2004 was a busy year of many fun activities and learning opportunities.
Uncle Ryan got married in Dec of 2003 and there was a reception for him on 3 Jan 2004 in Portland, Oregon. A good opportunity to visit family and meet with cousin Willow.
Austen loves ANYTHING that has wheels and concerns transportation so he was ready to go to work many mornings bright and early.
Seems the boys slept right through February! (or maybe it was mom who slept instead of taking photos!)
Going hiking and camping are great opportunities for playing in the dirt and getting close to nature.
In April, the long, thick hair got a cut. Didn't take long to grow right back again though!
Trying to decide what to be and do when he grows up is a really tough job for Austen. So many choices!
August was a busy month of camping and beach play and a visit from Aunt Kandle and Willow. They will be moving to Crescent City, California and came to check it out. While Chris was in a training meeting for a weekend, Kandle visited her sister and the boys.
May was a big event for the family as they moved to a new town and a new house. Lots of new adventures began. Austen prepared for preschool and plans were made for swim classes, art classes, and trips to the library among other things.
Now there is a backyard with a paved area for riding bikes and grass to play in as well as plenty of dirt and gardening.
Austen appears to be growing into a very active little boy by July of this year. The toddler look has left him and he's become the BIG BROTHER of all time to be looked up to and admired.
Enjoying the sunshine with fresh food at your fingertips must be what paradise is all about!
Always curious, this year Austen was fascinated by volcanoes and requested a volcano birthday party! His mom pulled it off beautifully too!
A little run in with a monster truck necessitated some more hair cutting on his fourth birthday.
November leads right into December and a very busy time of year as the boys made lots of pretty Christmas cards and pictures for their friends.
And lots of cookies and baking to keep busy in the kitchen as well. The kitchen is a favorite place for these boys who love to cook and help both mom and dad prepare meals.
Some parts of Christmas and the traditions were not so well received. Austen had a difficult time up until last year figuring out why we would let some stranger in a red suit break into our house through the chimney while we were sleeping! Once he figured out the guy brings toys and candy, he decided he'd allow it after all. Dhruva has not yet made that decision.
And so concludes the year 2004. Happy New Year!
Can you believe how clean and handsome they look even while camping??
I C U ! Our Dhruva is ever watchful as always, but not willing to look at the camera.
