Austin's 3rd Birthday

This is the backwards post of Austin's Birthday... although, this first picture has nothing to do with it.... it's just funny that kids and cats are both attracted to getting into empty boxes.


This being the backwards post (because I haven't posted in so long that I forgot how)... we begin after the presents have been opened. Kaleb and Austin are playing his new Wac-a-mole game.

Jim is demonstrating how to use Austin's new car seat..... fascinating isn't it?

He really got into unwrapping this year.

The pile of loot

Austin and his cousin Kaden. Kaden is very good to Austin and they are great friends!

The train expo was held again on Austin's birthday, and see from his expression how much he enjoyed it.

Again, unrelated.... he likes to sit in the laundry basket and pile it full of other things.... balls, pillows, blankets.... whatever. Kind of fun.

Union Pacific Rail Road Museum

These are some displays at the NE/IA railroaders club. Open to the public on Saturdays

This last one is Austin's "special train" he got for xmas. We've put it on a board and he loves to switch out the rail cars. He's quite good at it.

Let It Snow

It's been snowing for over 24 hours and continues as I type. We had snow drifts nearing 3 ft tall.

Fortunately for me, the whole family helped did us out.

Christmas

Most of my adult life I've been a bit of a Scrooge around Christmas and although I still not a huge fan, experiencing it though a 3 y/o eyes sure can be alot of fun. This year, again, our Christmas was filled with trains.

Santa stayed a little longer to set up a model train for Austin

Austin is learning to be careful with the "special" train.

He got a ton of Thomas stuff too.

One happy little conductor, he played with it all day.

These are just totally cute on him

Happy Boy!

Santa's Winter Wonderland

We had seen an advertisement for Santa's Winter Wonderland at Bass Pro Shop. We had never been there, but knew there was a train, so we headed out. Here is the photographic evidence. Please forgive Austin's crazy hair, his hair was wet when we put his hat on.

The poor deer whose lives were sacrificed to make a neat looking landscape for Bass Pro Shop.

We found remote control Monster Trucks...

Nerf gun target practice....

And Austin's favorite..... the TRAIN!!! He wanted nothing to do with Santa Clause, so you will find no picture with Santa.... who wants Santa when there's a train nearby!

They had this HUGE fireplace by the entrance. I thought it was awesome!

We have about 2 pictures from 2009 of all three of us. Unfortunately, I chose this day to go out without make-up and I didn't touch my hair.

Playing in the elevator. We were there for several hours.... lots of fun!