On Earth as it is in Austin....

If this is not a slice of brisket heavan with a mug of joy, I don't know what is.


I love it that my parents live in Austin, it is a fabulous place to visit. The kids and I have been having a wonderful time hanging out at the pool, eating at all my favorite spots (Artz, Maria's Taco Express, Amy's...just to name a few!), and getting spoiled by Gram and Opa. We've been able to hang out with friends and family. Yes, it is hot. Damn hot. Africa hot. I am reminded why I was glad to not spend my first summer here, but that is what cold Shiner is for, right?

A few select photos of our trip so far:

The kids dig in to their Artz Ribs at dinner with Uncle Seth and Aunt Shell. Egan liked the chopped beef and wonder bread. Elena liked the 'pig' and rootbeer.


Elena and Opa checking out the Austin Zoo (a rescue zoo). Up close and personal with the lions.


Egan goes to town in the Austin Children's Museum (very cool place!)


Elena takes in her first live music show at Maria's Taco Express while we wait for our order...it was Gospel Sunday with the Hippie Church playing.

Blacksburg Top 10

Top Ten Things We Will Miss From Blacksburg:

10. Eats Natural Food Store
9. Living behind the church so we can walk on Sunday's
8. Our work friends and grad students
7. Brown's Farm
6. Mia and Xander
5. Shadowchase, Weathertop, Crows Nest, 5Penny
4. Floyd
3. Summer Concerts on the Lawn
2. Child development learning center (Elena's School and wonderful teachers and friends)
1. KBXM

Morning Cuddles

Aren't they so cute in their PJ's!

Heading up. Moving out.

Family is hard at working packing up the homestead.

Official labeler.

Official supervisor.

Summer Vacation

This summer, in our tradition of never having a simple move, we are filling the calendar with complex plans. The weekend of June 13th the kids and I fly to Austin (alone - if you hear screaming over head, it is probably me....) for 10 days. I'm so excited! Jake can't come, so we won't mention the chicken tortilla soup a Cuerros, Maria's Taco Xpress, Margies on the deck, Artz rib house, Central market, fresh tortillas, free baby sitting, Austin live music....Jake will be attending new faculty summer camp (a workshop for new faculty) in Williamsburg. Then Jake drives up to PA to pick me and the kids up from the Philly airport and we all drive to Kutztown (now referred to a Ktown!) to interview nannies and CLOSE ON OUR FIRST HOUSE! Then it is off to Boston for a weekend vacation to visit the Boston Commons and Make way for ducklings statues and attend a wedding of a friend of Jake's from highschool. Then we keep on going for Weld, Maine and a whole month at the lake house. Richard and Dinny have set up a office for us in the new boat house, so we will be able to work on our classes between water skiing and sailing (or napping in the hammock, I don't sail until Richard fixes the Highlander so I can nap on the deck there). Egan will eat sand. Elena will follow Jane around. Then at the end of July, Jake and richard fly back to Blacksburg, load the truck and drive it up to Ktown. I drive down with the kids from Maine (alone in the car for a whole day - can you say DVD player?). My parents arrive in Kutztown to help us settle in and unpack.

Don't we have great parents! They thought they were done when we moved out of college the last time - wrong! We pay them with grandchildren cuddles....it seems to work.

Egan's 9 mo stats

Egan had his 9 month appointment (just a smidge over 8 months).

He is 16 lb 4 oz and 26 inches long. Down to the 5% - 'he's just a little guy.' But what a sweet heart! Right now Egan is very into grabbing with one hand and manipulating things. His other favorite thing is to chew....toys, pacies, and FOOD. He's got no interest in baby food (unless it is cheerios) and no interest in anything except what you are eating. Case in point, last night we had risotto with carrots and radish greens (elena grew them herself!). He gobbled up nearly a half cup and slept great! (yum, cheesy carbs). Tonight we had hamburgers and fries (trying to meet one of elena' friends at 5 guys) - and no interest in his risotto because we were eating something else. He will eat chili with bean and hamburger, but only if you are eating chili. A few solid bets are mini pumpkin muffins, oatmeal pancakes, watermelon, and cheerios. Everything else is on a sister test basis....as in if sister is eating it, so will I. He likes to sit around and pretend chew if you are eating and he isn't. We are trying to figure out what he is doing about nursing....he's still breast feeding about 8 times a day (especially in the heat), but is starting to replace nursing with meals.

Egan is still a little snuggle bug and loves to cuddle in bed in the morning and play with his paci, grab his toes and give you pet. He is starting to babble and will often 'talk' himself to sleep. He has also started to grow up - he's getting bored in the house! (don't worry kiddo, our summer will take care of that boredom!)

He isn't crawling but is starting to strategically flop and roll. We are betting in another month we will have to secure the stereo equipment. We are signing with him, but we aren't as good as we were with elena, so who knows if/when he will get it. Elena loves to do it though. He loves water and his baths but is starting to dislike diaper changes.

Our little dumpling! Sorry for no pictures, but we are going slightly insane here.