Fiss & Ockpoos

We capped off our winter "staycation" with a trip to the Aquarium. Before too much exploring, it was necessary to get a photo of Josie with the only Santa she would get anywhere near this year. :)It's funny how the Aquarium's appeal has changed over the last 17 months. When Josephine was teeny tiny, she used to just love looking up from the stroller at the lights and colors. Then, I used to carry her in a sling and she really just enjoyed hanging out on my chest but couldn't care less about her surroundings, and now she is completely engaged in the process like these photos show -
Reaching out to touch what she calls the "fiss" and the "ockpoos" - Trying to pet the otters - Saying hi to the turtles -


Breaking her neck to get a good look at the live shark swimming overhead - And overall just enjoying the whole thing.

We captured this little gem on the car ride home. This is actually the abbreviated version, because I had to cut it down to fit on the blog. Well, let's just say it's clear from this video that even though Josie's vocabulary is growing by leaps and bounds, her favorite word these days is definitely "no". :)

Happy New Year!

In exciting news, Louie & I actually made it out to celebrate the New Year. Grandma & Granddaddy graciously gave up their evening to watch Josie so we could go out for dinner and to see our friends Lee & Alesha from SanFran. Here we are just before running out of the house at 8:25 to make 8:30 dinner reservations at our favorite restaurant - Riverside Korean. The funny thing was that we were um - starving to death - because we normally eat by 5:30. We were actually pretty proud of ourselves that we were out with the "cool kids" not the "early bird dinner special" crowd.

Here's a good one of Lou & Lee looking fabulous in their party hats. :)

And a couple of Louie and I just to prove to all of you that we actually do stay out past dark once in awhile. I promise these really were taken at midnight, not staged in our living room some afternoon. :)

Here's to a fantastic 2009 - which we are hoping brings some exciting changes to our family! :)

Christmas Continued

I had to share a couple of these photos that my sister took at Christmas, then I promise I'll start acting like it's actually January and not December anymore (call it food ole' fashioned denial).
First of all, here is Lyla Anne looking absolutely adorable - I'm sure Manda will get some more photos up on the Three Austins blog soon (hint, hint). Here are Josie and I playing - actually I think we were dancing, which usually has an element of flying just to keep things interesting.

And this was a big moment - Josephine and I having our very first tea party with the adorable cloth tea set from Grandma & Granddaddy. Since this one, we've had several more at home. It absolutely cracks me up that Josie blows on the tea to cool it down before drinking it. Yesterday she even invited her doll and monkey to the party, and even gave them dessert first. She has a very vivid imagination already!

And here is one of Josephine on her awesome new baby grand from Tia & Tio Austin. When she's not trying to stand on the stool, she's actually pretty good on the piano. Obviously she's hasn't composed any masterpieces just yet, but she's very deliberate when playing.

Alright, now on to 2009. I'll get some more photos and videos from the final days of our winter vacation posted soon (or even sooner if Josie stays asleep for awhile).