Happy 2009!!!

We are sorry it has been so long since we have updated our blog. A lot has happened but since my time is limited, I will give a brief update and then add some pictures. In November, Melissa and Austin went to Colorado for two weeks to be with her family. I was able to go over for a few days as well and we had a great time. I got to play in the Turkey Bowl, Melissa and I went shooting with her family, and we even got our snow fix for the winter. We had a blast with her family and were so glad we were able to go. My semester wrapped up in December and then we attended Trent's (Melissa's brother) wedding to Amy Corning and that was wonderful -- we are so happy for them! We then went to Las Vegas for a few days to share the holiday season with some of my family and some of Melissa's family as well -- we had a good time there and loved being with relatives and having a break from our normal routine. I then had a couple weeks off so we relaxed, went hiking, Melissa had her birthday (WAHOO!), and now I am back in school and very busy. Austin had his 4-month birthday and at his check-up weighed 19 lbs. 6 oz. and he was 26.5 inches long (both above the 90th percentile so he seems to be growing very well).

Austin struttin' his stuff!

Trent and Amy's wedding!

Chillin' in Las Vegas!

Off the Charts!

Austin went in for his two month check-up on Tuesday. He is in the 85th-90th percentile for his head and length, and off the charts for his weight! He is now just over 24" tall and weighed in at 16 pounds 7 ounces!! Oh how we love our big bundle of joy!

Hot Tubs and Family Time

Most of Landon's family came down to meet Austin the first weekend in November. It was SOOOOO wonderful to have them here!

Here's David and Nellie...

and Kassie...

Austin put on his best face


We had a fun time Saturday-- the boys went golfing in the morning, we all played at the park, and most of them even tried out the nice hot tub and not-so-heated-yet pool here at our complex. (My legs were numb just from hanging them in there- I don't know how they stayed in so long!)










Landon convinced everyone that it felt SO nice to just float face-down in the hot tub, so the other guys had to try it out.

Landon gave Austin a very nice blessing on Sunday. We dressed him up in white, thanks to Angela's thoughtfulness in lending and sending down an awesome suit. Austin was very reverent the entire time, as you can see.

The priesthood holders (except Austin of course) -

Bubba Tracy, Austin Dennis Mauler, Dennis Mauler, Landon Mauler, and David Mauler

(yes, we matched our outfits on purpose) :)

Grease and Our Lil' Pumpkin

A week or two before Halloween Austin and I went with our good friends Becky (the mom), Zoey and Isaac, to a giant pumpkin patch! Her kids are so cute and fun. They loved the mini petting zoo and the hay ride pulled by horses. We got to pick our own pumpkin right off the vine. Austin was so good the entire time (he was asleep for most of it).

We went to an awesome Halloween party thrown by our friends Becky and Matt.

We were rockin' with our costumes as Sandy, Danny, and Austin the "punk"in'. Landon loved being able to wear my jeans!

There was great food.....

Great games......

And best of all, great friends, with some pretty fun costumes too...
(I haven't read "Twilight" but that was the inspiration for this one!)

We were also graced with the presence of most of Landon's family who came into town on Halloween afternoon. His nieces, Savannah and Paris, always have to have what each other has, so they were both Tinkerbell for Halloween...

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

So around Austin's one month mark, we decided to attempt family pictures at the playground. There's Landon doing "The Heisman"!

The other weekend our wonderful friends, Kade and Carlie, invited us to go camping with them up at Mount Lemmon. We went up in the afternoon and were the first ones there so we had a little family hike. It was so much fun to be up in the beautiful outdoors!! We stayed long enough to enjoy chatting around the bonfire for a while and then headed back home to hit the sack at our baby-friendly apartment.

I decided to weigh Austin at his 6-week mark. On the scale at the hospital, naked mind you, he was 14 pounds, 13 ounces! That's 5 pounds in 6 weeks! A solid, healthy boy for ya. We have so much fun with him. This past week or so, he has started recognizing objects and movement more, he has smiled at us, and even giggled, and is starting to get a bit more bubbly/drooly at the mouth. SO much fun! By the way, I just remembered that people can make comments at the bottom of our postings (you can tell how often I blog) and I have just discovered all these nice notes from my wonderful friends, so thank you and sorry if I haven't responded!

AUSTIN DENNIS MAULER!!!

Introducing our new son, Austin Dennis Mauler!!

Sorry we haven't updated our blog sooner but life has been pretty busy!! On September 1oth, just after our last posting, Melissa was out running errands and her water broke. We went to the hospital about 9 p.m. and after 13 1/2 hours of championship quality labor, on September 11th, Melissa gave birth to our beautiful son at 10:30 AM. He was 22" long and weighed in at a whopping 9 pounds, 13 ounces (putting him above the 95th percentile in both categories).

Austin Dennis is healthy and happy and at his 2-week checkup was already weighing in at 10 pounds, 13 ounces so he is getting plenty to eat! Mommylissa has acted like a trooper and now is slowly recovering.

Melissa's mom, Diana, came out for a week and was a wonderful help allowing us to get a little more rest and helping around the house.

Since then, we have slowly been adapting to this new exciting phase. Austin isn't very fussy and is a very calm baby. He does have one bad habit -- his favorite activity (since day 1) is to wait until we open his diaper to change it and right when we do, he showers us with surprises! He thinks it is so funny but we have held some family councils to correct his behavior and he is slowly developing more acceptable habits. We also love having family activities such as 'bath time' -- Austin seems to really like the water (which is good since he'll have a lot of time in the swimming pool here in Tucson over the next few years).

He is such a blessing and we are so excited to have this wonderful addition to our family. Melissa is a wonderful mother and is doing so well -- I just try to stay out of trouble. Life is so good -- we'll try to keep you updated as our little giant continues to grow.

Still waiting......

Hey everyone,

We thought we should post an update in case anyone was curious about our new baby. He/she is still comfortably tucked away and is delaying his/her grand entrance a little longer. We're excited for the big arrival and will let you know when it takes place. Melissa is really being a trooper and she has a great attitude. She's been taking several walks everyday and is doing all she can to help the baby get here; however, I guess the baby will wait until he/she is good and ready. Here's a picture of Melissa and the baby yesterday (on the due date). Again, we'll keep you all posted!