Pool Day!

HOT HOT HOT!! Thats summer in Texas- what better way to spend it then by the pool?
Well, no pool in this neighborhood! Ha! (For those of you who don't know we are renting a house here in Austin for a yr bc we didnt know how long it would take us to sell our house in Frisco, AND bc we have no clue about the Austin area and didn't want to rush into buying somewhere since we are super PICKY!!!)

Well, its been a long hot summer here and a pool would have been great! I was doing some looking around online and found out that Austin Parks and Rec. has tons of pool around the area to go to. Crew and I escaped yesterday and cooled down at this "mini Schillterbaun" as I would say! It was $4 for me, and $2 for Crew- what a deal!! They had 2 huge adult waterslides, 2 kid waterslides, a lazy river, a splash pad (dream come true for an infant!), and water sprayers!! We had so much fun enjoying the sun and playing with other moms and babies! Lets just say, this may be a once a week outing! ha!

Just a glimpse of part of the pool!

Lets just say, today was a big day the Carson house! I have always heard, one day your toddler wakes up and it clicks and they just begin talking.. guess that happened today!!
I was feeding Crew lunch, and walked away from him to get a rag to clean his face and I hear "mama". I mean he has been jabbering for awhile, saying ma-ma, da-da, and ba-ba, but never looked at me and said it- WOW!!! Then, we were playing in the playroom with our "see-n-say" and he points to the dog and says "DOG"- I screamed SOO loud! (there are like 12 animals on this thing- how did he pick out the one dog and say then name?) Lastly, after dinner we were playing some basketball and I hand him the ball to throw, he says "BALL". I think Crew got my talking genes- I can tell already we are going to be a big talker!!

I also put up 2 pics from him last week- he found my stash of paper plates and napkins in the pantry and had a blast! And- he tried to eat with a spoon for the first time. He was a little confused and thought it might be easier just to lick the bowl instead- haha!

Our "See-N-Say" = DOG






"BALL"

Napkins and Paper Plates- too fun!

Trying to use a spoon for the first time- a little confused!

A day in the life of...

A day in the life of a 10 (almost 11) month old!!!

Well, Crew turns 11 months tomorrow. I don't know where the time has gone! I am working on getting everything ready for the big 1st birthday (I will give hints as it gets closer)!

Since we moved to Austin, I have been at home with Crew. It is a big adjustment from working. Let me just say, I think I am MORE busy now being at home all the time than when I worked. Moms never get a break, it's the job that never ends! But, I am truely blessed to be able to watch Crew grow up and experience so many things in his life.

Brett had a company dinner tonight so I knew today would be a long day. We ran a few errands this morning, but spent most of the day just playing at home. I had my camera out so many times today, just snapping away. So, I thought I would share a few pics of the "day in the life of our sweet 10 month old!"

(P.S.- I dont get many opportunities to put Crew in Red Raider gear- so I decided since it was a mom and Crew day at home, we were doing it!)

Ok, so I tried every show on On Demand- and what is the only show that keeps Crew's attention? BARNEY!!!

We always watch a Barney show or 2....

Crew crawled in Bella's cage- never done this before, but he thought it was soo funny!

(Sportin' the new jean diapers)

Crew took a big fall trying to walk and hit the coffee table- no fun!
We could not live without our "Boo-Roo", what a lifesaver!

Playing with the Aggie tricycle

Storytime- our favorite!=)

Reading books in the CREW chair

Playing "Zoo" with all the animals

YEA!!!

Still working on learning the difference btwn baseball, football, and basketball
(Brett is so proud, ha!)

Game of Hoops!

Swingin' at the park

Yummy!

Bella LOVIN' Crew's leftover dinner!

Gettin' ready for bathtime

Bathtime!

Little Giraffe!

All clean and ready for bed!

The Beach!

Well, we decided it would be fun to take Crew to the beach for a day! I forgot what a quick short day trip it was from Houston.. and boy was it fun! We loaded up the car and picked up Uncle Jeff on the way out. Our first stop was Kemah. We ate a seafood lunch at Landry's and watched all the big yachts and sailboats coming by. We then walked around the baordwalk. Let's just say Crew will be begging to go back here in a year or two. There are TONS of rides-trains, carousels, you name it, its here! Such a fun little town.

Next stop- Stewart Beach. (Ok, so I don't think I have been here since High School- but I do think it has calmed down and is a very friendly atmosphere now!) We stuck our umbrella in the sand, layed out the beach mats, layered up on sunscreen and we were ready.

First was the SAND!! Oh my goodness Crew did not know what to do... What is this stuff?? He was digging, putting it on his feet, and non-stop playing! I took him about an hour to realize he could crawl in the sand too, and once he realized that, he was all over the beach!! He did try to eat the sand a few time (hint of advice- sand does not taste too good- he kept trying to spit it out!)

Next was the WATER!! Crew LOVED the water. Everytime a wave hit him he giggled, I mean non-stop laughing!! Oh what fun splashing around! And once he learned he could crawl in the water we were along the whole shoreline just laughing away!

And then the SEAWEED!! He found a piece of seaweed and could not figure out what this stuff was. He was pulling it apart, burying his toes with it.. too funny!!

So, we then showered up and went an ate a wonderful seafood dinner at Guido's on the patio and watched the water. Yummy!! And who could leave Galveston without a trip the old fashioned ice cream shop? (My brother was amazed as I remembered right where the shop was!) As a child, no trip to Galveston was ever complete without a stop at the old fashioned candy shop and a bag of my favorite- candy corn! It was just like I remembered- no Ike damage here! Little white iron chairs, a big soda fountain, walls and walls of bulk candy,and of course ice cream! We each ordered some homemade ice cream and boy was it yummy!!!

I totally forgot how fun Galveston could be and how many things there are to do there! What a wonderful Saturday at the beach! Thanks Uncle Jeff for tagging along- we had a blast! And Crew LOVED his first beach experience. I think its safe to say we can now book a beach vacation!

Packin' for the BEACH!

Lunch in Kemah- Landry's Seafood

Family Pic!

Kemah Boardwalk

Riding on Uncle Jeff!

Sand!!!

Waves? What is this stuff?

Splashin'

I LOVE the beach!

Chillin'

Sand is Funny!

You mean I can crawl on this stuff too?

Seaweed is FUN!!!

Dinner at Guido's (a Galveston original)

Old Fashioned Ice Cream Shop on the Strand!

Family 4th of July!

The 4th of July! What a fantastic time of the year! I just love a day of relaxing fireworks, and family fun! We had a great holiday!! Brett's mom, Aunt Sandy & Uncle David, and Julie came to Austin to visit. Saturday night we went to SoC0 (South Congress) and enjoyed a nice drink and some live music-and of course some Mexican food.... and who could resist a cup of Amy's Ice Cream (an Austin original)! Sunday we went to a winery in the hill country, ate at the Oasis, and then checked into the Hyatt downtown. The Hyatt could not have been a better place to stay! Our room faced right out to the Town Lake and we enjoyed watching all the kyakers paddle down the river! And then, the fireworks were shot off a boat right by us, so we just sat and enjoyed them from our room!

As for Crew, his 1st 4th of July was FABULOUS ! He enjoyed the winery (his second one to visit), all the food, and especially the swimming! He was a little confused with the fireworks.. he was trying to grab them out of the sky, ha! But needless to say after several short naps in the car all weekend he was exhausted! He took a 4 hour nap once we got home yesterday and slept until 10:30 am today! Lets just say, we tuckered the little man out, but what a wonderful 4th of July! God Bless America!

Happy 4th Banner I made

Lunch at our house-
Rachel Ray Spinach and Artichoke Pasta Salad, Broccoli Salad, Fruit Salad, Crescent Rolls, and star- shaped Rice Krispie Treats

Guero's!

Amy's with 6 spoons- CHECK!!

Stonehouse Winery- Spicewood, Texas

View of Lake Travis from the winery

Lunch at the Oasis

View of Lake Travis from the Oasis
Watermelon at the Hyatt

Watermelon is YUMMY!!!



I can see myself? This is COOL!!!
View of the River and downtown out our window- waiting for the fireworks

Lunch on Monday- outside patio at Brew & Cue

Sleepy baby boy after a long weekend!