So Many Mile Stones

Isla getting serenaded by Daddy on a Saturday morning.

Since after the holidays, we all have been just getting back to normal routine without any major happenings other than the usual day to day. So this post is just a hodge-podge of funny pictures and mini updates about the latest. However, the day to day brings big mile stones for Isla. She has started rolling over, she has found her hands and feet, she continues to madly teeth and she just started eating rice cereal! This may not seem like very big things, but these are huge in the life of a 5 month old and her family. Sam has made the big leap from the baby crib to his big boy bed, which he loves. Times are a changing....Now we just need to transition Isla to the crib

I went back to work right after the New Year and am still getting into a routine of work. It's tough, trying to do the best job you can possibly do as a mother/wife as well as being the best you can be in your career. I think this is a balance I will be striving to improve for the next several decades, we'll see how that goes. Big news is that Quinn is working to sell his Filta business and has taken on a new job as a Regional Manager of a waste/recycling plant here in Austin. The actual facility is currently being built. He has had to go to Houston and Dallas for training and will be commuting to San Antonio for a few months until the new plant is built. This is a new and exciting career change for him, and we are all excited about the opportunities and potential this new role has for him. Luckily being small business owner for the past several years, and the connections he has made, had made him a perfect candidate for this job and will hopefully continue to open new doors of opportunity and growth.

Verna is in her last semester at Texas State in the Masters of Health Care Administration Program. She has been working so hard and learning lots, but will be glad when school comes to an end. She has to complete a summer internship, and then graduation!! Sam and Isla love having her so close and seeing her daily. One of our friends little 3 year old boy said, "Sam has two Mommies!" 

Isla in one of the cute outfits from Aunt Anna. What little girl doesn't need tangerine pants! 

One of Quinn's new hobbies, home beer brewing. He is addicted! 

Daddy and Isla checking out the home brew to make sure it's coming a long.

Hello cutie!

She chews on everything she can get her little paw on.

Look closely, you can see Sam lovingly placed his beloved
 Lightingly McQueen car in Isla's safe keeping. This is big!

Mama, I found my feet!

Early morning watching some Sesame Street. He loves to have her snuggled up right next to him.

We always find Isla in these interesting situations with cars tucked in her hands or Lego wrapped around her head. Thanks big brother Sam!

First try at eating cereal. She isn't the biggest fan, it is a work in progress.

"Seriously Mom, I'm done with this..."

Sam is trying to help coax her into eating and showing her the way 

Mad skills this kid has

This will forever be in my top 10 favorite photos. Quinn was picking him up from daycare and took this picture from the door window. Look closely, he's wearing a purple tutu with his flannel shirt. I might have already posted this picture, I love it so much.

So there's usually a weekend trip to Home Depot for some reason or another.
A stop in the lawn mower department is always a must.

Quinn is a lover of all baked goods. Sam certainly comes by this naturally.
This boy loves his sweet treats! But I guess what kids doesn't.

Sam just learned to use the stud finder. He had to pull up his little stool next
 to Quinn's and mimic what he just saw Daddy doing. 

Despite the cold, play time at the park must go on or a cooped up toddler gets cranky.
 Here we are all bundled up and running off some energy.  Thank goodness for slides and bulldozers.

I adore his sweet face in this picture. This was his first night in his big boy bed and he was psyched!! Luckily there hasn't been any late night roaming around his room, but we are just waiting.

A favorite pass time is hanging out in Aunt Verna's room and playing with all of her fun things.
Like chap stick, lotion, bracelets and the best, playing on her bed. 

When I see how they interact together, it just really warms my heart. He adores her and she is so responsive to him. Nobody can make Isla laugh like Sam. Here he is just playing with her hands and he is always wanting to hold her, which is getting increasingly more difficult for him as she is getting bigger and wigglier.

One of Sam's favorite things in the world to do right now is to read cook books with Aunt Verna. He can be in the crabbiest mood, but perks right up after 10 minutes of cook book reading.
They sit in her big blue chair and read how to make cookies, cakes and most recently, pesto.