William Tell Overture for Moms

I got this in an email from my Mom. It's hilarious!

Four generations

Pictured are myself, my Grandma holding my kids and my Mom.

Trying my luck!

I'm trying to win a custom template for my blog. The templates this girl makes are awesome! Wish me luck.

The scooter

My Mom bought Austin a scooter and a bike at a garage sale to ride while we were at their house visiting. Austin loved them both and got some really good use out of them. Here's a short video of him riding the scooter. He was so fun to watch!

Time to say good bye to the tubes

Austin visited his ENT (Ear, Nose & Throat Specialist) on Monday for a tube check. Dr. R has decided that his tubes may now be causing more of a problem than they are doing good. Austin is going to have surgery next Thursday (October 4th) so Dr. R can remove the tubes and repair the hole in each ear caused by the removal of the tube. He will be placed under general anesthesia for the 10-15 minute procedure and will get to go home afterwards. It should provide us with a low key day as he will be pretty sleepy after the procedure. What a great 25 months we've had with the tubes in his ears. Let's hope we don't have any further issues once the tubes have been removed.

Austin also has an appointment this Thursday to have his allergies/asthma re-evaluated. I'm not sure if they will be able to diagnose anything at his regular doctor, or if they will refer him to an allergist. He has never officially been diagnosed with asthma, but his doctor asked us how it was when he had his three year physical. I'm also hoping he has grown out of his milk allergy. He doesn't seem to be effected by milk products like he used to. I have a feeling that we may have a hard time getting him to drink milk or eat cheese if he isn't allergic anymore. He knows that he is not supposed to have these things and will tell you if he is offered either milk or cheese.

We're home again!

I've been slacking on my blogging lately! Although most of you shouldn't be disappointed since we were in Michigan visiting and you got to see us in person! If you didn't get to see us, I apologize for the lack in posts.

I'm proud to say that Abigail did wonderful on her first airplane rides! I was a little nervous because she's not the biggest fan of the car. She handled the flights really well, and the crews really worked with me on the flights by moving us to the rear of the planes so we would have more room. I was also very excited to finally see Austin after not seeing him for five days. I missed him like crazy.

The Friday after we got into town my Mom and I took the kids to the mall and went to the Build a Bear Workshop. Austin made a Superman Bear and Abigail made a Fairy Bunny. They turned out so cute. When I asked Austin what he wanted to name his bear, he blurted out "Pokey" before even thinking about it. After stuffing Pokey he needed a bath. Austin had a blast giving him a bath. Apparently Pokey also needed a lunch before checking out, so he left the store with a sandwich, chips and a cookie in his lunch box.

On Sunday after we got there, which also happened to be my birthday, we had a BBQ at my parents house. We got to see a lot of family and some really good friends. It turned out to be a great day. It was so good to see everyone. Here are some pictures of Austin and my Dad working out in the yard the day before the BBQ.

Monday morning we headed to Grandma and Grandpa Ringman's house to spend a couple of days. We stopped to see Grandpa and Nana Ringman when we got into town. We were very lucky because we caught them just before they left for a two week camping trip. Grandpa spoiled Austin by taking him out to the barn to show him his tractors.

Austin thought Grandpa and Nana's deer were for riding!

On Tuesday we went to breakfast with Austin and Abigail's Great Aunt's Judy, Tenia and Debbie. We were then off to see Grandma and Grandpa Mills.

After seeing Grandma and Grandpa Mills we headed to Grandpa Ringman's work because Austin wanted to see him. Austin tried on Grandpa's hat and was ready to go to work with him.

Austin was such a big boy at Grandma and Grandpa Ringman's house. He slept in his own bed both nights we were there. On Wednesday morning we headed back to Kalamazoo. We then met up with our good friend Sara. After meeting up with Sara we headed to Kohl's for some shopping with Grandma Great. After shopping we headed to have Chinese for dinner.

Thursday Grandma and Grandpa Richards treated us to a day at Binder Park Zoo. Austin had a great time seeing the animals and an even better time riding the train and the tram to their Wild Africa Exhibit.

Friday was our last full day in town so we did a lot of relaxing. We went to Grandma Great's house in the afternoon and then picked up some dinner on the way home. We got to hang out with cousins Lisa, Brad and Braylin for a little bit before we turned in for the night.

Our flights on Saturday went without a hitch. The one flight I was worried about was the flight from Chicago to Dallas. The entire flight generally lasts for an hour and forty minutes. Austin fell asleep on the runway before we even took off and slept until we landed on the ground in Dallas. Abigail also slept for 3/4 of the flight which provided me with some good reading time! We were all happy to get home and into our own beds. For not sleeping through the night for three straight weeks Abigail finally started sleeping through the night again on Sunday night!

We had a great time seeing everyone! Too bad we don't live closer!

More vacation pictures

****WARNING****

This is a very long picture post. I took about 80 pictures the last week. Here are some of my favorites!

Austin & Riley doing what they did most of the week - giggling!

Abigail playing on the bed while the other two goof around!

Baby Brenden as Austin calls him!

Abigail - ready to go to breakfast

Abigail with Grandma & Grandpa Ringman

After we went to breakfast we went to a park so the kids could play. Austin wanted Uncle Ben to take him down the slide.

Abigail at the park

Aunt Gigi, Uncle Ben & Brenden

Austin & Grandpa Ringman

Riley going for a ride in our stroller

Austin & Riley sliding at our hotel. They had a really nice playground at the hotel, the kids had a blast.

Hmmm...what way should we go?

Grandma got to chase the two monkeys around

While Uncle Ben was at work one day we went to the Jefferson Davis Monument. We rode the elevator all the way to the top. Austin got a great view out the windows courtesy of Grandpa!

Grandpa, Grandma & Austin at the Monument.

After seeing the Monument we headed to Chuck E Cheese.

Austin got brave climbing until he got stuck at the top...

At which point his Daddy had to rescue him!

Concentrating on a game

Of course we had to play skeet ball again. Austin didn't get as excited as the last time he played skeet ball, but he still had fun.

Abigail even got a chance to drive Chuck E Cheese around

Like Austin, Riley loves to play play doh. Even Grandpa joined in the fun.

Grandpa made Austin a silly hat.

Like I said before, this is the first time in about 2 years that we've all been together. We had to take the opportunity to get a photograph.

Bill & Ang went from a family of 4 in 2003 to a family of 10 in 2007.

After we took the group photo it was time to say good bye.

Austin & Uncle Ben

Riley & Uncle Michael

Riley, Michael, Ben & Austin

Austin and Riley gave each other a bunch of hugs. They had fun together the entire week. Aunt Gigi has faster fingers than I do, she got a picture of them giving each other a kiss. They're never going to live that one down!

After we said our good byes we headed back to the hotel to pack up our things. Austin got to make the trip home to Michigan with Grandma & Grandpa until Abigail & I arrive on Wednesday.

They would have taken Abigail too but she didn't quite fit in their suitcase and they wouldn't be able to get very far with out her Mommy!