Texas Style Thanksgiving

Yee-Haw! We're back from Texas ya'all! Andrew, Brian and I flew out to Houston on Tuesday and had a whirlwind, non-stop Thanksgiving holiday adventure. It started off on Wednesday with my mom, Andrew and I going to the Houston Children's Museum. Andrew had a great time running around in the toddler room and we even checked out the big kid stuff. It's probably a good idea the "big boys" didn't come with us or we might still be there playing with all of the activities. While we were playing at the museum, Brian and my dad went to poke holes in the sky (go flying).

Thursday was Thanksgiving and my mom outdid herself. We had so much food and their friends Dave and Sherry came over to help us eat all of it. It was a great day of relaxing, watching football and eating!

Friday we all hoped in N437RD (my dad's plane) and flew up to Austin to see the Rober's. Paige, Bill and Hayley were in Texas visiting Bill's sister. We met up at a gorgeous resort in Lakeway, had lunch and let the kids play. Andrew tried to teach Hayley how to run but she just wanted to laugh at him and watch him act crazy. Maybe next time! It was a short visit but I am so glad we got to see the Rober's and go flying together as a family.

Thanks to mom and dad for having us out to Texas. We had so much fun and can't wait to see you again in a few weeks!

Vroom Vroom, mom, make this car go!

Weee!

Playing with the car ramp at the Discovery Museum.

Yeah for Christmas trees!

The Duste/Wing Family

Andrew supplying us with music for Thanksgiving.

Andrew has the coolest mom ever!

Yeah! We're on our way to see Paige and Hayley!

We had to go all the way to Texas to see them.

Wings and Robers

We need to come back in the summer so we can go swimming.

The next AOPA magazine cover
(Airplane Owners & Pilots Association)

Helping Gpa put the plane in the hanger.

18 months

Dear Andrew,

How could 18 months pass by so fast? Too soon, it is going to have been 18 years! For now, we will try to slow each day down and savor every moment of your development.

I look back to the little baby you were and I am amazed at how much you have grown and how much you have stayed the same. You still have the best personality; smiling every day, warming the hearts of everyone you meet and being the center of attention. You have a happy-go-lucky attitude and adapt to new surroundings and people very easily. You are very inquisitive and want to know how everything works or comes apart (you get that from daddy!).

You are talking so much and daddy and I try our hardest to understand what you are saying. Most of the time we can figure out what you want before a total meltdown occurs! You love to play and cars are your favorite toy this month. If you can push it along the ground and make "vroom vroom" "beep beep" noises, you are content. Bella is still your best friend. You let her out of her cage every morning and mommy plays referee as you two run back and forth at top speeds. I take turns reminding you not to hit her when you get excited and telling Bella not to jump on you when she gets excited.

When you are not exploring and running around, I am still lucky enough to get a little snuggle time every day. Each weekend, we watch Saturday morning cartoons while you, daddy and I snuggle under the blanket. I don't know who likes your cartoons better, daddy and I or you! I know the entire morning schedule for the Disney channel now and can sing along to all of the theme songs! You like to dance around and laugh while mommy does this.

Daddy and I are so lucky and blessed to be your parents. You bring us so much joy that I would have never known without you. You make me want to be a better person, a perfect role model for you to learn from and more important, you make me smile every day. Your love, warmth and kisses continue to melt my heart each day.

I love you more every day monkey,

Mommy

Looking back 18 months....

*make sure your speakers are turned on*

A little light reading...

Do you think this is any indication that he is going to read while going to the bathroom when he's older?!

Three Amigos

The Macway's and DeShazer's came over this weekend for dinner and fun. The boys had fun playing with each other. Andrew had to be reminded a few times to be gentle with the littler boys! Once the babies went to sleep, we opened up the wine blending kit that Greg and Michelle brought and tried out making our own wine blends. It was a lot of fun seeing how the different varietals all blend (or don't blend) together! Thanks everyone for a great night!

The Three Amigos

Grevin, Andrew and Brewer

Mommies and Babies
Michelle and Brewer, Me and Andrew, Jen and Grevin

The babies are asleep, it's time for adult activities!
Me and Brian, Greg, Michelle, Jen and Zippy

Blending wine is technical work!

Snapshot Saturday!

Pearly Whites

Andrew went to his first dentist appointment yesterday. I wasn't sure how he would do but in his usual fashion, he made best friends with everyone there and behaved very well. He wasn't too sure about lying down when the dentist lowered the chair but she said to let him fuss because then his mouth was wide open! She scraped a little bit of tarter off of his teeth, polished them and then gave us a new toothbrush. She said everything looks great and his teeth and gums are healthy. We'll be back in 6 months for his next check-up!

He has no idea what is about to happen!

Mom, this sure is an interesting chair.

Andrew was so good, he got to pick out a prize!