Lake LBJ

 I think we'll make this an annual tradition. Gates - Short - Lake - 2021

PERFECT slow-mo. Loving Miles' full out fly with tongue out pose haha

This trip actually fell over Miles' birthday. So, we had a Paw Patrol lake party! Miles was PUMPED.

Car-chee Lingo

Carson is talking up a storm! He's putting sentences together and doing really well at communicating what he needs. Here's a few of my favorites.

"Doe!" (Thank you!)

"Bo" (More)

"Nin" (Again)

When we leave the house he always says bye to things. "Bye bye houz!" "Bye bye Dada Truck" "Bye bye Yaya" and so forth

"EWW EWW!" (Firetruck - like the noise)

"Baby trucks" (Miles called them tiny cars, but they are both referring to our micro machine car collection)

"Ow"  (Water)

"Uck" (Yogurt)

"A ME!" (wait for me!)

"Tra-TOR" (tractor - same as Miles said it)

ALL cars & trucks are called "trucks" regardless of how big or small they are

He can put together 3-4 words into longer sentences and ALWAYS wants two of everything. 

"Two trucks Mama" 

"Two Craw craw (crackers) Mama" 

"Bo ice peez. TWO ice" 

Another funny thing is he accentuates "K" sounds. I'm thinking he was in a stage of intense listening when we were working on the "K" sound with Miles. 

Summertime fun

 A little update on what we've been up to this summer!

The whole crew planned a camping trip for Becky's birthday. Becky got an apple watch so most of us didn't need our phones directly on us at all times. With that - not as many photos. BUT, it was pretty freeing just having fun without being behind our phones. A hot trip, but a fun one nonetheless!

Michael watched Lucy while we were camping. The boys LOVED Loki (his dog)....  and Michael too

About a week later, Stephen went to Indie for a wrapping conference. He was selected to be on a panel as well as participate in a lot of the speed wraps. That's one handsome hubs :)

Unlike Becky, the kids had a ball on the scissor lift haha

Buda's new splash pad!

Miles:  "Car-chee! Come park in the garage!"

Carson decided Dada needed friends to sleep with

Miles:  "Mama! Look at my Robots! FOUR robots!"

Becky has been following this non-profit rescue ranch for quite some time called Safe in Austin. They rescue animals who have been neglected, abandoned, abused or otherwise in need of special care and nurse them back to health. Once they're healthy, they introduce those animals to kids and families who come from similar backgrounds. 

During the freeze, they really struggled. The animals didn't have adequate shelter and while they did their best to care for everyone, it was hard. The community came together and helped as best it could offering tarps, canopies, portable heaters, etc.

Since then, the ranch has been getting more and more notoriety. An anonymous donor sponsored an amazing new barn for shelter for the animals. As one of the grand reveals of this new barn, they hosted Pancakes with the Piggies! Sounded awesome, so we offered a donation and spent a Saturday hanging out with the animals.

The goats were really in-your-face. Literally. In Carson's face. He wasn't as excited about the goats. lol

New barn!

Us moms with the kiddos. A pretty awesome group photo I have to say!

If you are interested in donating or reading more about the ranch: https://www.safeinaustin.org/