Andrew's Graduation Weekend

We made a quick 24 hour trip to Austin this past weekend for my brother's graduation from UT. First road trip as a family of 5, and it went as good as can be expected! We made it down there in time for dinner with family on Friday night and a little visiting afterwords. Then, all 5 of us slept well in a hotel room, were up and out the door on time for an early graduation ceremony, made it through a long brunch with lots of friends and family, then made it home the same day with no major issues! Everyone was very tired and glad to be home on Saturday night! Here are some pictures from our weekend.

Sweet girl holding the paci in for Cole so he could go to sleep.

 Snuggling in the hotel room

 Smiles for big brother!

Passed out again! It was all of about 6:45am. Rough life!

 Dressed and ready! So handsome!

Another handsome one.... On the shuttle bus headed downtown.

 Ella and uncle Matt on the bus

 Cole and his great grandma

 Hanging out

 Playing outside a bit before heading into the graduation.

 Lots of snacks to keep them occupied!

 There goes uncle Andrew!

One of UTs newest civil engineering grads and his proud parents.

 This little guy mostly slept through the graduation but was bright eyed again on the bus to brunch.

 So happy!

 And sleeping again.

 That little guy did awesome all day, just eating and sleeping wherever we were. He's a trooper!

 Ella and Monroe, my cousins daughter. They're 5 days apart in age.

 Pretty girls!

 We headed home about 3:30 and it didn't take long for everyone in the car to be out! Even I took a 15 min power nap!

Haha!

Great quick trip spent with family. Awesome job Andrew, we're very proud of you!!

Fall Family Photos

We had some photos scheduled with a sweet and talented photog friend of mine a few weeks ago, but I was so sad when the weather turned ridiculously cold and Ella came down with a pretty bad sinus infection and we had to cancel. Since we weren't able to reschedule, the next best thing was to attempt to get some while at Eric's parents' for Thanksgiving. So, the attempt was made, and it turned out just fine. It was a lot more work than just hiring a photographer though, I will say that! Ashley, next time!!!

Here is our family, Fall 2014. :)

Carter, age 5 1/2

Ella, age 3

 

Cole, 2 months

Couldn't love these three any more!!

And my big kids. :)

Big Helpers

Being a parent the 3rd time around is a lot different because you have 2 extra sets of hands in your older two kiddos. Often times one of them will run and put a paci back in Cole's mouth or get something for me while I've got the baby in my hands. On Saturday night, Cole was ready for his evening bottle right about the time that I was changing laundry and cleaning in the kitchen, and Eric was fixing our Christmas lights out front. Instead of stopping to feed him myself, I decided to heat the bottle and let Carter do it. He was excited to do it by himself, and so proud!

(no clue why I decided to flip my phone mid-way, sorry!)

(listen carefully! Boys and their gas)

 Feeding baby brother is serious work and requires full concentration! :)

He took half the bottle from Carter perfectly, and since Eric was back inside, he took over to burp him. Ella, of course, wanted her turn, so she got to give him the second half, with the help of Daddy.

Love that proud smile!

And of course, my laundry and cleaning didn't get done right away because I was taking pictures! But that's okay.... it was a proud Mommy moment for me, and I wouldn't have wanted to miss it! Next time I know I can let him do it and the laundry and cleaning will get done. :)