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/

Additions to the Stuffy Family

Over the past couple months, we've had a few additions to Carson's crib crew. For my original post introducing you to these guys, go here.

I'd like to introduce......

RAF:  Miles' giraffe. A friend of the Lion. Also... eh hem... "adopted" [stolen]. Carson isn't super attached to Raf, but he has become part of the crew.

ROO:  Roo is a Beanie Boo Kangaroo we got from a McDonalds happy meal. Yes. You read that right. A happy meal. Roo has become a favorite and is requested to participate in a lot of activities. Sleep time (a must), rides in the car, play time, outside time (he's not allowed, but sneaks out sometimes) and galivants all over the house. He's tiny and is great at hiding places making it quite difficult to keep track of him. Stephen and I find ourselves looking for Roo and his friend Glitzy (Miles' reindeer from that same happy meal) at bedtime A LOT.

BOO #2:  Carson found Boo #1 a friend and appropriately named him Boo too. Dynamic duo those two.

BEAR TRIO (yet to be officially named):  Like the monkeys, these pandas are a family and stick together. Carson sees one on it's own and promptly finds the others to unite them.

RAWR:  Similar to Roo, Rawr has become a fav. He's bigger and super soft and snuggly. Carson likes to lay on him at night. But don't worry. Rawr is a strong dino and can withstand a lot of squishing. Rawr also helps Carson brush his teeth at night. "Rawr's teeth first! Brush brush brush. Now Carson's turn!"

 

With these new friends and the addition of a blanket in Carson's bed, it's gotten a bit crowded. Well.. we say "crowded". I think Carson's says "comfy" :)

Say CHEESE

The school does the normal yearly photos with all the kids. Usually, they're fun to just look at. Not to actually buy because let's be honest - these photos are incredibly over priced. 

But.... this year.... I couldn't resist. I think you'll agree it's a solid purchase.

My Favs:

The school director, Leigh Anne, said both of them did awesome and were all giggles. Usually they only take two of each - 2 group and 2 individual per kid. But, Leigh Anne said everyone was just laughing because they were so goofy and we ended up getting a couple extras. WIN