Please do me a favor....

The photographer that took our photos (Tracy Robinson) is having a contest for all of her clients from 2009. If you click on the link below, you can read more about it. Basically, she has taken her favorite photo from all of her 2009 shoots and is giving the picture with the most votes a very nice prize and a future print credit (we are having shots of the new baby taken so it will come in handy). And if Austin’s picture wins, and you voted for it, you get a print credit too! Austin's picture is #24. She explains that if you email her at tracy_genovese@yahoo.com indicating that #24 is your favorite photo, then that counts that as a vote; only one vote per person. You can click on the link to view them all. Even if you like another one more, you better vote for ours! :) The contest ends on February 10th so hurry up! I am counting on all of you! Thanks!

Feel free to tell everyone you know…

http://www.doe-ee-bird.blogspot.com/

"You're a hooker"

No, that is not a typo. My sweet little boy actually said this to me! It was not in the context that you are probably thinking however. :)

Let me set up the scene...

Austin and I were shopping at Target. He was in the basket and we were playing this game we do occasionally. Austin will call me something random like a lamp and then I will call him a tree or something. We continue until we run out of ideas. He is totally cracking up while we do this. The convo went like this:

A: "You're a plate."
E: "You're a curtain."
A: "You're a shoe."
E: "You're a chair."
A: "You're a hooker."
E: "What?!"
A: "You're a hooker."
E: "Austin, what do you think that means?"
A: "It is what you hang stuff on." (as he points to the over-the-door hooks in the laundry isle)
E: (sigh of relief) "Oh, you mean a hook."

I have to say I have not experienced too many moments in which Austin has said something embarrassing (yet). He has told a complete stranger that his hair was ugly and he refers to all people who have grey hair as Grandmas and Grandpas (even though none of his grandparents are grey). "Why is that Grandpa wearing a blue shirt?"

Could you ever be mad at this face???

Heflin Happenings

Just thought I would post a quick update about what we have been up to lately. It's not terribly exciting so don't get your hopes up. :) Waylon has is now coaching youth lacrosse and loving it. He has practice though on MWF nights and games on some Saturday and Sundays. I think he is really enjoying this coaching thing and it is great to see so many kids playing lacrosse in the area. I had not idea how big it was down here.

Here is Waylon and his team


Austin has been engrossed with his GeoTrax trains since Christmas. He spends most days/nights upstairs playing. I will post a pic later of his GeoTown. He is also so very excited about "his baby". He continues to ask if his baby is ready yet. I heard him tell someone that when his baby is done, Mommy is going to the hospital to push the her out. He is convinced that it is a girl. He talks about how he is going to teach her how to talk, walk and play. And he will be the one that takes care of her when she cries.

We met Aunt Jenni and family at "Chick-A-Way" last night since Spider Man was going to be there. Austin had a blast seeing Spider Man, Super Woman and playing with the boys. The kids that wore a superhero t-shirt, PJs or costume got a free ice cream sundae. Chick-Fil-A is the best!








Baby Heflin is doing good as well. I went to the doctor yesterday and things are moving along just as they should be. Thank goodness the morning sickness has subsided! It actually feels weird not to be sick while I am pregnant. I kinda feel like something is wrong if I am not sick since I was for so long with Austin.

Texas Bowl

DePelchin Children's Center is the charitable beneficiary of the Texas Bowl so we get to meet the players every year and go to the game. Austin went for the first time to meet the players. As soon as we entered the room, the cheerleaders of both teams swarmed to him like a moth to a flame. They took him around to meet the players and get his football autographed. He had such a good time. I hope to get some more pics up later.





This year, Waylon and I went to the game and Austin hung out with Granny and Papa. It was a great game but a little cold with the stinking roof open.

Navy vs. Missouri - Navy won 35-13. They were actually making a touchdown in this pic. Go Navy!!!!!!!

Christmas Wrap Up

Wow, I can't believe that Christmas already came and went! It was a whirl-wind for us since we had so many places to go. I am not complaining because it was a blessing to see a lot of our family but it was a little exhausting.

Christmas Eve day was spent at Aunt Debbie's. She and my cousin Dodie put on so many activities for the kids to do. I totally love that they do this every year because it really focuses on the kids and it has nothing to do with presents. Austin first participated (barely) in a live nativity scene. He was a not-so-happy shepherd. (he had just woken up from a 10 minute nap and needed some time to adjust) My niece Donna Dean was Mary. Austin would not leave her side. Thank goodness she was there or he would have sat out this year. During the nativity scene, the story of Jesus' birth is told and there were carolers singing. It was too cute!

The Grumpy Shepherd

Once Austin saw Santa he was in a better mood. He can see Santa anywhere and think he is the real deal. He told him again that he wanted roller skates.

The kids made a their own Christmas cookie to leave out for Santa and individual cakes which they put candles in to sing Happy Birthday to Jesus. Santa ended up forgoing the cookie that Austin made since it was loaded with red hots, Pez candy and life savers.

Next, it was on to the crafts. The kids made reindeer food, pine cone bird feeders and painted their own ornaments.

The candy cane and bell are on our tree and will be every year. I love homeade ornaments.

Austin woke so excited to find all the stuff that Santa had left him. He brought just the right amount this year since last year he went a little overboard. :) The train set below had many other parts to it and ended up covering the floor by the end of the day. I highly recommend GeoTrax.

Waylon and I both got new watches this year and Austin has been bugging us for one for a while. He finally got one in his stocking. He has worn it every day since. He can't tell time and most of the time the watch has all zeros on it since he constantly pushes the buttons. We totally love asking him what time it is because he looks at his watch and says, "15" or "8-9". The majority of the day, it is 8:00.

This was one of his favorite toys. He is so intrigued by fire trucks and fire stations so he got the complete set.

Santa came through on the roller skates. Yes, he does have a helmet (not pictured). And trust me, he will need it. I am surprised I was able to get this pic because he can barely stand up in those things.

Merry Christmas from the Heflins

My little monster was ADORABLE in his Christmas program. I completely turned into mush when I saw him up there waving at us from the stage. Not sure I have ever been more proud. That is what being a Mom is all about!

More pics from the program

The joy of giving is so overwhelming! I am fortunate to have a job where I get paid to give everyday and actually see the results. I just finished picking up over 100 toys for foster children that were donated by Houston families. What a great feeling! On my way to work today I was listening to the St. Jude's radio-thon on a local station. They get me crying every year!!! The stories are so compelling. They were pleading to those families that have healthy children to think of those that don't. Say no more...I called in and made my donation. This holiday, I am so grateful to have healthy family and to be in a position to give to those who don't.

On another note; Austin mailed two letters (pictures) to Santa last night in hopes to get on back in return. He saw Santa a few weeks ago and told him that he wants roller skates, a motorcycle, an ice cream machine and another machine (?). I think he is watching too much Calliou. :) Thankfully he is also learning through school and us that Christmas is about celebrating Jesus' birthday.

All is well with baby Heflin (at least that is what the nausea is telling me). I am 3 months along now and have another Dr. appointment on Monday so more on that later.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from our family to yours.

Overdue Turkey Day pics

Waylon got to spend eat lunch at Austin's school for Thanksgiving. Here are the pilgrims of PreK 4. :)



I am quite sure that Austin did not eat anything on his plate. He hates potatoes and everything else that is related to the veggie family.