Victoria's Voice

Today we participated in a very special event for our very special friend, Victoria. About a year ago Victoria was diagnosed with Childhood Apraxia of Speech and this past year has been a fact-finding, resource-gathering, therapy-attending, book/article-reading, conference-attending, tear-shedding whirlwind for her family. In addition to intense speech therapy, she attends a school where the main focus is speech and language development and she truly works harder than any three-year-old should have to!

The Childhood Apraxia of Speech Association of North America (CASANA) has been so helpful to them, providing information and education as they make decisions for Victoria. Brenda, being the amazing mother and person she is, decided to start the FIRST ANNUAL AUSTIN WALK FOR APRAXIA, to benefit CASANA. Her goal was to raise $1000 this first year for CASANA but she actually helped raise $9500 to fund continuing education and research. Can you believe it? It was awesome to see all the people in support of this great cause and we were proud to be walking side by side with our sweet friend, Victoria Pearl. We sure love you!

Making 'pumpkins' before the walk
Aunt Brenda gave an awesome speech!

Miss Connie walking with Miller and Tatie

We love you Victoria and look forward to next year's walk

Click Clack Moo!

We had a fun, unexpected surprise today after my soccer game. Mommy and daddy took us to One World Theater to see one of our favorite books....on stage. Click Clack Moo! It was so much fun watching the singing and dancing along with the very silly duck. I can't wait to go see more shows at One World Theater.

2 Year Check up

Tate doesn't like going to the doctor....one bit. In fact, as soon as we drive into the parking lot, she has a melt down. The doctor's office has fun shows on tv, fish to look at and tokens to exchange for a prize, but none of that is enough to calm her down. Today was no different and when the doctor came in, you would have thought Tatie's head was going to spin around. Introduce the ipad and voila! Perfect angel. All that drama and she didn't have to get one shot (just flu mist up the nose).

Weight - 26 lbs and 45th percentile
Height - 35 inches and 75th percentile


No more routine visits for another year!

Tate & Miller's 2nd Birthday Party

Miller and Tate are 1 month apart, in the same class, have the same friends outside of class and are going to get married one day. So, it made perfect sense to have a double birthday party. We had an elephant bounce house, pinata, animal golf, the sandbox, frito pies, chili dogs and of course a make your own sundae bar (which you can imagine the mess with 2 year olds) and ice cream cup cakes. Does it get any better than this?

Check out all the donations for Austin Pets Alive!

Pinata time!

Tate had no interest in hitting the pinata - just the candy inside.

Tripp taking a shot

Sundaes all around

Happy Birthday, Miller Miller

Becca MADE these adorable sundae cupcakes!

Happy Birthday, Big girl!

Austin Pets Alive!

Instead of presents, Miller and I have asked our friends to bring something that we can donate to Austin Pets Alive! APA is a rescue shelter here in Austin and the animals there can always use a new toy or pet bed or leash. Mommy and I went on a field trip to Petsmart to find a few donation items before the party - and ended up with a basket full of great things. Fortunately for mommy, nothing living came home with us. I especially liked the pink cat princess collar and pink mouse on a wand. I'm sure the kitties at the shelter will feel so special with their new bling.

Birthday Celebration at Phil's Ice House

Daddy had to go to College Station unexpectedly so mommy took us to Phil's Ice House. Emmylou, Miller and Miss Becca joined us as well for an impromptu birthday celebration with cheeseburgers and Amy's Ice Cream. Happy Birthday, Tatie. It's been a big day for you!

Day Out with Thomas

Thomas the Tank Engine is in Burnet, TX today so after my soccer game, we went to go meet him. When we were in Colorado, I saw on tv that Thomas was coming to Denver but we weren't going to be there then so as a surprise, mommy and daddy got tickets for when he came to Texas. It was a complete surprise and so much fun! We saw Thomas, Sir Topham Hatt and even got to take a ride on Thomas. Of course no Thomas adventure is complete without a new train to add to my collect. Welcome, Madge!

Boarding Thomas the Train
Tatie is ready to ride

Madge - the newest addition to my train collection

It's Thomas! Hello, Thomas.

Good day, Sir Topham Hatt

Tate is 2 today!

Cute girl on the train