Rainy day

Memphis has had a LOT of rain lately so Austin has been getting a lot of wear out of his froggy rain coat. We were so glad to see the sunshine today.

Zoo Boo and Mullins Fall Fest

David and I took Austin to Mullins Methodist Fall Fest (which was very cute) and then to Zoo Boo. David's dad, Dingdad, went with us to Zoo Boo. It was incredible. There were thousands of people and so many neat things. I look forward to doing this event in the years to come and seeing Austin love it more and more.

David and little lion at Mullins Methodist.

The roaring lion on the move...

...the roaring lion was trying to catch his prey...

yawning but i thought it looked like the start of a "Roar"

cute pic of his two bottom teeth

Dingdad and A checking each other out

riding the Carousel with Dingdad

A cute lion instead of a mean one =)

The family at the Zoo

On the ride home my little lion was tired!

a lion on the carousel

Austin and Dingdad (Olivia's new name for Granddad) riding the Carousel at LeBonheur Zoo Boo. Disregard the high voice in the background. =)

roaring lion

Our precious roaring lion

Houston, TX

***Very long post***

Austin and I flew to Houston, Texas to visit my 2 brothers and dad. My dad and brother Matt started a catastrophe roofing company called Acumen. The company is based out of Houston right now with offices also in Wichita, Kansas and Denver, Colorado. My oldest brother Chris is working for them right now doing their PR, advertising, and website management. Usually the boys in my family are all over the country (NY, LA, and Orlando) so Austin and I took advantage of the 3 of them being in the same city.

The flight to Houston was great. Austin did wonderful. There was an empty seat next to me so that made it a lot easier for him to spread out and play. (I tried taking a picture of us, not great of me but pretty cute of the little guy).

After we landed in Houston, my dad and Chris picked us up and drove us around for a little while. We saw their office and then headed to a cookout for C-Different (the non-profit my brother Matt founded). Three blind athletes had flown in to do a triathlon the next morning. This is a picture of Aaron and Matt after they finished the triathlon. Aaron is visually impaired. He is one of the neatest people I have ever met. I met him around 6 years ago at a triathlon in Malibu. He is a 3 time World Champion for disabled athletes. He is FAST! Matt guided him at this triathlon and they won. It was pretty amazing to watch.

Austin and Aaron

Matt and Austin after the race

Matt, Aaron, Christin, and Austin

Chris and Austin at the race.

Austin and his new friend Montie who was 16 months old.

My brothers with Austin and I

Pops with Austin

After the triathlon my brother Chris, Austin, and I went shopping at the biggest mall I ever been to, the Galleria. It was incredible. We purchased some cowboy boots for Austin. We then headed to a restaurant where C-Different was having a fundraising dinner. Here is Austin in his new boots.

Montie and Austin were having fun playing next to the beer boxes =)

I thought this picture was funny. Matt and Austin have the same expression on their face.

the whole family

On Monday, Chris, Christin, my dad, Austin, and I headed to Kemah (near Galveston) for a fun afternoon. Kemah is right on the ocean with amusement rides for all ages. Austin went on his first amusement rides. He rode the carousel with mommy.

and a balloon ride that went up in the air

and rode in a plane with Uncle Toph

rode on a train with Pops and Mommy (Chris and Christen were sitting in front of us)

just a cute picture of my little guy on the train

He had so much fun that he fell asleep in his stroller. Pops is pushing his asleep grandson while carrying his granddog in the bag

Since Austin was asleep, the big kids decided to go ride the big kid ride. It was a lot of fun. That's Chris and I up front with Christen right behind us.

We were so sad to leave family in Houston but ready to see daddy back in Memphis.

The trip home was not as smooth as the trip there. Austin missed his morning nap which made for a very fussy guy. The other passengers commented that he did well but he sure did wear me out. He was running up and down the aisle "talking" to the other passengers and then with 30 minutes out, he lost it. The lack of sleep had caught up with him and he was done. I was thankful when the wheels hit the runway.

Thanks family for a wonderful trip to Texas. We loved seeing you and are so proud of what you are accomplishing. Thanks Chris for carting us around all weekend.

sneak peek

A little sneak peek of what Austin and I have been up too the last few days.

Can you guess where we went?

pumpkin time

We went to the Pumpkin Patch and bought our three pumpkins. The big one is daddy's, medium is mommy's, and the small one is Austin's. It was about impossible to get a picture of him sitting by the pumpkins.

Daddy helping Austin place the pumpkins

Checking out his pumpkins

Climbing the stairs

Sitting with his pumpkins

sleeping

I went in the other day to check on Austin and this is what I saw. It made my heart smile to see him sleeping soundly with all his lovies and blanket.

LeBonheur Pumpkin Run

Austin, Maggie (one of my Sophomores), and I participated in the LeBonheur Pumpkin Run yesterday. They did a great job and I am sure it was a huge success.

Maggie and Austin before the run

Almost time to go

Bundled up because it was cold

Grandma Grace

It has been a tough month for the Spence family. 2 weeks ago today David's grandma Siybl passed away and this past Thursday, his grandma Grace passed away. His parents both lost their mothers less than 2 weeks apart. Even though they were both in the mid eighties, it was still shocking for both of them. We are very sad to lose two

great women.

Grandma Grace meeting Forrest for the first time.

Grandma Grace was an incredible woman of strength, Godliness, stillness, faith, and love for others. She had the best heart and really knew how to listen. Everyone that met her, loved her.

Please lift up the Spence family if you have a second and ask God to give them a sense of peace and for them to feel God's arms holding them tight.

Meeting Austin for the first time

Aunt Ellen, Austin, Grandma Grace, and Grandma

I love you Grandma Grace...I know you are so thrilled to be with your Forrest and mine (her husband is who our Forrest is named for). Give my Forrest a hug from his mommy.

Click here for Grace's obituary.