their noses and go under water!

He's trying to convince them they can do it, too! So far - no real takers!

Then - it was time to empty the pool! This summer it's gone a little faster because the boys WANT to help empty it!!! Makes it so much easier!!!