Awesome August

August started out with a surprise visit from Alex's cousin Russell and his fiancee Shawn as they made their move from DC to Santa Fe. We're super excited for their wedding at the end of September and our trip to Santa Fe!

Jake loves Shawn!

During the first weekend we spent some fun time at the pool with our friend Katie. Jake really loves the floaties but is doing really great with his swimming lessons. 

Allie loved the pool and floating around! 

I realize I haven't posted monthly pictures in a few months.

Jake and one of his best buds, Avi, had swim lessons together. They have the best time together but I feel a bit sorry for their teachers. Jake's actually made some great progress and will hopefully be able to keep it up.

On August 7, we lost my Great Aunt Lois. Lois and Ed, my dad's uncle, lived in Eugene when we moved there when I was 9. Ed and Lois became like grandparents. Even though Ed wasn't with us nearly long enough, they both were important figures and meaningful influences in my life. Jake's middle name is Edward in his memory. Until moving to Eugene we never had family in the same city so being able to walk to Lois' house after school or to randomly spend time with her was special. 

Lois was with me when I found my wedding dress and drove with me to Corvallis to taste cake. It was special to have her as part of our wedding. 

She didn't get to meet Allie in person but I'll never forget bringing Jake to meet her when he was only 2 months old and then he saw her again when he was 2. 

Lois meeting Jake at 2 months

August 2010

On August 8, Alex and I celebrated our 8 year wedding anniversary! My sweet groom brought me the most beautiful hydrangea which are my favorite flower and what we had at the wedding. It seemed only appropriate to showcase the beautiful flowers in one of the blue glass vases from Lois' collection that she had gifted to me. 

What a wonderful wedding weekend we had and what a wonderful life that we're building. We're especially amazed, enamored and totally in love with the little people that have made us a family!

So Miss Allie is standing up, cruising and seems just about ready to start walking! Every time she stands up by herself Jake yells, "she's standing by herself" and then he tells her good job. It's so cute!

Jake remains the best big brother ever! He helped give Allie breakfast and was such a good helper, at least until he got bored and left her alone with the bowl of food. But overall we couldn't ask for him to be more loving or sweet with her.

We finally found our way to Gymboree class with Allie. I think we started taking Jake when he was 6 months old but as I see it she has to climb all over some kinds of obstacles to get around Jake's toys in the playroom. She was a little apprehensive at first but then she loved it and of course babies love bubbles.

After Gymboree Allie and I went out to run some errands. Miss Allie was convinced that my coffee treat was for her. Obsessed with Starbucks already, proof that she is her godmommy's goddaughter!

Jake had a week off in between camp and the school year starting up again so Alex and I split up the days and had some nice time with the little man.

Happily waiting at the Apple store while I got my phone fixed

Last swim lessons of the summer

Hanging at my office

We left for Chicago to celebrate "Great" grandma's 90th birthday on a super early flight. Even with the early hour we had a silly fun time on the flight!

It was wonderful to have such a wonderful occasion to all come together for. It was particularly nice to have my mom, dad and sister together in one place as well as to have time with my Aunt Judy and Grandma. I did a horrible job making sure to take pictures but capture a few moments.

Playtime at Great's house! The kids loved that everything at Great's house seems to be on wheels.

Thanks for the ride, Auntie Rachel!

Wheeeeeeeeee!

There is a long tradition of sitting at Great's piano! Allie takes her turn following in big brother's and many others footsteps.

Bubba looks on as Allie plays

Love those little legs!

Jake's first time at Great's Piano,  9 months

Posing before heading out to celebrate Great at her party! There's something very Jackie O about this shot, minus the basketball of course.

The party was lovely and it was wonderful to see cousins and friends of my grandma's who have know me my whole life. Also, it was Allie's first major Sacks/Goldstein event and meeting the family.

Jake helps Great blow out the candles on her second cake. :)

Even though I failed miserably on my photography duties at the party, Jake stepped in as photographer and caught a few (kind of) good shots!

Jake caught Allie mid-nap

Cute picture, Jake just needs to be taller

At least he got her whole head!

As many of you know, my Aunt Judy was diagnosed with ALS (also known as Lou Gehrig's disease) in May. It is a horrible disease but she is approaching life and her new "normal" with a positive attitude and a strength that is inspiring. On September 16, my mom and sister will be participating in Eugene's Walk to Defeat ALS walk, raising money to support research and assistance to families struggling with this very difficult disease.

If you're able and would like to do so, please consider making a donation by clicking here at the, Walk to Defeat ALS site and by clicking on the red "donate" button on the right side.

Time to head back to Austin!

Entertained by all things Jake!

Silly boy! Those are Allie's glasses.

So good on the plane!

I'm in shock with what a big boy Jake has become. His first day in pre-K. I'm already nervous for kindergarten!

What a fun month but we're excited for a busy September and of course the return of college football. Go Dawgs and Go Ducks!!!

I think they're ready!

July Fun!

July started off with a trip and Allie's first airplane ride. We headed off to North Carolina to celebrate Zayde's 75th birthday! Alex went early so it was not only Allie's first flight but my first trip solo with 2 kids! Of course my first trip solo with 2 kids is when TSA decided would be the perfect time for a full-body screening. Fun stuff!

Overall it was a pretty easy flight and the kids were very good but man, I was exhausted when we arrived and super happy to see Alex!

After a good nights sleep we were ready to celebrate Zayde's birthday and Dorry put on a really nice party.  In addition to celebrating Zayde, we were excited to see Auntie Helen, Stan's sister, visiting all the way from London.

Dorry and Auntie Helen enjoyed a nibble of Allie instead of cake!

The ladies in red!

Jake had a great time playing with Rebecca, the granddaughter of one of Stan & Dorothy's friends. I swear it was love at first sight and Jake asked about her the rest of the trip. Auntie Helen was also excellent at playing cars!

Allie started off slow but then she rallied.

Love this picture (except that Jake isn't in it)

Some snuggles with Uncle Phillip before he headed home to Macon. Jake particularly loves that Uncle Phillip knows so much about the superheros!

We headed to downtown Raleigh with Auntie Helen to do some exploring. We ended up at the Museum of Natural History and it was very nicely done. Jake was thrilled their were dinosaurs and was so excited to run from exhibit to exhibit telling Auntie Helen all about the different animals. 

That's one big dinosaur!

Showing Zayde how you play Angry Birds!

The four of us went for our own little adventure to Pullen Park, an amazing city run amusement park and playground. The park has been around since the 1800's and was beautifully maintained and run. They just added a pavilion for the carousel which is good because it was a zillion degrees out!

Jake rode the carousel at least three times!

Allie and I watched the first time around.

Trip number 2!

Allie's turn. She liked it, I think. 

On the train with my littles! The train went all the way around the park and the small lake where you can rent a canoe.

And a boat ride to end the trip to Pullen Park!

Back at Dorry and Zayde's to rest up after the park. There were plenty of toys to play with, laps to sit in and hugs to be had!

Not quite walking but she's on her way!

We had a great trip and were so happy to help celebrate Zayde's birthday but it was time to go home!

It feels like the summer has been going quickly so we've been enjoying just hanging out and trying to stay cool. Here's a bit of random cuteness for y'all.

Picking out something good to read!

It's hard to drive but they're so adorable in it!

Just crawlin' around!

Post haircut! 

I love to sit in my high chair because it means FOOD!

Jake loves his daddy! Alex was out one evening and he wore his baseball cap all night. He even went to sleep with it. It was the sweetest thing!

I had a board meeting in Galveston so Super Daddy was up for a few days. They all did great and I loved getting pictures and getting to FaceTime with them before my meetings. Thank you, Apple products!

When I got back we spent a super fun day together taking family pictures (I'll post some here as soon as I get them), had lunch and ice cream out, went out to Duchman winery to pick up some wine and then Alex and I had a night out!

At the winery Allie enjoys a different type of white!

On Sunday, Jake and I went to celebrate our friend Riley's birthday with some bowling! Jake liked it but wasn't quite able to find his perfect bowling method. I tried to give him some pointers (not that I'm any good) but it's a work in progress.

We've been watching the Olympics and someone is practicing for her turn! Too bad there's no chance she'll get the necessary height to make the team!

And when all else fails, eat the ball!

Jake and I build "Dinosaur World" the other night. It consisted of lining up all the dinosaurs to watch a show (my iPad) and making sure that Allie didn't destroy the scene. Below Jake describes the scene and then makes a quick exit.