How sweet is this?

Brady and I babysat for Emma, Ally, and Sammy Saturday night so my sister and brother-in-law could have a much needed date night. We had a lot of fun. The little ones love Rachel, Mason, and Brady and they fight over who Sammy loves the most - I think it's pretty even most of the time. But Rachel and Mason were spending time with their mom this week, so Brady and I were on our own.



Sammy loves Brady and Brady has become such a big help when babysitting and really wanted to put Sammy to bed that night, which Sammy loved. He carried him up to his room and read him 2 books (the evening ritual) before laying him down.

I had to take this picture because seeing Brady read to him melted my heart.

Road Trip - Day 4

Another day in Arizona Paradise! We headed to the pool first thing this morning for a little reading and relaxation.

Then, everyone told us that we had to eat at an In and Out while we were here, so that's where we headed for lunch. It was good, crazy busy there. Lacie and Rhonda thought they needed hats. Nice ladies! It really is too bad that I wasn't able to join you in the picture, someone has to take the photo though...

After lunch, I went to IKEA! Holy Cow - I am in love... that place is awesome! We don't have one in Denver yet, but I have been told that we are getting one in 2011 - just in time for Rachel to need stuff for college. I had waaayyy to much fun there and I might have to go back for a few more fun things tomorrow, for Brian's parents of course. That place makes Sam's Club or Costco look the size of a convenience store. My feet actually hurt at the end of the trip and we didn't even look at everything. I am thinking it was a good thing we ended up driving here instead of flying, we will need a way to get all of this home.

A little photo-op with my Gramps, I'm not sure where he is looking.

Off to dinner at The Tilted Kilt. Very fun place - the girls where some interesting outfits - it's like a Hooters Irish style. I ordered a drink (or two) called the Purple Haze... ummm' I know why they call it that - I felt a little hazed afterwards.

Road Trip - Day 3

Today was supposed to be our pool day, it ended up being very cloudy all day, however that didn't stop us from hanging out at the pool and have a good time. We went to breakfast, did a little gambling (there is a casino in our hotel, not a good idea) (I'm being good honey I promise) (ohhhh, we are going to IKEA tomorrow so that may change). Brian had to work and go to school all day so us girls had to find our own things to do. Here is proof that I was at the pool. No swimming suit shots for me.

When Brian got off of work we took him to Benihana's, one of his favorite places. We had yummy dinner and celebrated more of Birthday weekend. We had a few cocktails, Rhonda tried sushi rolls and we found out quickly that sushi is not her thing, nor was the onion soup, or the ginger salad dressing, however she loved the rice, veggie's and meat - so not a big fan until the main course.

Road Trip - Day 2

Well we made it to the Arizona Birthday Boy today. I swear it seemed like forever before we would get here... we had a lot of laughs again today,

found some dinasaurs,

went through the petrified forest,

saw snow (in Arizona, who knew?)

and finally ended up in Chandler, AZ where it was 84 degrees and finally got to surpise the Birthday Boy with our arrival and then surprised him with our Grandpa, who met us for dinner at The Keg. Brian's girlfriend, Lacie also flew in for his Birthday - she planned all of this. We had a great meal and shared Birthday cake (more of my cake skills at work).

Looking forward to spending more time with Brian and Lacie - can't wait to hang out at the pool tomorrow and do some relaxing until Brian gets out of class.

Road Trip - Day 1

Well today started our road trip to Chandler, AZ to visit my cousin Brian and surprise him for his 24th Birthday. My Aunt and I are headed there as we speak leaving Brian home with the kids (thank you honey, don't worry I'll be home soon, yes Brady has practice 3 times a week + a game, yes Rachel has a college visit day, yes they are hungry all of the time).

We got a little bit of a late start this morning but made really good time and are currently in Albuquerque, NM for the night. We will get started bright and early tomorrow, okay, maybe not bright and early, more like 9:0o ish after we have a little breakfast and find a Starbucks - I mean we can't get there too early we can't even check into our hotel until 3:00 - why rush? Our day was filled with much needed laughter and entertainment from each other. Apparently, there aren't any Conoco's or Phillips 66 Gas Stations in Colorado anymore - guess which gas card we had with us (Thank you Gramps)? Yep, Conoco and Phillips 66 - they have all turned into Loaf n' Jugs. The entire town of Pueblo for sure doesn't have one, I know that because we drove through the entire town, twice -looking for one because the Garmon said so, it lied. But hit New Mexico and holy cow, there is a Phillips 66 on every corner.

Anyhow, here is a picture from our first day, I'm sure by day 5 we will be looking more refreshed and tan - okay so I may look more tan, my aunt already looks well done or she will look even more tan and I will still be white; that's probably more like it.

Stay tuned for days 2-5.

Bringin home the bacon!

Mason was offered a job today - he is the newest employee at Chic-fil-a in Brighton. Thanks to a good word from Triple G (that's what the kids call Grandma Kim) and his excelled interviewing skills (didn't know the teenager could speak), the kid has a job. He starts orientation next week and is nervous but excited about it. I think he has called my mom about 20 times in the last two weeks with questions about interviewing and now orientation. He has been hired to work the front counter, although he thinks he wants to work in the kitchen, crazy kid - stay up front - that's where you'll see all of the hot girls. We are extremely proud of him, I guess he is ready to start earning and spending his own money, tired of asking the rents for money. I will post a picture of him in his cute uniform as soon as he gets it. I have a feeling we will be hearing "my pleasure" a lot coming from him; should be entertaining to watch.

Happy Easter!

Here are a few photos from Easter Weekend. We spent time at Brady's soccer game, fixing up Brian's parents house, dying Easter eggs, Easter dinner with my side of the family, and the Traditional Austin Family Easter Egg Hunt. We had a great weekend, I hope you all did too.

Brian's parents sent me these beautiful flowers for Easter;

Tulips and Iris - my favorites

A few of our favorite eggs... guess which one I did?

My beautiful Kids...

Brady and Emma (her cousin did her make-up)

The little one's looking for eggs

Boys to Men

Who are these young men and where did my little boys go? These handsome boys to men are my little guys growing up in front of my very own eyes... They only need a ride from me now (and that's only for another year because Mason will have his license by next summer). I took them to play golf last week during spring break, they played 9 holes and Mason drove the cart. I basically drove there, paid for them, went and got them lunch, and picked them up, other than that they were just fine on their own.

I called Brian from the parking lot and said "they don't need me anymore". As sad as it was, I was so incredibly PROUD of them. Mason for being such a responsible, caring big brother, and Brady for being responsible and listening to his older brother. They were soo cute (sorry boys but you are still cute to me). When I met them at the 9th hole because I wanted to take their picture, Brady came running up to me and said "Mom, Mason is being so cool and nice to me, I am having so much fun".

So I guess now that they are growing up, they don't need me as much, but they need each other. Brady is so lucky to have Rachel and Mason, even on the bad days of fighting, they always make up at the end of the day.