Happy Birthday Matthew

Before we get to the Birthday weekend celebrations...Kegan finally got to go to his FIRST swim lesson, this year, last Friday.
On our way out the door...with tractors in hand!

He LOVED his swim lessons...did not necessarily love the structure...he would much rather romp and play all around the pool...but he loves loves loves the water!

Ok...back to the Birthday. Matthew turned 33 on Monday, the 28th, and since this is a once in a blue moon year where he was not harvesting cotton on his birthday we took full advantage of it and left town to celebrate...see friends...and have some fun.
Friday night, before we left, the family came over for a birthday meal and cake.
Matthew blowing out the candles on his blizzard ice cream cake...super yummy.

Kegan had been looking at the candles so Matthew was going to give him a chance to blow one out. Well...Kegan and I have been working on the concept that fire is hot and so we don't get near it or touch it...so as you can tell on his face, he was a little concerned that his daddy was holding the fire...and that there was a fire close to him. He kept saying "hot...hot...".

Matthew got some good gifts, but I think the happiest person that night was Kegan when Grandma pulled out a tickle-me Elmo she had bought him off Ebay (an original...still in the box). He LOVES that Elmo!

Friday night we all just crashed, but Saturday morning we were up bright and early, packed up and leaving the house by about 8:30am - on the road to Uvalde...our first stop.

Kegan helping his daddy pack up the boots. Seriously...Matthew had them set out and ready to be put in the car. Kegan was playing around the house, while I was packing and Matthew was loading. Matthew said Kegan picked up his boots to help him out...ahhh...so of course I had to take a brake from packing to set up this cute picture!

We got to Uvalde a little bit before lunch time...just a Kegan had dozed off for the ONLY 20 MINUTES or LESS he would sleep ALL DAY! EEEEK! Back to the day: Matthew and I had traveled up a day early (we were originally going to leave on Sunday) in order to help out a friend move houses. While Kegan lifted and moved all day...I tried to keep Kegan entertained and out of the way. Thankfully the Alderson's have 3 kids, so they helped and played with Kegan.

Plus, Kegan found a great "tractor" to play on. This provided lots of entertainment!

Then there was a great trailer that Kegan and Emily ran up and down and up and down...hey whatever floats his boat and keeps him happy and out of the way of furniture!

Haha...Kegan is ready to move.

After a much needed rest that evening (Kegan CRASHED), we got up had a breakfast (Kegan got his first taste of biscuts and gravy...which he gobbled down. I don't know if he really liked it, or just liked it because daddy was eating it...but either way he scarfed it down. Personally...yuck!) and Matthew went to go help move the last load of items while Kegan and I hung out with Jessica and the other kids! A little before lunch we were off and on the road again...headed to Kyle, TX (a little outside of Austin) to visit with and stay at Kyle and Lindsay's house for the night. A side note...Kegan was so exhausted from the day before he slept the entire way, which with side trips and taking our time...took between 3 and 4 hours...seriously...he was pooped!

Super excited about a cookie we got at lunch!

"Is that ALL for ME!?!?!...PLEASE let it be!!!"

We had some time to kill so off to Cabella's we went. Now, this was a weekend to help celebrate Matthew's birthday so I did not complain that we spent TWO HOURS looking around Cabella's. At least Kegan seemed to really enjoy it all...especially the fish!!!

Take a look at this video and keep in mind he had already been looking at these fish for quite a while...and he was still this excited about it all. It was so cute to watch!

Grandpa...I think we have you a new fishing buddy in the works!

The next morning...Monday...Daddy's birthday...we got up super early and left Kyle and Lindsay's at 6:45 am so we could have breakfast with them before they had to get to work. Obviously Kegan was ok with the early leaving...he got to play with bubbles in Cracker Barrel with his Aunt Lindsay and got a super yummy breakfast!

After saying good-byes we were off again. This time we were headed to San Antonio to meet up with a friend of Matthew's, from his college days, and his family. As soon as we checked in, we were off again, to down town San Antonio. We walked the River Walk (Kegan kept saying "water" as we walked by it) and grabbed some lunch.

Then we were off to the San Antonio Children's Museum. I know, a strange place to go, but when both families have kids...there is only so much sight seeing a kid can happily do till they are ready to get out and go. My friend Stacy had told me about this place and said it was great and since we have nothing like this in Corpus, we decided to go. (If you live near San Antonio, I TOTALLY recommend it...so does Kegan.)

Of course who needs a museum to go explore when the vents along the side walk offer this much fun! Kegan had a blast standing over these things...he would just laugh and squeal!

(Trenton, Kegan, and Matthew)

After the fun walk to the museum we made it, and well I learned...well it was confirmed really, my son just likes to drive.

Driving the trolley set up in the museum.

Driving the plane set up in the museum.

Driving the tractor set up in the museum.

Driving the the big wooden train set up in the museum.

Driving the back hoe set up in the museum.

Can anyone else see the trend going on? Haha...

Here are some other pictures from a fun visit.

Checking out, yes...more fish!

This is a big board that one person pushes in the sticks on one side, and the other person can push the straws back.

Kegan was, obviously, fascinated!

Can you guess who this is?

Kegan and daddy exploring what the heat from their hands can do. So sweet...big daddy hand...little son hand.

Matthew had to get in on some of the driving!

After the museum, we made a quick stop and look around the Alamo. We were trying to get Kegan to nap (no he did not take one) so I held off on the pictures. Finally, when we got back to the hotel around 5:00ish he went down for a nap. He was out! We woke him up around 6:30ish...we were leaving to go out and he needed to wake up so he would sleep that night. Since, it was Matthew's birthday I once again said nothing as we headed off to - The Bass Pro Shop (pretty much the same as Cabella's...just more fishing than hunting stuff) for yes again, at least an hour and a half. I must say though...Kegan loved the trip. He loves all the animal mounts and of course, the fish! After dinner, we headed back and all crashed.

Tuesday morning, up bright and early and off we headed to Sea World! Kegan's first trip!

We got there right as it opened, and I could not believe the crowd already there. Anyways, we looked at the schedule of shows, mapped out our day and headed off to dolphin tank first.

Kegan playing in the water, while the dolphins swam about. None came close enough to touch...but he liked the water either way!

At the shark tank. Seriously, these things are SCARY looking up close!

No fear here, though, Kegan was enjoying looking at all the pretty fish swimming by!

Posing with daddy while checking out some alligators. (Notice the double fence!)

A trip into the world of Penguins and Puffin birds. Brrrr....

Kegan was all smiles!

Thanking he needed to baby penguins to take home as souvenirs. Isn't he a little young to start begging for souvenirs. Luckily, he is easily distracted and these were back on the shelf when we walked out!

Wishing this is how he could roam Sea World, instead of in a stroller.

We went to three shows through-out our trip. The first was a Sea Lion one...were we were in the hot sun, so no pictures were taken. (We spent the time getting Kegan to drink water and shading his face and ours. It was, a good show, though.

Kegan's favorite show of the day, was the second one we went to - SHAMU! One it was in the shade...this made things very pleasant and two...he seemed to really just love looking at the big whales!

I always forget how HUGE these things are! Seriously...enormous!

Yea Shamu!!!

Photo op. of the whale. Look at Shamu compared to the man...see...he is HUGE!

Shamu doing flips and tricks.

To which Kegan...no lie here....said "tada!"...like he knew it was a trick to be amazed at!

I don't remember if he was clapping here or doing the "shamu" signal the trainers taught the audience to do to get shamu to spalsh...either way, I thought he had a cute faceial expression here!

Faimly photo op after the show.


After the show, making our one souvineer purchase of a shamu puppet for Kegan's first trip to Sea World, we were saying our good-byes to Chad, Amy and Trenton (the friends we met up there) when I hear someway call out Matthew's and my name. I looked up and there was my friend Angela (Goo) and her family. Wow...huge park, how crazy to run into people I knew...all the way from Plano.

Goo and Kegan.

After sitting in some air conditioning and visiting with the Livengood family, for a while, we headed off to see who number three for the day - the skiing.

Kegan took right to Mr. Livengood, despite the OU hat...haha! I have said it before, Kegan just really likes guys, and takes to them very easily. He went right to Mr. Livengood and hung out with him while we visited and before the show...and had a blast.

(Alyson, Angela, me, and Matthew) Waiting for the show to start.

Just to show a quick shot of something they did on their skies. They were very good!

Headed off, after the show with the two guys of the group...leaving us women in the dust!

It was getting late so we decided to head home. Kegan had not napped all day....again...and was getting fussy, so we said our good-byes and started out the park. He made all the way out the gate, then crashed...seriously, while walking to the parking lot.

The trip was great, Kegan saw LOTS of new things and really seemed to have a fun time. Matthew enjoyed seeing his friends, and being able to get away for his birthday. I had a great time just being with my two guys and spending time with them. It was wonderful, but we were happy to get home and get back to a normal schedule. Kegan, I believe, was happy to have his naps back...haha!

Kegan Times

With Hurricane Dolly blowing in a couple hindered miles south of us, we have seen lots of wind and rain and have had lots of indoor play time - here are a few stories and pictures for Kegan to remember this storm by.

Tuesday started off as a nice, sunny, hot Corpus day. Kegan of course thought it a good day to wear those boots...again...going on day 9 that we have been asking for and playing in our boots.
Something else fun to do in boots - walk down a slide...although probably not the safest thing to do in boots.

Late that afternoon, after nap time we were supposed to go to our first swim lesson of the summer. Kegan was SO excited when I told him we were going to go swimming and as we got him ready to go. Off we head, to the pool, pumped and ready to go!
Sitting in the car seat...a bit of a greasy face from the sun screen I had slathered on him...still what a great smile, huh!

Much to Kegan's disappointment, though - they had canceled swim lessons...despite the beautiful sunny weather...because the storm was coming in and they had put lots of chlorine in the pool. Why they could not wait just another hour till have his lesson and the lessons after his, I do not know...but I will end my soap box there and just say, Kegan was VERY sad and fussed as we drove away.
Lucky for him, our friends Stacy and August had come over for the swim lessons, so they just came over to our house instead, to play. That helped take his mind off the missed swimming. I had to laugh when August got out of the truck, he had on a fish shirt exactly like on Kegan has...a very loud fish shirt, at that. Well being the silly moms we are, Stacy and I decided Kegan needed to put his own, too, and we took some pictures of the boys.

Great smile...shiny face.

I love this one...it makes me laugh! Aren't they cute!

After playing for a while, it was dinner time, so Stacy and August headed home and Kegan and I had a little dinner. I guess all that playing wore him out because as soon as dinner was over, he came over to me, wanted up in my arms, said "bubbles" and pointed to his bathroom. Off we wen to take a bath, then once we got in his room to get him ready for bed, he said "puppy...blankie"...the two lovies he sleeps with. We read a couple stories, prayed and off he went to sleep...about 30 minutes earlier than normal. Something had worn him out.
Up the next morning...with the wind and the rain coming...we were stuck in doors. Not a problem for this cowboy...he had his boots (day 10) and his horse...what more could a kid want. Yeee-haw!

Well, we finally got ready for the day and just hung around the house and played.
Look what I built...

See...cheeeese!

We needed to get out of the house for a bit, so when the rain let up a little we headed to Wal-Mart to get some diapers. Kegan loved being pushed quickly, in the basket, through the rain. He kepts saying "weee!" After that lunch with daddy...and a nap.
That afternoon when Matthew got home Kegan saw how dirty his daddy's boots and jeans were, and thought he was too clean, so according to Matthew, Kegan went over to his boots, scraped some of the mud off the side of the boots, and swiped it on the side of his socks and on his legs...there...look just like daddy...
What a goober!

With our extra time in the evening Matthew asked Scott, Stacy, and Gus if they wanted to go get something to eat...needed to get out of the house, out we ventured (again, into the on again and off again rain gust) to get some bar-b-que. Much to Kegan's delight, I actually let him wear his boots out of the house...with his shorts. He was so proud to show those things off all night!
On the trip over to meet for dinner Kegan's little hands discovered something new. See if you can guess....
Clue 1

Clue 2 - zoomed in a little

Clue 3 - Daddy's response!

Hahah...Kegan figured out how to roll the window up and down...and up and down...and up and down...great to learn in the rain....haha! After Matthew locked it, he just could not figure out why that little button did not work any more and was getting pretty frustrated till we started looking around for tractors...always a good distraction.
Now, was I a good mommy and did I get pictures of him in the boots, that night...no...sorry.
Today, Thursday, a little more rain (tons in the middle of the night) and quit a bit of wind, so another day full of playing in the house!
His boots had been left in the car, so when he asked for them I did not have them, then he wanted something on his feet, so I pulled out the moccasins Kegan's Aunt Wendy had got him a while ago. He loved them...after he wiggled his toes in them for a bit, inspected the top and bottom of them...and then realized he could run in what felt like socks...but they did not slip....great!
Aren't they crazy looking? Very comfortable though, he did not want to take them off when we left for lunch.

Once again, we met Matthew for lunch for a much needed trip out of the house. I love going to the Cafe in Mathis, we know the people, owners, and many of the customers, so Kegan has a bit more freedom there. His favorite thing to do...play with all of Miss Teri's music making animals

...and dance!

Lucky for us no one in the Cafe minded hearing "My Girl" sung by the pigs about 20 or so times!
Other stories:
1. Kegan loves a massage: After his bath (one night this week) I was putting lotion on Kegan, like always, but he was squirmy and had flipped to his back, but as soon as I started putting it on his back, he laid down, rested his arms beside him, and turned his head...and just laid there...still as a board. When I picked up my hands to stop and turn him over, he looked him, gave me this look like "Why are you stopping?" and fussed a little...I found this a bit amusing so I put my hands back on his back, to see if that was it...and it was...he just wanted his massage extended...haha... Spoiled!
2. Booboo stories: Tuesday afternoon I was finishing up something in the kitchen while Kegan was playing with his blocks in the living room, all of a sudden he started crying and came running over, pointing to his nose, and saying "bump...bump..." I asked what happened and he said "nose...bump"...then proceeded to take me over to the fire place where he had been playing, pointed to the corner, put his little nose down on the the corner of the fire place, said "bump", then "oooo". It was too, cute, I had to laugh...of course while giving him big hugs and kisses to make it better...but it was funny, seeing him act it out.