Summer's Begun

So summer is here and the bean has been a busy, busy boy.

We spend lots of time near water here in hottest place on earth. Fountains are little man's first choice, puddles after the rain are a close second, and pools are third. Although with swim lessons starting up soon hopefully pools will overtake puddles.





We've been doing a bit of traveling as well. We had a roadie diaper change at Ocean Beach last month when visiting the city we miss and are happy to get back to in September.








The visit was too short but the bean decided to give us the slip and hang out in the trunk for a bit. This little stunt was a precursor to the resent "look mom, I can climb out of my crib" stunt of last week. Boo.

We also had a chance to hang in so cal for B's big graduation. Grandma and grandpa got a good work out taking care of the little guy. I'm sure they are even more ready for retirement now. The bean also got some quality LA time with his musical side of the family, great grandma and lots of play dates too. Lots of fun.

We've been bad with pictures as of late - but I'll get better soon.

Mexico Fun

We were lucky enough to spend 5 days in Mexico with some framily (friends that are practically family). We were all there to watch two super cool kids get hitched. It was fabulous and provided the bean with lots of time with his new favorite thing... "wha wha". Yes - whether it's in the ocean, a wave, a pool, the bath, a puddle on the ground, or a picture of a fish, penguin or anything that lives in water... our little guy loves it.

Puppy Love

Is it March already?

Oh how time flies.
We have been too busy to keep up -- so so sorry grandma/pa, nana and grandpop.
Here are some fun moments from the past few months. Stay tuned for a video to be posted shortly...super cute.




The Beverage Boys at Austin Botanical Gardens















Little man with Mom and Dad hiking at Hamilton Pool.







Really getting into the Texas spirit...loving Mom's boots!

Christmas '08 • Big Bend, TX

Happy Holidays from the BeanSpot! We just returned from a 5 day road trip in southwest Texas. Wow...1300+ miles later we arrived home dusty and happy for our own beds but what a good time we had.

We began in Marfa, Texas were we spent Christmas Eve at a fabulous old hotel. Although it was very quite and mostly closed due to the holiday, we were able to talk a little walk around this one-horse town and look in the windows of some of the galleries for which the town is known.




Then onto Big Bend National Park where we had two nights camping for the first time with the bean. At 15 months old, we had no idea what would happen. Were we crazy to try it?

Of course not.
The little man was fabulous. He had a great time exploring our camp site and chilllin' with the trees. Playing with mom and sleeping in the tent.





He even hiked 6+ miles up a mountain top - just to see what he could see.
What a bean!




























We hope you're holiday with family and friends was full of festivities and we wish you all joy and health in the New Year!

Trail of Lights

Austin has been fabulous in December '08.
We were able to watch the leaves fall, take some great hikes and visit the Trail of Lights - a 1.5 mile loop in Zilker Park. Thankfully it is only a little walk from our house so a group of us headed over in mid-December for a night under the lights. The bean didn't quite know what to make of it and ... I think ... was mesmerized by it all.

Monkey Love

I knew it would happen one day. The Bean would find his soul mate, his true love.

For some wee ones this first love is a pacifier or a blanket or a little animal. The Bean digs his paci still, but only at nap time and really could take it or leave it. He's a sucker for a soft blanket, sometimes 3 --- two small square ones that he clutches or puts over his head and one for his little arms and legs. He even had a rather intense infatuation with a 1/2 plush, 1/2 plastic teether toy named Blizzard the Wolf. Oh...but all those flings are nothing in comparison to the love he has for his new Monkey.

The Bean first knew there was something special about Monkey when he saw a little stuffed toy at his friend's house. He would even try to take other kid's monkey toys if they were not paying attention or holding on tight enough.

Oh the joy...now that the Bean has his own Monkey to love!