Water Buckets

It's hot in Austin, so playgrounds aren't always an option. Staying inside all day doesn't sound too much fun either. Driving to the pool or splash pad is GREAT but is takes time (and effort for this pregnant momma). What shall we do? What shall we do?

Grab some stuff around the house and VOILA - water bucket fun! At first, the genius naive mom thinks "Sure, she'll just play and splash around the water. She can wear clothes. In fact, let's put her in white shorts."

And then, Gabi quickly showed me how the water buckets were really going to happen.


One day our friend, Kemper, came to join us to play!

I tried to explain to Gabi that Austin is having a severe drought and we had certain water restrictions in place...but...

Feeding the Ducks

We found a great duck pond, brought along some bread, and had some fun!



Then, we found some great cow statues, and Gabi was signing and saying "Moo" by the end of the afternoon and never had before!

Summertime Family Fun

With Aunt Syssa back in Austin, and Mira getting dropped off at camp just an hour from Austin, we got to spend a LOT of time with aunts, an uncle, and cousins this month. Most of it involved food, but no one seemed to complain.

These first pictures got lost in the archives of cell phone land from March, but don't fear - they're here! Gabi and Jacob created beautiful music on the keyboard together.

How do you Roller Derby?

While he could not join us to celebrate in person, we had to CHEERS to the huge accomplishment of Daddy getting COMPLETELY CERTIFIED as an Austin Airport Air Traffic Controller!!!

The authorities should know that the baby was only pretending to drink something alcoholic.

Cheers to Jon!

Everyone else besides Gabi was excited about the fro yo...

Jacob was a huge help with making challah for Shabbat. He helped make the dough, knead the dough, roll the snakes, and braid the loaves. Most importantly, he invented CINNAMON challah, which was delicious!!! (Gabi came along to help towards the end and got herself up on the stool to observe and provide constructive feedback.)

If You've Got It, Flaunt It

Erica: I'll be at my parents' house [a couple of hours from Austin] for a week in July. Want to see me?
Debbie: I don't know how to make a day trip work with Gabi's schedule.
Erica: Could Jon watch her on his day off?
Debbie: That's a great idea! Why don't we meet in San Antonio?
Erica: That would be fun. Have you done the San Antonio touristy stuff?
Debbie: Not since I was young. That'd be great!

{yadda yadda yadda, fast forward through a whole bunch of logistical conversations}

...Aaaand we spent 6 hours talking on a shaded bench in Boerne, Texas. The end:

and finally a real picture

July 4th Weekend

In the summer of 2010, we invited everyone to Asheville to celebrate the July 4th weekend with Team Cohen. We thought that was so much fun, why not have it where it's even HOTTER in Austin?! We already got Team Gilden in Austin, and Nana, Zayde, and Aunt Sandi joined in the fun this time around. 

Nana came first and joined us at our favorite Splash Pad. (Ignore the unfortunate blur spot that the camera chose to adopt.)


We're so cool in our family! {'How cool are you?'} We're SOOOO cool that -

We take pictures at 1:00 in the afternoon proudly(?) showing off that we're still in our pajamas...

We take pictures at 11:00 at night to show how late Alyssa and Craig (and Jon?) have managed to stay with us...

Having fun at the playground. You wouldn't know it from Gabi's face, but we're having fun at the playground.

July 4th arrives, and we attempt our "red, white, and blue" breakfast. (Note the fruit.)

Gabi decides Mommy needs to eat her waffles.

Thank you, Gabi.

No, Mommy, I'll share with you.

Nah, you take the whole thing!

We've grilled out, and now time for the park to prepare for fun, festivities, and fireworks...AND watermelon.

Dad goes in for the photobomb.

Aunt Syssa is known for her amazing shots with her nieces and nephews...good attempt.

Sandi with the photobomb this time

the whole mishpacha present for the fun - Happy 4th of July!

The next day, we head back to the Splash Pad for some cool fun.

Jon for the photobomb

...but now it's a more centered selfie

These 2 baby cuties may have been forced into their BFF-ness, but they really are cute! Gabi and Nora play really well together!

me and Becca

sweet moment with Nora and Momma

Playing at the playground afterwards:

sliding with Aunt Sandi