Montecito beach trip(during our March visit down south)

 Austin's first beach trip!

 Gavin giving the ocean some sand back!

 

 Aunt Janell and Austin

 Gavin loves his GramaShell!

 Look mommy a rock!!

 Such a cute lil smile!

 Me and my cousin!

 Lexi taking a break with her Mama!

 Brandi, Lexi and Uncle Troy in front of the house Mom and Ric rented for their wedding 12 years ago

 

 Mommy and Austin!

 Same faces! 

 Austins new pose! This kid cracks me up!

 GramaShellllll!

 Hold still Lexi, you have something on your cheek, Ill get it for you....rrrrrraaaaahhhhh!!!

 Me and Uncle Troy

 The boys with Aunt Janell

 Love this Kid!!

9 months old!!

Austin is a very outgoing 9 month old! He still only has his two bottom teeth, but he is using them to eat everything we put in front of him! He always wants to try all of our food, especially Daddy's! He is growing, but is still our little guy weighing in at 17 pounds, 12.8 ounces (9%), and 27.2 inches tall (13%)!  He is a happy little guy crawling and cruising all over the place. He has just recently starting walking with his walker, but I don't know when he will abandon the crawling! He is still happy to see everyone and will go to strangers just as easily as mommy and daddy! But he still lets us know we are special!! Cant wait to see how he changes in this next month!  His monthly pics are getting harder and harder to do since he never sits still! I moved him from the couch to in front of it because I didn't want to have to worry about him lunging off while I was trying to snap a pic!!

 Sitting briefly with all my animals

 Now I want to show you my teeth!

 Atttaaaacccckkkk!

Mommy's attempt to make me feed myself!

Visit down south, 8 month catch up

This last month we spent two weeks down south. We spent some good time with family and said goodbye to our dear Ric-ee. 

 Relaxing in Aunt Janell's hot tub:

At Auntie Adriennes birthday dinner:

Getting to know some more cousins! This is Ric's oldest son, Tyler's, oldest son Miles! Austin loved him! And his sister Amelia!

Auntie Adg's Kiddie table!! LOL

Morning playtime!

At GramaShell's:

Gavin riding the rocking horse backwards!

Lexi and Austin sharing so well! A minute later there was grabbing and screaming!lol

Oh, I found the video! My fav part is Gavin at the end!! Such a good cousin!

Boys being destructive boys! And Austins socks off again!

Playing on the rocking horse with GGma!

Ryan and GGpa

At the park with GramaShell:

Austin loves riding the horsey with GramaShell!!

Gavin wants a turn with Guncle!

 

 Solo Ride!

Austin and Daddy!

This kid LOVES the swing!!

Like father like son. Ipad and Ipod!

Uncle Ryan oblivious to the baby very excited about his Ipad!

Austin checking our Cussie in GramaShells back yard.

At the park with Grandpa Dave:

These boys are going to be best buds!

Lexi loves the slide!

 Grandpa Dave feeding Austin!

Quiet reading time!

Bonfire in GramaShells backyard!

 

Austins first time walking with a walker!!!

 

 Austins new car noise!

Tiring weekend for all of us! Glad we made the trip...love ya Gumpa Ric!

Ric

Dear Ric,
I am so glad that you came into my life when you did. And although I feel that your time was cut much too short, I wanted to thank you for being a part of so many great memories. You were not only my step-dad, but so much more. You were my supporter and fan coming to softball games and driving to numerous tournaments. You were my mechanic, even after you couldn't believe we drove our car up the grade with a busted fan belt. And you taught me to change a tire when we popped it on the curb in front of the house. You were my encyclopedia of trivial information. You were the smartest and the goofiest man I know.  You were my boat Captain on many trips to Catalina, Santa Barbara and the Islands. You were my roommate after college and when most parents would loathe taking a child back in, you welcomed me with open arms. You were my sounding board during morning coffee talks by the pond and evening wine talks by the fire pit. You became ordained so you could be my Reverend on the happiest day of my life. You were a wonderful Gumpa to my baby boy. But most of all you truly loved my mom and I will always be most grateful for the memories that you made with her! And I will love you always for that!  I am so glad that I was able to spend those last few days with you. Talking, laughing, and sometimes crying about older, happier times. I will never forget that last night, I knew you weren't feeling as well and you had to use the wheelchair to get out of your bedroom. You sat up and talked with me, Brandi, Tyler and Mom for a couple hours before we wore you out. And as Tyler and Mom wheeled you back to the bedroom to sleep for the last time, they backed you up over the step out of the living room you said, "Weeeeeee!" with a smile on your face! And that is how I will always remember you! A jokester until the end!! Love ya Ric-ee!